In 2009 Zuma's Rescue Ranch has served more than 30 at risk youth and their families using Equine Assisted Therapies and Experiential Learning Programs. Zuma's success rate is nearly perfect for setting and achieving goals with children.
Our Gentle Giants after school program received a letter in the first two weeks of participation from a parent, thanking us for the drastic changes in her very troubled former foster child. Another parent states that Zuma's is the first program that has made any difference in her teenage child.
At Zuma's we pair these troubled kids with horses rescued from bad situations. Together the child and equine therapy partner explore the hidden secrets keeping both child and horse from moving forward in the world. Both horse and child have experienced neglect and abuse; with the guidance of a trained counselor these past experiences are explored and and understanding is achieved. The child learns to have empathy for the equine therapy partner and that discovery of a feeling once tucked away is now available to transfer to humans.
Most violent criminals currently in prison have suffered abuse, neglect and abandonment, these prisoners loose empathy for fellow man, without empathy human beings become angry and violent. Zuma's is working to teach young people empathy and put and end to the statistic that 80% of foster children end up in prison.
It is our hope that this request for proposal from the Kenneth Kendall King Foundation is one of many to come helping Zuma's change the lives of at risk youth.
