Our Story

 

Spirit Horse Ranch started with an idea Keryl Mines, a licensed social worker and school social worker at the Platttsmouth School, had about using horses to help struggling young people. Keryl knew that horses had always been therapeutic for her when she had struggles in her own life. She thought to herself that she could not have been the only person to think about using horses in therapy. So, after a little research and finding EAGALA, she convinced her co-worker at school, Bill Fitzpatrick, to get in a van and drive to Minneapolis with her to attend an EAGALA training.

 

Bill was not so sure about this horse therapy idea, as he packed a bag full of books with the plan to catch up on some reading. However, after the first day of listening, watching and interacting with the horses, he understood the power of using horses to help heal life's hurts. 

 

Following that training in 2000, Keryl and Bill worked with many kids in and around the Omaha metro area using the healing power of horses to make a positive impact on their lives. Their work with youth and horses was done on a part-time basis as they continued to work full-time at the Plattsmouth Schools.

 

In 2014, Bill retired from Spirit Horse Ranch and the Plattsmouth Schools and is now enjoying the warm weather in San Antonio, Texas. Keryl Mines continues the work they started together facilitating groups of Omaha metro youth at Spirit Horse Ranch.