Rotarians learn about Healing Hearts Ranch

    On Feb 9, John Cote from Healing Hearts Ranch spoke to Houlton Rotarians during the club’s weekly meeting. Healing Hearts Ranch supports outreach programming for the Northern Lighthouse, a non-profit treatment facility in Mars Hill aimed at helping area youth. The ranch nurtures the special bond between children and animals as a means for teaching anger management, improving self-esteem, assisting in impulse control, and promoting respect and patience.
Michael and Debbie Clark Photo
ROTARY GUEST — John Cote, center, spoke to Houlton Rotarians about the Healing Hearts Ranch located in Mars Hill. Cote explained that the ranch is a non-profit treatment facility aimed at helping area youth. Cote was the guest of Scott White, left and welcomed by Fred Grant, right, president of the Houlton chapter.
    Teens that are at-risk and children with Down’s syndrome or autism benefit greatly from interactions with the ranch’s Shetland ponies, goats, chickens, sheep, and kittens, according to Cote.
    The ranch is also open to the public by appointment; local companies have challenged their employees to team-building activities involving the animals.    
    Schools are also welcome to register for field trips. The ranch, operated solely by volunteers, provides a variety of programming and services while maintaining a budget of $500 per month, which comes from donations. To learn more about Healing Hearts Ranch or to make a donation visit their web site at www.healingheartsranch.com.