This place is simply amazing. It was truly heaven sent for our family. It's been almost 5 years since my son first went to the ranch. Literally the toughest decision my husband and I had to make in the 15 years of parenting him. Even though the last year was full of drugs and defiance-it was absolutely gut-wrenching. Sending our city boy to go work with horses and to live with people we didn't even know. We scoured the web for reviews and we spoke with parents whose boys had been through the program and we knew this was it-we had to make it happen. We took out 401K loans and put all of our eggs in this basket. Bar none-best decision we ever made! These horses spoke to my son, this program worked for this headstrong kid because he wasn't forced to do or say anything he didn't want to-including school and therapy. Ron has developed this ingenious program that makes these defiant boys want to participate, want to work hard and want to become men of integrity. This program and these horses give these boys self confidence. I'm not going to say there's no bumps in the road when they come home-there were. However, our son learned life long coping skills used to this day-to make those bumps smaller. I truly have to pinch myself - to make sure I'm not dreaming! I never would have believed almost 5 years after Arivaca our son would be in the place he's at. He has been apprenticing/working for the last 2 1/2 years as a farrier-he is thriving. Thank you seems so inadequate for what we've gained but from the bottom of our hearts we thank Ron, Tyler & the many other staff who made this happen! read more

Our son is a few years out of the ranch and close to graduating from Indiana University. Was his transformation instant and perfect? No. Would he be where he is now without Arivaca? No. He would not have graduated high school let alone qualified for any college. Ron and the Ranch got him back on course with life and his schooling. Our son did attend Wingate Wilderness prior to transferring into Arivaca so that was a nice launch pad. He is still bitter about being sent but I think that will disappear some day as he settles into a nice paying job and life that would not have happened if we had not intervened. Thank us for sending him? That might take a few more years! He did start college with the thought of going into therapy, inspired by his teen years at the ranch, but then discovered the pay scale for the computer world seemed more to his liking. I highly recommend the ranch. Believe me, it turned my thinking up side down. From the initial impression of Ron's dealing with kids breaking windows, to the regularly scheduled phone therapy for the parents. He doesn't seem to get upset with things. He just loves them. And all the staff seemed to follow his lead. Very comforting when leaving your kid there in their care. read more

I have never in my life been more passionate about any organization than I am about Arivaca Boys Ranch! We were lost and broken and fearful of losing our son and then my husband found our village! A life changing journey began on August 19, 2011 and I will be forever grateful for the Angels that blessed us with their service to help our family recover and grow. What an incredible gift the ranch has given us! Sending our son away was the lowest moment of my life, little did I know the best days of my life were just ahead! I quickly learned that the ranch really had a handle on the structure and flow of the boy's daily routines and this gave me great comfort. As the months rolled on we learned so much, and we began to heal. The staff is a group of incredibly dedicated professionals who really have a heart for the business of helping struggling boys find their way to a life of integrity! I cannot imagine where we would be without our Ranch Family! Ron Searles is one of the finest men I have ever met, with a heart of gold! Our son is successfully living a life of integrity and giving back to others. He is currently in college and is hoping to be accepted into medical school! I say RUN DON'T WALK!! Forever grateful! read more

There is no program that is perfect...believe me, we tried several. Our grandson is not a "success story" by the "what we all hope for standard" but even he would tell you, now at 22, his ABR experience made deep and significant impressions on his life for the good. Arivaca was worth every dollar we invested there and we recommend them highly. The Arbinger method and how the ranch practices what they teach and includes the parents/family in the learning is so valuable. And what can be learned from the horses paired with it is pretty amazing. We sent our grandson from Fl. to Az.-- thats a long way having just found the place on the internet! But it sounded like the best fit for our grandson. The admission people were so helpful and reassuring. They gave us referrals to other parents who were willing to share their experiences with us and we got honest answers. I never doubted the geniune care, respect and hope ABR showed for our grandson and for our family. Sometimes a program can be a magic bullet that solves the big issues in a kid, sometimes it is a building block along the way. Arivaca was a little bit of both for our family. read more

