LEADING WITH HORSES
LEADING WITH HORSES
LEADING WITH HORSES
WHO WE ARE
Second Chance Ranch, an award winning 501c3 nonprofit organization, has served the community since 1999. We hold the record for the largest and longest standing canine and equine rehabilitation and training/behavior modification program in the Pacific Northwest before transitioning into an Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning (EAPL) program in 2012.
Our programs harnesses the profound therapeutic power of horses and presents a holistic approach to building resilience in families and combatting the adverse health and behavioral effects of trauma and toxic stress. We firmly believe that nurturing creative learning environments leads to tangible outcomes, including increased confidence, heightened motivation and engagement, and the development of essential social, emotional, and critical thinking skills.
Our Executive Director, Katie Merwick, is available to facilitate the visits. Katie has enjoyed more than 43 years as a successful Animal Behaviorist, trainer and author. As Founder and visionary, Katie has served on the board of SCR since 1999. Therapist who have extensive equine experience may opt to handle their sessions privately. Our learning philosophy used to instruct the horsemanship part of the program is based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) – a modernized type of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and fundamental psychology. The developmental processes that include emotional behavior, self-control, perceptual, and cognitive development and sequential learning.
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
Purpose and Approach
Second Chance Ranch assists individuals with cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges to reach their fullest potential and improve quality of life through Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) and related activities. We recognize that these challenges often intersect with trauma, isolation, and hopelessness—risk factors that can escalate to suicidal ideation. Our approach addresses the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—helping participants rediscover connection, belonging, and purpose.
Community Context
Since the pandemic, the Spokane mental-health community has prioritized trauma-informed and alternative therapeutic models to meet rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide. SCR contributes to this regional initiative through evidence-based, experiential programs that combine nature, movement, and nonverbal communication. For many of our most withdrawn or non-verbal guests, equine-assisted sessions have provided the first measurable breakthroughs in communication and self-expression.
Whole-Family and Collaborative Model
Our programming integrates a whole-family approach, repairing dysfunction and strengthening systems of support. Family participation has been shown to reduce emotional isolation and increase resilience—two critical protective factors in suicide prevention. SCR collaborates with licensed mental-health professionals, educators, and veteran organizations to extend our reach and ensure clinical continuity across settings.
Therapeutic Outcomes and Suicide-Prevention Impact
EAP promotes education, personal growth, and life-skill development that strengthens communication, problem-solving, leadership, accountability, teamwork, and confidence. These are not only therapeutic outcomes—they are measurable protective factors against suicide. By improving emotional regulation, social connection, and a sense of belonging, participants build resilience that mitigates suicide risk.
Our programs address a spectrum of mental-health and behavioral challenges, including trauma, PTSD, addiction, depression, anxiety, autism, ADHD, and relational distress. Each of these is correlated with heightened suicide vulnerability when left untreated. SCR’s interventions—grounded in experiential learning and facilitated by the calming, intuitive nature of horses—help participants identify triggers, regulate emotions, and rebuild trust in self and others.
Impact and Reach
Each year, SCR provides equine-assisted programs to hundreds of participants in the Inland Northwest through partnerships with schools, veteran networks, and mental-health agencies, with the capacity to serve thousands. Internal data and partner feedback indicate that over 80% of participants demonstrate measurable improvements in emotional regulation, communication, and self-confidence within six sessions. In 2024 alone, SCR delivered more than 500 therapy hours and hosted 40+ group sessions for youth and veterans.
Differentiation
Second Chance Ranch offers the only EAP framework in Washington State that allows licensed mental-health professionals to customize treatment plans within a structured, research-aligned environment. Our model combines clinical precision with the intuitive power of horses—bridging gaps in traditional therapy and providing a vital, evidence-informed resource in suicide intervention and recovery.
What We Aim To Accomplish
Our ultimate goal is to improve the quality of life for children, adults, active military, and veterans by providing the highest-quality equine-assisted therapies in an inclusive, sensory-rich environment. We empower individuals to achieve functional gains, develop protective coping skills, and experience life-changing growth that inspires the mind, strengthens the body, and lifts the spirit.
By serving multiple mental-health agencies and community partners, Second Chance Ranch extends its reach across the Inland Northwest—building sustainable pathways from trauma to trust, and from crisis to resilience.
Strategic Approach
Second Chance Ranch advances its mission through a focused, multi-layered strategy rooted in excellence, partnership, and measurable impact. We cultivate a collaborative culture that empowers both our professional team and community partners to deliver trauma-informed, evidence-based care. Our priority is to maintain a safe and healing environment—one that supports participants and horses alike—within facilities designed to meet the evolving needs of our programs.
