Healing: Farm works to bring rescued animals, people who need help together
Sitting among 50 acres of pasture and woodlands off Cutcane Road in Mineral Bluff lies the obscure sanctuary of the Healing Farm Foundation.
A registered non-profit organization, the foundation is dedicated to rescuing farm animals for the purpose of providing therapy services to those who may benefit the most.
About seven years ago, Dr. Kyle and Beth Raque purchased the land with intentions to develop the property into much of what it is today, which has took nearly six years to develop as they recently celebrated one year.
The Raque’s have a team or four therapists and two staff members on the farm.
Together, they are actively treating children as young as three and adults with conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Therapy is provided under the name Three Creeks Wilderness Therapy, and they are also associated with Blue Ridge Psychological Services.
While most major insurance plans are accepted and patients can also self pay, the foundation is dedicated to providing scholarships for patients who either cannot afford the service or meet Medicaid qualifications.
The scholarships provide a six-week program for animal and equine therapy, and they currently are providing for 25 individuals through this program.
Aside from the scholarship patients, their therapists may see over 80 patients a week on the farm.
“A lot of regular therapy people want to see the animals too,” Raque said.
Animal and equine therapy is designed to help patients “foster relationships with animals and people,” Kyle Raque said.
More specifically, and with the horses, they have an obstacle course set up that helps individuals to gain trust, understand boundaries and empathize.
Beth Raque said that on the obstacle course, she will blindfold the participant and guide them with vocal directions, then she will have them do the same for her.
Additionally, they are developing hiking trails for meditative walks and are also working on the “Rainbow Bridge” that will cross over Cutcane Creek, which runs through the property.
The bridge will serve as a memorial for those who have lost a beloved pet.
Currently, 30 acres of the land is exclusive to the initiative, and aside from horses, the farm is also home to chickens, pigs, goats, cows, donkeys, miniature horses and, of course, a farm dog Irie.
In order to provide the scholarships and care for the animals, the foundation is always looking for more volunteers and donors.
To raise funds, they host an annual barbecue on the farm each September, participate in Paws in the Park in October, and host a poker night at the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge in the spring.
They also plan on hosting a Dinner with a Purpose at a local restaurant, which they did this year, and they participate in other fundraising activities when possible.
The Healing Farm Foundation is governed by a board of directors which includes the Raque’s, Doug Demoura, Anne Williamson, Lynne Whittington, Lynn Brincks, Marti Nunn, Sarah Owensby and Nancy Goodson.
Additional information about the farm and services provided are available by visiting www.healingfarmfoundation.org.
Anyone interested in therapy, donating or helping out may contact 678-697-1120 or 3creeksprogram@gmail.com.