Our Spirit Cove Therapy Ranch will leverage animal-assisted therapy to address the critical mental health needs of Western North Carolina’s underserved populations, including teachers, first responders, veterans, healthcare workers, and students.
The program aims to reduce stress, combat burnout, and promote resilience in these high-risk groups while addressing systemic inequities in mental health care access by offering free and subsidised services.
In addition to existing program activities, we are developing Spirit Cove at Newfoundland Place, a peaceful therapy ranch in the Blue Ridge Mountains on 16 acres in Hendersonville, NC, adjacent to Kanuga Conferences, our key community partner. Kanuga supports us by providing extended infrastructure, including discounted housing for program participants, food and beverage services, and access to onsite therapeutic facilities while our ranch is under construction.
Key Activities and Timeline
Animal-Assisted Classroom Visits (Year-Round):
Therapy animals, including our Newfoundland therapy dog teams, visit local schools to provide stress relief for teachers and students, particularly in low-income, high-burnout areas. We’re currently serving the hardest-hit Hurricane Helene areas, including Black Mountain and Swannanoa.
Therapeutic Sessions at Kanuga (Year-Round, 2024/2025/2026):
Until our ranch is complete, participants will receive therapy at Kanuga’s facilities, where animal-assisted therapy will help alleviate anxiety, manage trauma, and foster healing.
Construction Timeline (2024-2026):
Land Preparation (December 2024): The land has been cleared and is being prepped for construction.
First Lodge Groundbreaking (January 2025): Construction begins within 60 days, with completion expected by spring 2025. This lodge will serve as housing for the first therapy handler and animals and provide initial office and therapy space while the therapy barn is under construction.
Outdoor Trails and Therapy Pavilions (Spring–Fall 2025): Trails and therapy pavilions will be completed and operational by fall 2025, offering serene spaces for therapy sessions.
Therapy Barn (Spring–Winter 2025): The therapy barn, a key facility for housing and working with therapy animals, will be completed by the end of 2025.
Community Outreach and Partnerships (Quarterly):
Partner with local organizations to identify participants and expand program awareness, especially in underserved areas.
Professional Development Workshops for Teachers (Summer and Winter Breaks):
Offer stress management and self-care workshops for educators, featuring animal-assisted therapy as a core component.
Suicide and Substance Abuse Awareness Training (Spring and Fall):
To address these critical issues, host educational sessions for veterans, first responders, healthcare workers, their families, caretakers, and the community integrating animal therapy.
Evaluation and Feedback Collection (Ongoing, with quarterly and Annual Reviews):
Measure outcomes and gather feedback to guide program improvements and demonstrate impact.
Expected Outcomes:
Improved emotional well-being and resilience among participants.
Reduction in teacher burnout and turnover rates.
Increased awareness and prevention of substance abuse and suicide.
Greater access to culturally sensitive mental health services in underserved areas.
By aligning program delivery with construction milestones, TimberKnolls Spirit Cove at Newfoundland Place ensures immediate impact while building the long-term infrastructure needed to serve the community for years to come.