SCR strengthens its reach through partnerships with licensed mental-health professionals, schools, and veteran organizations, expanding access to Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy and suicide-prevention initiatives across the Inland Northwest. We continually enrich and refine our programs through ongoing research, staff training, and rigorous evaluation. Metrics-based assessment tools allow us to measure outcomes such as emotional regulation, communication, and resilience—protective factors that directly reduce suicide risk.
Sustainability and accessibility guide every operational decision. We are committed to equitable service regardless of financial status or background, and we pursue diversified funding through grants, donor engagement, and community collaborations. By focusing on core capabilities—Leadership, Finance, Programs, Development, and Infrastructure—Second Chance Ranch ensures that its mission remains both impactful and enduring: transforming trauma into trust, and crisis into resilience, one life at a time.
Our services are accessible to the community at no cost when enrolled through their therapist. We are sustained by the generous support of our program partners, public donations, and grants to continue our vital work.
Read more about our programs and how Equine Assisted Therapy (EAPL) works
The History of Second Chance Ranch
Second Chance Ranch received it’s nonprofit 501c3 status in 1999. SCR Founder, Katie Merwick, has devoted her adult life to professional animal welfare, as a behaviorist, trainer (including animal actor training), caretaker, specializing in physical and behavioral rehabilitation.
As the Pacific Northwest’s first cage and kennel free, no-kill animal rescue for dogs and horses, SCR pioneered the now popular trend of rehabilitation in a home environment for dogs and use of a foster home network. SCR holds the record for the largest and longest standing canine and equine rehabilitation and adoptive program in the Pacific Northwest before transitioning into an equine assisted psychotherapy program in 2012.
SCR was the first to implement many of the adoption policies and shelter guidelines that are standard today. Using her unique insight and training from The Pacific Institute, she incorporates and applies animal psychology into her training and rehabilitation of both domestic animals and wildlife. Katie has pioneered many innovative solutions for helping homeless animals and providing education to the community.
Methods implemented to train or instruct animals are based on the concepts of fundamental psychology; the cognitive developmental processes that include emotional behavior, self-control, perceptual, and sequential learning. Katie was one of the first to utilize positive reinforcement with associative and cognitive learning along with sequential learning in animal training.
SCR primarily works with sport horses in transition or enrolled in our retirement program. We are proudly the Northwest’s first 501c3 rehabilitation and transitional facility exclusive to Thoroughbreds, with occasional exception to warmbloods and quarter horses. SCR has made an impact on the lives of horses and their owners in our community through direct intervention, education, and community outreach.
In 2012 SCR announced a shift in the mission to discontinue adoptions and operate as a sanctuary to further develop an Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) program, “Leading with Horses." This change came in part to keep up with the current needs of our community. The necessity for mental health programs cannot be overstated. Katie wanted to demonstrate the value of horses beyond the show ring or as a backyard pet. She felt that SCR could be more productive in helping both the equine population and the community by giving them a job! This program was also intended to supplement the budget.
As a nonprofit organization, Second Chance Ranch's primary funding comes from grants, private donations, and fundraisers. Our progress and contribution to the community is ongoing, and always flexible to meet the current mental health needs in our community. We depend on the support and generosity of the community to deliver an outstanding mental health solution and opportunity.
A few of our accomplishments;
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More than 2,500 dogs and horses have been rehabilitated, trained and adopted into forever homes
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Over 500 additional animals have been rehomed through our virtual placement program.
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SCR pioneered many of today's standard practices in the animal welfare industry;
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The first (at least in Washington and Oregon) to use legally written contracts for animal adoption and fostering, and to provide/share generic documents for others in the industry to use;
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The first to use and promote a cage and kennel-free environment at home for the rehabilitation and re-homing of shelter animals (beginning in 1982);
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A nonprofit that provided professional training and behavior work to rehabilitate in a home environment;
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The first to create a safe network of foster homes with guidelines;
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Katie Merwick was one of the first (at least in the PNW) to introduce the same cognitive science and positive reward theories as with teaching humans to training dogs and horses.
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2000 - A recipient of the National American Red Cross “Hero of the Year” award for [Katie's] work in animal nonprofit welfare
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2008 - The first and only Special Achievement Award from the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association for her [Katie's] work with off the track Thoroughbreds
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2011 - The first Charlynn Taketa award from the Thoroughbred Exhibitor’s Association for SCR's contribution to thoroughbred rehabilitation
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2019, 2020, 2021 - Awarded the "Guardian" status by the EQUUS Foundation for transparency and work in equine therapy.
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2019 Thoroughbred of the Year award - won by equine coach, Bruce, for his work in equine therapy. This award was from the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program (TIP).
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2020 Equine Coach and Artiste, Bruce, inducted to The Horse Stars Hall of Fame by the EQUUS Foundation and the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)
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2020 - 2023 Awarded the GuideStar Platinum Seal