This is a GREAT program that really helped our son-- actually, our whole family-- at a time when we needed it most. The program doesn't change your son, it gives you back your son. It lets him be the great person he was (is!) in spite of recent troubles, be they (as in our case) drugs and behavioral issues, or many other problems. This is not a place where you just "park" your child for a year and forget about him; no, this is a place that works with the whole family to change the dynamics, which changes the relationships, which changes the family. I was a little unsure of the equine therapy part initially (this whole thing was new to me), but they know what they're doing and it works. If you're looking at these sorts of places, odds are you're in a dark place. You have my sympathy, as I've been there. I can't promise that Arivaca is right for you (because I don't know what's going on with you and your son), but I can say you should check it out, because it's a great program. My family is living proof! Can't say enough good things, thanks to all! read more

Our son graduated in August 2016. It was one of the most powerful days of our lives, and something we never expected. When we left him, we thought he'd be in a safe place, away from drugs for a while, and then we'd hope for the best when he returned. He had been a great kid, but when he tried drugs, his life -- and ours -- transformed almost over night. Our loving son was gone, replaced by an angry boy who we just couldn't seem to reach. After a year of trying just about everything, we turned to the Ranch in desperation. I wish we'd sent him sooner. I don't know if it is the horses, the staff, the approach to conflict resolution and relationship building, the peer mentoring, the time unplugged to reflect, or the combination of all of these elements, but after his experience at the Ranch, we got our son back, only now more mature, introspective, hard-working, and eloquent. We can't thank the Ranch enough for all they have done for our family. read more

Yes, I'm the same as you. A father who saw his son heading for the bottom with drugs, crime, the wrong friends and getting kicked out of school. These and all the other tell tale signs spelled trouble for a young man that seemed so promising only a short while before. After several arrests and multiple rehabs we discovered Arivaca Boys Ranch. It seemed to be our last hope with a unique old school approach. There is no "cure" you can administer for problems such as these. The young man needs to sort things out himself. Arivaca just happens to be one of the best places for him to do just that. My son is now 5 years past his Arivaca graduation and he will always pay tribute to Ron, Dave and the rest of the crew for helping show him the right course and to how steer back towards it. read more

Arivaca Boys Ranch is a magical place. Between the Arbinger philosophy and the Equine Therapy, there is no better place for a boy to truly have a change of heart. This change of heart will require hard work, not just from the boy who is seeking treatment, but from the family (parents) as well. I have truly witnessed many magical moments of hundreds of boys who come to the ranch. I have made many relationships with both the boy and their families,  which I am truly grateful for. After all, its the relationships and the memories of those relationships, that we get to keep dear to our hearts. Arivaca Boys Ranch prides its philosophy on relationships and making them strong. Arivaca Boys Ranch may not be prefect, but thru those imperfections we truly see works of art. read more

My Son Max was in a bad place when we checked him into Arivaca Ranch for Boys.I will always appreciate the care they gave for my boy.He learned so much about himself and me about myself with the visits to the Ranch! This was a amazing place with Equine therapy and in fact my Son made some friends for life!He developed skills with horses that he went to be a Cowboy in Wyoming with the skills he learned about Horses and life.The staff and Ron really cared about the boys truly a life experience for my Son and my family.I would highly recommend the Ranch did lots of research and Visits before we admitted Max.Nothing is perfect but this is a place where your boy and family can get the skills to hopefully accomplish the beginning of healing and growth.Thx Arivaca read more

Our son was completely out of control and into a life of drugs. My husband and myself visited the ranch prior to sending him out for the program and we were extremely impressed with the staff and therapists. It was a long hard road for our family, and although he spent a year at Arivaca he did require more help in other programs. But, I can say that we never regretted the decision we made to send him. I am pleased to say that two years later he is actually in college and headed in the right direction. This is after wondering if he would actually end up in jail. I highly recommend Arivaca. If your family is in trouble with a boy who is actively defiant, we highly encourage you to take this step towards recovery. De U. read more

