Programs

Our Programs

The programs we offer encourage and facilitate interactions with horses and gentle farm animals, allowing our clients to experience the joy and healing that spending time with animals can bring. Animals don't care if you're homeless, suffering from depression, have lost your hair from cancer treatment, or if you have a disability. Their unconditional acceptance provides our clients with the opportunity to take a break from whatever their current life circumstance is and be in the moment with our animals. 

We run programs at our farm in the peaceful, serene nature of Portola Valley on Webb Ranch, and our mobile unit brings animals to client locations. Founded in 2009, Jasper Ridge Farm has been serving children and adults in need in our community through our animal assisted programs, which are offered free of charge.
For more information contact: cynthia@Jasperridgefarm.org

WellnessBuddies

Partnering with mental health organizations, clinicians, and school-based therapists, our WellnessBuddies programs focus on improving the mental health of children in our community.
Our support animals are integral participants incorporated into therapy sessions.

Goals are:
1. Create a safe, comfortable, and accepting environment
2. Improve mental well-being by improving mood and reducing anxiety
3. Teach mindfulness techniques
4. Improve interpersonal/social skills
 

HorseBuddies®

This is a unique experiential learning program where horses provide the mode of learning for special needs students in San Mateo County.
Working directly with Adapted Physical Education staff, classes of special needs students participate in three consecutive sessions.
The goals are:
1. Increase the physical activity of students
Horseback riding and horsemanship activities require movement, balance, and coordination.

2. Improve the emotional well-being of students.
Learning new skills and overcoming fears and challenges improve self-confidence and self-esteem.

3. Improve the social well-being of students
Participating in a group of their peers is a shared experience and a team-building experience during which students encourage, motivate, and support each other.District

HorseHeroes

Therapeutic adaptive horseback riding program for Veterans, including disabled Veterans, those with PTSD, Traumatic Brain Injury or Polytrauma. This program partners with the Veterans Administration Palo Alto Healthcare System. VA Recreational therapists participate along with their group of veterans.

Goals are:
1. Increase physical activity
Horseback riding and horsemanship activities require movement, balance, coordination, and core strength.

2. Improve mental well-being
Overcoming fears and challenges and learning new skills improve self-confidence and self-esteem. Being active in the outdoor environment promotes improved mental well-being.

3. Improve social well-being
Participating in a group of their peers who understand what they’ve been through, supporting, motivating, and encouraging each other improves social well-being. Bonding with a horse, trust is established. Relationships are developed.

The Veterans Commission of San Mateo County named Jasper Ridge Farm Enterprise of the Year in 2019 for providing “exemplary service to Veterans” through our HorseHeroes program. Watch video coverage here.

Animals Helping Children and Adults

This program connects the most vulnerable children and adults with gentle animals.  We serve children facing chronic and terminal illness,  homelessness, domestic violence, special needs,  and living in poverty. This program is offered onsite at our 3-acre farm in Portola Valley.  Our mobile units transport animals to  Ronald McDonald House, to classrooms designed for children with special needs,  and more. 

We serve adults including clients from KAINOS, and the Veterans Administration onsite as well. 

"I never imagined that animals would be so open and accepting -- it really  helped my son engage in the moment and feel cared for without conversation, or added pressure." - Parent, KARA Grief Support 

Jasper Ridge Farm programs exist to enrich the lives of people living with difficult challenges through interactions with animals that provide unconditional acceptance and comfort.
This program connects children from local shelters, medical facilities, and special needs classrooms with our gentle animals. Our mobile unit transports animals to facilities such as Ronald McDonald House, and we also host groups of children for onsite programs at our 3-acre farm in Portola Valley.

"I never imagined that the animals would be so open and accepting -- it helped my son and I to really engage in the moment and to feel simply cared for without conversation or added pressure." -parent from KARA Grief Support who participated in one of our programs with her son
 

Animals Helping Inmates

This unique program serves female inmates at Elmwood Correctional Facility. By bringing a variety of animals to these women, they are given the opportunity to show affection and feel the unconditional love of an animal.

"From smiling to crying, we have some inmates that just walk the perimeter of the animals for awhile, but once they engage it brings out a part of the inmate we don't normally see." -Sergeant Mallett, Office of the Sheriff, Santa Clara County

Virtual Programs

In April of 2020, we began serving several of our regular clients virtually in response to COVID-19. While we have resumed in person visits, we will continue to offer virtual visits for our clients who prefer it. We do this by using Zoom and other video tools, showing our animals doing their regular silly antics, teaching about what makes them healthy and happy, and doing fun activities like feeding the animals treats or going for virtual horseback rides!

"Since we've pivoted to Telehealth in March, we have had the opportunity to do weekly visits with Jasper Ridge Farm. It has been wonderful to see what a positive impact these visits have had. Our teens who are typically depressed and withdrawn, smile and interact more during these virtual visits." -Dr. Pardis Khosravi, Clinical Psychologist, Children's Health Council

Watch news coverage from KTVU Fox 2 covering our virtual programming!
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