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The
Ranch Program at Salem
Flanagan, Illinois
Jay Hurd – Admissions
866-683-8479
jayh@salemranch.com
The Ranch Program
at Salem is a 9-12 month Christian boarding school for
boys ages12 – 18. Typical students have exhibited: a short history
of substance abuse, disregard for rules and curfews, sexual promiscuity,
running away, body disfigurement, truancy, and/or plummeting grades,
and may have shown hostility or physical violence toward other family
members, and/or have had frequent violent outbursts at home. The
Ranch Program combines a time-proven equine therapy program with
daily chores, school, a “superior treatment program, and constructive
relationships that help to nurture values, self-worth, and integrity
in kids who may be unreachable any other way.”
The cornerstones of Salem’s “nationally recognized” equine therapy
program are the majestic Arabian horses that were once coveted by Spanish
Conquistadors. These horses bring a unique combination of spirit,
stability and loyalty, three essential “building blocks” for lasting
healthy relationships between people. These building blocks help cultivate
the bonds of caring and trust between a young man and a horse that
result in the renewal of the youth’s willingness to engage in “meaningful
relationships with people.” Certified equine therapists used this concept
to design the Salem Therapeutic Equestrian Program (STEP), which
is used as one of the tools to help Salem residents develop emotional
and social growth. These residents participate in all aspects of caring
both for the stables as well as the horses, which provides invaluable
vocational skills and therapeutic benefits. The residents train together
with the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) trained
staff to train, show and market horses across the country, primarily
for use in Class A competitions.
An essential part of the Ranch’s program is the Teaching Family Model
(TFM), a behavioral/cognitive therapy that builds relationships and
teaches skills, thus allowing the residents to experience and understand
the direct consequences of their behaviors. Residents also have individual
therapy at least once a week from a Masters’ level counselor and participate
in regular group therapy 3-5 times a week. In addition, students’ special
needs or concerns are solved on an “ad hoc” basis. This combination
of therapies focuses on positive feedback and reinforcement helping
the Salem Ranch residents to develop the discipline, self-esteem, and
social skills that can give them a real chance at becoming productive
members of society.
To be accepted into the Ranch Program, the parents must commit to be
actively involved in the treatment process, including attending family
retreats, participating in family therapy, and “Common Sense Parenting”
classes, all of which help the parents to reinforce their child’s progress
after he leaves the Ranch Program.
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