Specialties
Special Spirit is an all inclusive equine therapeutic center, we offer adaptive riding lessons to children and adults, horsemanship classes, farm animal husbandry, equine assisted learning and therapy, animal assisted learning, birhtday parties in our petting zoo, and much more.
Special Spirit-The Learning Ranch is a non profit 501(c)3 organization.
History
Established in 2008.
Special Spirit is a small but growing nonprofit that utilizes the transformative potential of horse-related learning and treatment modalities to improve the quality of life for underserved children and adults with a diverse range of mental and physical health challenges. Through our primary programs, Therapeutic Riding, Equine Assisted Learning (EAL), and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), Special Spirit changes lives, one person at a time, with this high impact, experiential treatment solution for children challenged by autism, cerebral palsy, or other special needs or disabilities. Special Spirit's equine programs have also provided a powerful healing venue for individuals struggling with addiction and recovery, as well as for challenged youth with identified social and behavioral issues that are particularly difficult to successfully address through traditional "talk therapy." Special Spirit is a PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) certified center.
Meet the Business Owner: Eva L.
In 2005, Eva opened Moonshadow Ranch, a small ranch in the heart of Shadow Hills. Moonshadow Ranch is committed to enriching the lives of both horses and people. Eva developed a passion for helping children at an early age. Growing up in her native Sweden, she lead special needs children around the arena at her riding school, as a way to earn lessons for herself. In Sweden, almost every riding school has a special needs riding program and Eva discovered that the effect riding had on these kids was tremendous. In 2007, Eva volunteered at the "Special Olympics" at Hansen Dam, and was reminded of her childhood encounter with special kids. Eva holds a Certificate for Therapeutic Riding from the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association, (EAGALA). Autism awareness is a subject close to her heart, as Eva is the godmother of an autistic boy, who is a tremendously brave person, with a heart of gold.