Love the people, animals, and atmosphere here so much!

Our son has been attending Cheyne Ranch programming now for a year and it is such a welcoming environment. He’s thriving with the independence and skills he’s building both through barn care and riding. It feels like a Home away from home!

Cheyne Ranch is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible and unique organizations I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with. While there seems to be no shortage of riding facilities popping up here in Central Florida, I’d like to highlight all of the ways that Sally, her family and her team are unique and desperately needed within our community. Warning, this is going to be long but it’s worth sharing.

First and foremost, Sally has truly created a safe haven and safe space for kids (and adults) of all different abilities and neurodiversities. When we first started going here, we were in the thick of it trying to find places where our neurodiverse son might be welcomed. Parents with neurodiverse or disabled kids know all-to-well how much time, energy and resources go into finding therapists, specialists and opportunities to help your kid(s) thrive. They also know how few places there are that genuinely work to understand your child as their own person with their own needs, feelings and preferences.

Cheyne Ranch was the FIRST facility my son ever went where, rather than getting a laundry list of complaints at pick-up or multiple calls throughout the day, I instead arrived at camp pickup to receive nothing but glowing remarks about how great, easy, sweet, loving and all around wonderful my kid is. Over 2 years later and I can still vividly remember how monumental that felt and still cry writing about it now.

Sally makes everyone feel welcomed, seen, heard, valued and respected and she gives these kids the opportunity to thrive. She also gives them a chance to do hard things and realize how capable they actually are. Since we started homeschooling last year, my son gets to start his Friday mornings off with horseback riding lessons and then goes straight into a Homeschool Nature Club where he gets to hang out with kids who are both just like him and kids who are nothing like him. Each and every one of them thrive there.

Many of the animals here are rescued and have personalities bigger than most people. The kids get to learn from the animals while also learning the importance of proper animal care. Sally sets clear, easy to follow, ground rules and her entire organization centers around the importance of trust and mutual respect. I’ve seen my son grow SO much from being here and can say without a shred of doubt, that I would continue homeschooling just for his time at Cheyne Ranch alone. Sally also works with local specialists like OTs and Speech Therapists to incorporate classes where the kids can receive therapies WITH the animals. Idk about you but I’d pick that over a classroom any day.

Last, but most importantly, Sally’s heart isn’t in making money out of any of this. She genuinely just wants to create a space where EVERYONE has a chance to learn about the animals, learn how to take care of them and to have a space where they feel safe and valued. This organization exists solely because there was a need within the community that hadn’t been filled and it’s grown to what it is because her heart was big enough to fill it. If you haven’t visited them yet, this is your sign to do so now.