HorseDreams Youth Ranch aiding youth by providing comfort

Published 10:15 am Sunday, September 23, 2018

HorseDreams Youth Ranch (HDYR) has been a staple in the local community for several years providing pet therapy to young people in need of comfort. 

“We are here to provide a chance for children and young adults to heal from whatever trauma or life experience they have suffered,” said Paula Barnes, ranch owner and horse trainer. 

Barnes, along with husband and ranch co-owner Max, live on the property and describe life with the horses, and the youth they serve, as a daily adventure. 

“Between the kids we work with and the horses with all of their own personalities — life is never dull,” said Max. 

As a nonprofit, the ranch depends on the work of volunteers and the monetary contributions of donors. They have volunteer opportunities for the young and the not-so-young alike, including feeding and watering the horses, mucking out stalls, exercising the horses, and maintaining the grounds. 

“I’ve always loved to ride horses but have never had the chance to own my own,” said John Milledge student and ranch volunteer Blake Daniel. “I enjoy spending time here at HorseDreams and helping Paula and Max take care of the horses. They have treated me like family from the start.” 

Barnes explained that the ranch would not exist without the help from the community, especially the student volunteers who assist with the manual labor. The recent Georgia College GIVES Day is one example of how students showed up to support the Barnes family and the ranch. 

“The GC GIVES Day was simply fantastic for us. The students came in the morning and worked very hard in the stalls and unloaded hay for several hours,” said Paula. “They did work in a day that would have taken us a week or more.”

Josi Giovinazzo, a Georgia College student, has been a volunteer for a couple of years at the ranch. She found out about the opportunity at school and decided to give it a chance. 

“I used to horseback ride when I was younger, so when I found out about HorseDreams I wanted to visit and see if I could help them in any way,” said Giovinazzo. 

The ranch supports children in many ways including giving local schools farm tours and offering pet therapy to sick and traumatized children. One special yearly event is the trip to the Children’s Hospital in Macon with their miniature horses. 

“The children who are mobile come outside and spend time with our mini horses,” said Barnes. “For those who cannot come down, I take my dog up to visit with them.” 

The Barnses not only give their time to children but also to rescue horses that find themselves in trouble — including one named River. 

“River was running wild for a long time in this area and we just happened to drive up on officials trying to catch him,” said Barnes. “It took many hours, but I finally gained his trust and brought him back to the ranch where he has stayed.” 

Although his life started off lonely and on his own, River fits into the Barnes family quite well. 

“He is very well-behaved and just wants to be loved. Much like a family dog,” said Max. 

A Christian based nonprofit, the Barneses, along with their pastor, Scott McNeely, of PathFinders Christian Church, will soon start holding Bible study on Mondays at 6 p.m. at the horse barn. They stress that all are welcome to attend.

“We have a Spirit Night fundraiser at Zaxby’s on Nov. 6,” added Paula. “We will have our minis there, so please come out and give us your support.” 

For more information on HorseDreams Youth Ranch visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HorseDreams-353453235129, call 478-454-8009, or visit them at 208 Kings Road SE.