Red Sky Ranch Therapeutic Barn

Red Sky Ranch Therapeutic Barn was founded on a simple but powerful belief: healing happens through connection. Connection to animals. Connection to nature. Connection to safe, compassionate people. And most importantly, connection to hope.

Located in Weld County, Colorado, Red Sky Ranch Therapeutic Barn is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing alternative, trauma-informed mental health support for children, veterans, first responders, and families. We serve individuals who may struggle in traditional therapy settings and offer a peaceful, non-clinical environment where healing feels natural, safe, and approachable.

For many children living with developmental disabilities, trauma histories, anxiety, depression, or emotional regulation challenges, sitting in an office can feel intimidating or overwhelming. For veterans and first responders carrying the invisible weight of PTSD and service-related trauma, traditional therapy environments may feel sterile or disconnected. We exist to offer another path.

At Red Sky Ranch, therapy does not begin across a desk — it begins in a barn.

Our model centers around professionally guided therapy sessions conducted in the presence of carefully selected therapy animals, including micro mini cows, miniature equines, and other gentle barn companions. Clients may attend sessions with their own licensed therapist or work with a licensed mental health professional affiliated with the ranch. Sessions take place in a converted, thoughtfully designed therapy stall that provides privacy while maintaining the calming presence of animals nearby.

Animal-assisted therapy is not simply about interacting with animals. It is about creating emotional safety. Animals offer nonjudgmental companionship. They respond to calm energy, patience, and presence. They help clients regulate breathing, reduce anxiety, and build trust. For individuals who have experienced trauma, this sense of safety can be transformative.

Our programs are intentionally designed to be inclusive and accessible. We serve children ages 5–17 with disabilities, behavioral challenges, trauma histories, and emotional health needs. We also serve veterans and first responders navigating PTSD, depression, anxiety, and reintegration challenges. We are committed to removing barriers to care by working toward scholarship programs, community partnerships, and flexible access options.

Red Sky Ranch was built not only from professional vision, but from lived experience. Our founder understands firsthand the challenges of navigating traditional therapy systems and the frustration of environments that do not always feel supportive or effective. That personal insight shapes everything we do. We are committed to creating a space where individuals feel seen, understood, and safe.

Our long-term vision extends beyond a single therapy stall. We aim to construct a dedicated therapeutic barn designed specifically for mental health services, incorporating private session areas, accessible design, and expanded animal-assisted programming. Future plans include repurposing grain silos into temporary retreat-style housing to provide immersive healing experiences and generate sustainable revenue to reduce dependence on grants and donations.

Sustainability and stewardship are core to our values. As a nonprofit organization, we operate with transparency, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to measurable outcomes. We track participation, monitor symptom improvement through pre- and post-session assessments, and gather qualitative feedback from clients and families to ensure we are delivering meaningful impact.

But beyond metrics, what defines us is heart.

We believe a child who struggles to make eye contact may first connect by brushing a miniature horse. We believe a veteran who finds it hard to speak about trauma may find calm simply standing beside a quiet animal. We believe that healing can begin in small, powerful moments — a slowed breath, a softened posture, a shared silence.

Red Sky Ranch Therapeutic Barn is more than a facility. It is a safe place. A reset. A bridge between traditional therapy and something deeper.

We are building a community-centered space where compassion leads, dignity matters, and healing feels possible.

Whether you are a family seeking support, a therapist looking for an alternative setting, a veteran searching for understanding, or a donor wanting to make a lasting impact — we invite you to stand with us.

Together, we can create a place where healing happens naturally.