PALS: People & Animals Learning Success
Animal care, life skills, and meaningful connections for children and adults of all abilities.
At Cheyne Ranch, our PALS program brings children and adults into the daily life of our ranch, where caring for animals creates opportunities to learn new skills, build confidence, and form meaningful relationships.
Through hands-on activities and ongoing participation, people discover what they can do and how much they have to contribute.
More Than Spending Time With Animals
Our animals give people a reason to get involved.
Participants might groom a horse, lead it through the barn, feed chickens, care for rabbits, or help prepare an animal's living space.
These activities create natural opportunities to practice communication, patience, problem-solving, responsibility, and working alongside others.
And there is real satisfaction in knowing your work matters.
Learning at Your Own Pace
Every participant comes with different abilities, interests, and goals.
Some are learning to feel comfortable around animals. Others are developing their horsemanship skills, becoming more independent with animal care, or preparing for future riding lessons or volunteer opportunities.
We adapt activities and expectations while encouraging everyone to learn, participate, and discover what they can do.
Individual PALS Sessions
Individual PALS sessions pair each participant with an instructor for one-on-one learning and hands-on experiences with our animals. Activities are tailored to each participant's interests, abilities, and goals, with opportunities to practice animal care, horse handling, and everyday barn routines.
Some participants work toward riding or volunteering, while others continue building confidence and enjoying their relationships with the animals.
Individual PALS Details
Ages: 3 through adult
Schedule: One hour each week with an instructor, working one-on-one
Cost: $480 per 8-week session
Weather: Sessions meet rain or shine, with activities adapted to the weather.
PALS for Schools & Groups
We also partner with schools, adult programs, and community organizations to create recurring group experiences at Cheyne Ranch.
Group activities are designed around the participants and may include animal care, horse handling, nature activities, meaningful barn work, and focused horseback instruction when appropriate.
Each group looks a little different. Our goal is to create an experience where participants can learn together, contribute, and enjoy being part of the ranch.
Why We Meet Regularly
Relationships and skills take time to develop.
When participants return week after week, they get to know our animals, become familiar with our routines, and build relationships with the people around them.
What starts with a little help can gradually become something they do with greater confidence and independence.
We value that consistency because it gives people the opportunity to grow and truly become part of our community.
What About Horseback Riding?
Horseback riding is one of the many ways people can learn and participate at Cheyne Ranch, but it isn't a required part of PALS.
Some participants work toward riding lessons, while others focus on horse handling, animal care, and building confidence on the ground.
For those interested in horseback riding, we also offer a separate Adaptive Horseback Riding Lessons program.
Is PALS Therapy?
PALS is an animal-assisted learning program, not a licensed therapy service. Our instructors are not providing occupational, speech, physical, or mental health therapy, and we do not diagnose conditions or develop treatment plans.
Many of our participants also receive therapy services outside Cheyne Ranch. With guidance from families or their therapists, we can incorporate opportunities to practice related skills into everyday barn activities.
For example, a child working on fine motor skills might practice fastening a horse's halter, tying a rope, or opening a stall latch. These are meaningful animal care activities that also provide opportunities to practice coordination and independence.
We believe animal-assisted learning can complement other services while remaining a valuable experience in its own right.
Want to understand the difference? Read our blog post: Why “Equine Therapy” Is an Outdated Term.
Will Health Insurance or Scholarships Cover PALS?
PALS is an educational program, not a licensed therapy service, and we do not bill health insurance.
Some families have used Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA), formerly known as the Gardiner Scholarship, to help pay for Cheyne Ranch programs.
Scholarship eligibility and reimbursement depend on current program guidelines. Families are encouraged to confirm eligible expenses with their scholarship administrator.
Please reach out if you'd like more information.
Ready to Learn More?
Interested in individual PALS? The best first step is to read our FAQ, and schedule a family visit so we can meet you, introduce you to the ranch, and talk about your goals.
Representing a school or organization? We'd love to hear about your group and explore whether an ongoing partnership would be a good fit.
Looking for a one-time visit? Our Family Visits are a great way to spend time with our animals and experience Cheyne Ranch without enrolling in an ongoing program.
Visit cheyneranch.com/top10 to get started.