Testimonial’s
"Wild Souls Ranch has been a huge part of my children’s life for many months now. I have had my children in many programs to heal from trauma that they have experienced due to the life style I chose for many years. Wild Souls Ranch is different than all of them. My children and I are all members of the Round Valley Indian Reservation. A year ago I left their father of 9 years, he was very abusive to my children and I. Our home looked very scary; years of domestic violence and one incident were he was charged with felony child abuse against my two oldest children. He left one child with broken blood vessels in her eye because he hit her so hard and bruises on both of their faces and his continued drug addiction that would cause him in and out of our home for many years. The effects of this trauma has left my children afraid of relationships, sensitive to loud sounds, and most affecting is my children fail to have confidence. I chose to live a very unhealthy life style in front of my children, which I have a lot of guilt for. I used many programs within Humboldt County to help heal my children, I am an ICWA advocate, and I am obtaining my Masters of social work at Humboldt State, so I am very familiar of trauma care for families, but many programs seem to not be reaching my children in a way of healing until I came across Wild Souls Ranch. What this program has done for my children is priceless, the smiles that come from confidence and love for their new found friends at WSR, is incredible. They have gained tools that are not just seen at the stables, they have improved at school, home, and are learning to build trusting relationships with people they encounter. My children stated that they never want to leave Savanah (WSR director) and the horses, they have found a healing, that I feel is very close to traditional practices of native culture, which my children have been drawn to since day one. I want to thank and support the team at Wild Souls Ranch for all they have done for my children. The healing in their heart is a priceless blessing that has changed our life forever…."
- Jessica
Mother of two Wild Souls children
“I have learned many life lessons and a lot about myself throughout the past five years I have been at Wild Souls Ranch. However, the most important thing I have learned about myself is that I will never stop growing and learning as a person. While being at the ranch, I’m always surrounded by intelligent and strong individuals. Each person has different skills that they bring to the table. Being around these individuals has allowed for me to learn significantly or much more than I ever imagined I could. Not only have I improved my horsemanship skills, I have worked through my challenges and have grown as a person. Early on at Wild Souls, I worked through coping with my anxiety disorder. Then as the years went on, I worked on having respect and good communication while working at the ranch. If I hadn’t worked through these challenges then I wouldn’t be where I am today. In order to help other people, we have to help ourselves first. Being able to see my boss and coworkers still growing and learning new things everyday has deeply influenced me to do the same. Like when we attended the Buck Brannaman Horse Clinic. Everyone was learning new skills and lessons whether we were watching or riding, we all learned something new. I will always have a lot more to learn and have a lot more growing to do, but Wild Souls Ranch was an amazing start to that journey. I’m forever thankful to have been able to be a part of Wild Souls Ranch.”
“My name is Sativa Simmons I am nineteen years old and am currently working towards my future and well being. My father was a farrier and had been around horses most of his life. After he passed away from cancer, I moved in with my mom, she had her own problems though and was most of the time incapable of raising a child. Things got harder when I became older my household became unsafe and I moved away from my mom. I've been able to reflect on the past and work on myself through guidance and leadership from Wild Souls Ranch. I'm ready for this long road of grit and dedication to become the best and healthiest me I can be. The things this place has done for me are unreal and unmatched to any program ive ever been apart of.
Wild Souls Ranch has helped me both mentally and physically their colt starting program has brought me immense opportunities such as a full ride scholarship to farrier school. I plan on taking this new set of skills and mindset to better myself and help out my community through horse shoeing. I've learned a lot since I first started coming to wild souls. I take better care of myself im able to accomplish more tasks my time management has improved greatly. My relationships and people skills have improved as well im able to take a step back and assess the situation and make decisions based on that. I look forward to the future and what horseshoeing school has in store for me. It's been amazing having people who genuinely care and want me to succeed in life. Before wild souls ranch I was very self conscious and not completing daily tasks and setting life goals. Even at first I was unsure of what this program was gonna do for me but with some hard work caring people and a drive to become the best me. I soon realized that working with horses is what I want to be doing with my life. I've been fortunate enough to have been given a scholarship from wild souls and a purpose. I look forward to working and creating bonds with my community and at the same time helping horses live a better life. It's a trip watching kids come in and receive help and love with open arms and get a proper base for growing up and maturing. Im beyond excited to start my journey and make a name for myself there's so much to be taught and learned.
Overall being able to come in three days a week and really work and motivate myself has been a blessing I'll never forget what this place and the outstanding people within it have done for my health and future. For anyone apart of making this happen and supporting the people that did I thank you and all your hard work and long days are greatly appreciated. I can only imagine where wild souls ranch will go from here.”