ALL About Central Oregon Wellness Ranch
Our Story
The Central Oregon Wellness Ranch was designed to incorporate innovative trauma focused mental health treatments that are delivered in a rural ranch and non-traditional setting. This unique setting and our programs integrate horses and utilize our equine partners for assisted
psychotherapy as well as other innovative, integrative and holistic modalities. The Wellness Ranch services diverse clients, marginalized, at risk and under-served populations including Veterans, survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence survivors as well as those that experienced childhood trauma and abuse.
OUR MISSION
To effectively treat trauma in under-served communities using innovative and culturally specific mental health approaches to deliver integrative and experiential health practices in a rural setting that incorporates horses in treatment.
OUR VISION
To empower Veterans and trauma survivors through comprehensive modalities and through culturally specific Veteran programs and specialized rural ranch facilities that allow clients the opportunities to achieve their highest level of mental health, physical health and emotional well-being for Veterans and Military Families.
Meet Our Team!
Dr. Michelle Mattingly
Naturopathic Physician, Licensed Acupuncturist
DrMichelleM.com
Hope Porterfield
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, CGACI, CADCIII, LCSW
Our Interns
Taylor Tatum
Taylor Tatum is a graduate student at OSU Cascades and has a strong passion for a career focused on offering equine-assisted counseling to adolescents in the community. The bond between humans and animals can be incredibly powerful and can enhance the therapeutic process in unique ways and she hopes to have positive impact in this field with your dedication and empathy. Taylor’s great-grandfathers both served in WW2 which has sparked her interest in servicing the veteran community in Central Oregon.
Our Ranch manager
Jon Christensen
Jon is our all around ranch manager. He works with the horses as well as manages all aspects of the ranch construction and maintenance. Jon has cowboyed on and off for most of his life. He is responsible for the construction of the Old West town and all the remodeling and construction necessary to complete the ranch and the unique facilities. Jon created the Old West Town complete with a “Petticoat Junction” water tower and a jail. You will see Jon's western touch in the bunkhouse and throughout the ranch as well as in the one of a kind "Yoga Saloon". Jon collects and restores antique wagons and carriages.
You will see Jon around the ranch tending to the horses and driving the Stagecoach and other antique wagons.
Our EQUINE STAFF Professionals
BUNNY
As a therapy horse, Bunny serves as an amazing teacher and stress reliever to abused women and children, trauma survivors and Veteran’s as well as survivors of sexual assault, children that were molested and survivors of domestic violence.. She has also been known to do an occasional in home Hospice visit.
Before becoming a therapy horse, Bunny led an exciting life in show & competitive performing events! Driving, cow horse, cowboy mounted shooting, mountain trails, cutting, reining, reined cow horse, bridles exhibitions to being an extreme cowboy race champion!
PISTOL
Pistol is Bunny’s legacy….. Professionally trained and a lifetime of Natural horsemanship training. Pistol is very smart, curious and playful. Used in therapy sessions for 10 years. Jon and Tammy delivered Pistol and have known him every minute of his life.
SCOUT
Professionally trained by Pat Parelli and his proteges in Natural horsemanship through his 4 year old year. Natural horsemanship training continued through his partnership with Cathy and Scout moved to the ranch to support Cathy through her battle with cancer. 8 years experience as a therapy horse.
NITRO
River Dynamite. Professionally trained and used as a ranch horse until he was 6. 14 years of natural horsemanship training under the guidance of his former partner and Tammy’s lifelong friend, Paige. 7 years at the ranch as a therapy horse.
DUKE
21year old Painted Haflinger. Duke was trained by the Amish and driven for over 15 years prior to coming to the Wellness Ranch. Duke learned Natural horsemanship training when he arrived at the ranch and has been a therapy horse for 6 years. Duke lost his brother Dan to a tumor a few years ago and now is a teammate to both Daisy and Dandy. He has also helped to train Pistol and Scout to drive. He will be key in mentoring the two new driving horses as they learn to pull wagons.
DAISY
20 year old Haflinger. Daisy was driven as a single, in a team of 2 , in a team of 4 and a six up team. She lost her driving partner Annie and we purchased her to be Duke’s new partner 3 years ago. Daisy is the “worker” in the driving team and motivates Duke.
DANDY
Registered as a half Gypsy – the other half is Quarter horse. She has the most beautiful long mane and tail. Dandy is learning natural horsemanship and relational partnerships. She is learning quickly and will very soon be a part of the therapy herd. Her previous career was as a broodmare. She is 7 years old and has had 2 previous foals. She is carrying a foal now that is due mid September. This foal with be one of the new driving horses in Jon’s driving team. Duke will be mentoring Dandy and the new foal in their learning journey to be driving horses. .
DURANGO
13 year old gelding. Trained to ride, drive and shown in trail obstacle competitions. Shown in a variety of classes and events prior to coming to us. Natural horsemanship training and 7 years as a therapy horse. Durango does in home hospice visits.
LITTLE BIT
Mini horse approximately 20 years old. Trained to ride and drive.
Natural horsemanship training for 5 years and 5 years as a therapy horse. Little Bit is our tiniest herd member, is an introvert and can be very assertive with Pistol. (Funny story there….)
YIPPEE KI YAY
Resident therapy and ranch dog extraordinaire!