Our son spent a year at Arivaca. Ron is an amazing human being. He genuinely cares for the boys and the boys know it. The use of equine therapy and Arbinger are critical foundations. Parents being involved and learning Arbinger allowed us to have conversations with our son I would have never thought possible. As stated by many other parents here, our son did not come home perfect and we still struggled at times. However, it has been four years now since our son's time at Arivaca and he is a 22 yr old, self sustaining, honest, contributing member of society. We have watched him mature and progressively make better and better decisions. We are ever grateful to Ron, Arivaca, and Arbinger. read more

We would not have the relationship we have with our son if it wasn't for Arivaca. He would not have gotten his HS diploma, nor be thriving as he is! The most meaningful part to me is that we can have heartfelt, mature conversations that we never could have had before. The downside is that he wants nothing to do with horses anymore (LOL). He has told me that he knows he is where he is because of all the good work at the ranch. The tools and opportunities we all had as a family continue to this day. We are so grateful! Keep up the good work you are doing for our boys. Simple, profound, loving practices that we all can benefit from. Thank you! read more

I was a boy here for 4 years!! I was trapped here and Ron did it ALL FOR THE MONEY. I went in at 185 pounds 6 feet tall and left 215. I looked like a zombie. The staff were abusive my whole stay, and to this day I still have marks. I came in for something simple bad grades, and left with sucidal thoughts and depression. Don't do it, I was constantly sleep deprived and they fed me jack $h*t. I also got lice, and worms from undercooked food there!! The wanglers don't get paid anything and they take it out on us! The place that's supposed to put you on your feet, threw me off the grand canyon. Save a life, and don't send him there!! Please. read more

Ron and the crew at Arivaca Ranch are absolutely the best in the business. They have a kind yet firm approach. By combining Equine Therapy with Arbinger techniques they truly saved my son's life. My wife has spoken to many parents considering the ranch since my son graduated in 2012 and she has had a big hand in sending many boys there. The key is that the parents participate in this process. They will guide you through healing your relationship with your son. I 100% highly recommend exploring what the Arivaca Boys Ranch is all about. I promise you it will be worth it. It was a life changing experience for all of us. read more

I have been an employee at the ranch for a while now and though I will freely admit it isn't perfect (I challenge you to find a treatment facility that is), it changes lives for the better. I have seen some real miracles in boys' lives and it has made a difference in my own life. Like many things, you get what you put in, but the ranch gives boys and its own staff the tools necessary to change and to get something out of it. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here and hope to do so for a long time. Getting to work with the boys and the horses is amazing. It is a very tough job but a very rewarding one. read more

I had the opportunity to spend a day at the ranch making a video for the ranch. In the process I learned about the Arbinger Philosophy that they use to help the boys and it is amazing what they do for these boys. They really seem to care and where other "troubled youth" programs have failed, they succeed. In addition to their teachings, these boys have the opportunity to train a horse during the boys time at the ranch. I learned of the vast amount of benefits of "equine Therapy" and it is amazing. Overall very pleased with what i experienced and was. read more

Everyone's experiences are unique. I can only speak to mine. Our son spent 14 months at Arivaca Boys Ranch. No school or program is a panacea for all struggling boys. The school required mine and my wife's involvement. The use of horses and the Arbinger Institute equipped my son with skills he uses now and will use throughout life. My son is not "cured"; however, he is self-reliant and reflective of his choices. He is a contributing member of society. read more

Arivaca Boys Ranch is a fantastic experience for boys! Ashton Murga who wrote a review is lying. He has never worked at Arivaca Boys Ranch. Due to HIPPA we can't disclose his affiliation with the facility but his review is a lie down to the amount of time he has claimed. Arivaca Boys Ranch is more than happy to do a tour with any perspective patients and families where you will immediately see the claims made are false. read more

Ron and the staff at Arivaca are the best. The program is top notch. They didn't "fix" our son, they gave him the tools he needed to fix himself. Parents have to do their part too. Any bad reviews you might see are from parents who just couldn't do their part. Everyone in the family has to participate. Arbinger also helped us in our personal relationships with friends and family. I highly recommend. read more