SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program

For residents of Illinois, the concept of "veterinary care" often brings to mind traditional clinics focused on treating physical ailments in pets. However, the world of animal-assisted therapy offers a different kind of healing, one that focuses on the profound connection between humans and animals. SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program, located in Barrington, is a unique and impactful non-profit organization that embodies this mission. As a women-owned business, it is an all-volunteer, philanthropic program dedicated to enriching lives by promoting the unconditional love and healing of the human-animal bond. Their work is not about medical treatment for pets, but rather about using specially trained animals—including miniature therapy horses, therapy dogs, and more—to provide comfort, joy, and a sense of magic to people in need throughout the Chicagoland area. This program represents a different, but equally vital, form of "veterinary care" that focuses on the emotional and psychological well-being of the community through the power of animals.

SOUL Harbour Ranch is located at 22093 N Countryside Ln, Barrington, IL 60010, USA. While the ranch itself is a beautiful and clean facility, much of its work is done off-site in the community. The ranch serves as the home base for its team of therapy animals and is a space for training, volunteer activities, and special events. The location is easily accessible to visitors and volunteers, and the ranch is committed to being an inclusive space. The facility offers a wheelchair-accessible entrance and a dedicated wheelchair-accessible parking lot, ensuring that all visitors can participate in their programs and events. A restroom is also available on-site for convenience. As a non-profit that operates on a pre-arranged, by-appointment basis for visits and programs, it is best to contact them ahead of time to learn about their public events or how to get involved. The convenience of their location and the passion of their volunteers make it a special place to visit and support.

The core of SOUL Harbour Ranch's services is its animal-assisted therapy programs. This is not a traditional veterinary clinic for pet check-ups, but rather a service that uses animals to benefit people. Their highly trained and registered therapy animals and their handlers visit various locations to provide comfort and healing. The main services they provide are:

• Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activity Visits: Their teams of miniature therapy horses, therapy dogs, and other animals visit hospitals, nursing homes, schools, hospice centers, and facilities for at-risk youth and disabled individuals.
• SOUL Buddies Animal Therapy Club: A program that mentors Barrington High School students to become registered animal handlers, teaching them valuable skills and fostering a new generation of volunteers.
• Community Engagement Programs: They host and participate in various public events like the "Walk with Me" program at local shopping centers and the "Just Say WHOA to Bullying" initiative in schools, all designed to promote kindness and well-being.
• Police/Fire Therapy Dogs: SOUL Harbour Ranch assists police and fire departments in acquiring, training, and registering therapy dogs to provide emotional support to first responders and the community.
• On-Site Visits and Events: The ranch itself hosts a variety of events, from yoga and hobby horse showcases to community gatherings, providing a magical space for people to connect with their animals.

The wide array of programs highlights their commitment to spreading joy and healing across multiple facets of the community.

SOUL Harbour Ranch has several features that make it a truly special and unique organization in the Illinois region. These highlights are a testament to their mission and the passion of their team:

• Unique Therapy Animals: The program is well-known for its miniature therapy horses, which are a rare and impactful type of therapy animal. These gentle creatures, along with the therapy dogs and other animals, have an incredible ability to connect with people on a deep level.
• High Standards of Excellence: The organization is committed to the highest standards of animal therapy, ensuring all their animal-handler teams are registered through Pet Partners, which is considered the "gold standard" of national therapy animal organizations.
• Community Focus and Philanthropy: As an all-volunteer non-profit, the ranch relies on the kindness of its volunteers and donors. They do not charge for their visits, making their healing services accessible to everyone in the community.
• Positive and Healing Environment: The facility itself is described as "so clean and lovely," and clients consistently praise the "pure magic" and "healing nature" of the space and its animals.
• Women-Owned and Passion-Driven: The organization is identified as women-owned, and its founder, Jodie Diegel, is described in reviews as "so kind and passionate about her work" and as an "extraordinary person." This personal touch and dedication are at the heart of the program's success.

These features demonstrate that SOUL Harbour Ranch is more than just a business; it's a movement built on love, compassion, and a belief in the power of the human-animal bond.

For more information, to get involved, or to learn about their programs, you can contact SOUL Harbour Ranch at:

• Address: 22093 N Countryside Ln, Barrington, IL 60010, USA
• Phone: (855) 408-7685

They recommend reaching out to them to schedule an appointment or to learn about their upcoming events.

For Illinois residents, what makes SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program worth choosing is its profound and selfless mission. While it is not a traditional veterinary clinic, its work with animals provides a different kind of essential care to the community. They offer a unique and effective form of therapy that brings joy, comfort, and healing to those who need it most, from students struggling with bullying to individuals in hospice care. The dedication of the all-volunteer team and the founder's passion are evident in every positive review, with clients consistently raving about the "magical place" and the positive impact on the community. By choosing to support or participate in SOUL Harbour Ranch's programs, you are not just engaging with animals; you are contributing to a powerful movement of healing and unconditional love. The ranch's commitment to high standards, community outreach, and accessibility makes it a truly special organization and a vital part of the Illinois landscape.

SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program

22093 N Countryside Ln, Barrington, IL 60010, USA