Why Cheyne Ranch Began

Cheyne Ranch began with work my children could do, wanted to do, and that mattered.

Our animals needed love, attention, training, and daily care. My children could help meet those needs. Whether they were grooming a horse, spending time with a rabbit, or filling a water bucket, their efforts made a difference to another living thing.

As a parent of children with different learning and support needs, I valued those opportunities. I also knew how difficult it could be to find opportunities like these, especially when cost or the need for additional support stood in the way.

When we began sharing our animals with other families, I wanted to share that sense of purpose, too. We could break a task into smaller steps, work alongside someone, and give them time to practice. There was room for different ways of learning and a real contribution for each person to make.

Today, we adapt instruction so people with different abilities and learning styles can participate. We also raise funds to help keep these opportunities accessible, because the cost of providing our programs is greater than what we ask families to pay. Through the shared work of caring for our animals, people learn together, build relationships, and become part of the ranch community.

That is still what matters to me: people knowing they have something to contribute, and having a place where they get to do it.

Sally Ann Cheyne
Founder, Cheyne Ranch