Ted

Ted ate his first meal at Mustard Seed Ranch with his hands; hurriedly he shoved his food into his mouth. He was emaciated and had been eating from dumpsters. His life on the streets had taught him to grab what he could get and to be cautious with strangers, especially adults. Ted never met his parents, his aunt’s boyfriend was abusive to her, and Ted fled from fear. Social Services placed Ted in a group home that visits MSR regularly and now he wants to be a Veterinarian. His relationships with horses, people and peers have given Ted a new outlook as he sits for a home-cooked meal talking about the difference MSR has made. Recently he even volunteered to say “grace” before we ate together.

Dinah

Dinah has scars on her arms and stomach that indicate the lengths she goes to, to get rid of her pain. She feels dirty because of the sexual abuse she has suffered. Cutting herself makes her feel better. She arrived with labels and diagnosis’, and fear. Her group home visits Mustard Seed Ranch weekly. Slowly she began to tell her story to one of the counselors at MSR and gained trust when she was treated with respect. She showed skill with horses and learned to laugh and appreciate herself because of her accomplishments. Dinah is beginning to believe God can be trusted and she knows she was not responsible for her abuse. Mustard Seed Ranch is genuinely “a safe place for hope and healing” for Dinah.

Jude

Jude’s father was in prison when his mother shot his “step-dad”. The noise and violence at home left no time or space to study; so he dropped out of school in the ninth grade and moved in with a community of “friends”. As a third generation substance abuser, he tried to medicate his problems away. He tried suicide twice before coming to Mustard Seed Ranch. Jude stayed at MSR for more than a year and celebrated his 19th and 20th birthdays at the Ranch. A special horse and the daily structure of nurture and care provided the safe and healing environment Jude needed to develop the trust relationships that were missing. He completed his GED and is now studying in a community college.

Laura

Laura was bulimic; she satisfied certain fears with comfort food, then purged to mask her overeating. When her grades slipped and her health deteriorated, her parents sought help. A short term stay, in a group home high school provided the necessary structure for learning. Her school’s relationship with Mustard Seed Ranch introduced Laura to group and individual exercises using animal assisted learning. Laura says, “For the first time ever, I’m feeling good about me”!