Programs
We are committed to make our programs fully accessible regardless of economic class, culture, gender, sexual identity or set of abilities.
Therapeutic / Adaptive Riding Program
The adaptive riding program at Laughing Buck Farm delivers equine assisted activities (EAA) and equine facilitated learning (EFL) to individuals with cognitive, physical and social/emotional special needs. Participants will experience horsemanship lessons with PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) International certified instructors who are also PATH Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning. |
Farm Education and Enrichment Program
We work with the Mathew's House, The Growing Project, The Arabic School of Fort Collins, daycares and PSD school groups throughout the year. We host volunteers from Imagine's Out and About Program – adults with cognitive disabilities. We use adaptive teaching methodology to offer recreational and educational experiences in a working farm setting to promote cognitive, physical, emotional and social well-being in a working farm environment. |
Integrated Sensory Camps
Our integrated farm experience helps children develop and improve their social-emotional skills, independent living skills, and sensory regulation skills by learning through a sensory-rich environment, where kids can experience the sights, sounds, smells, feel, and work, of farm life. |
Youth Internship and Volunteer Program
We invite youth to work on the farm alongside instructors and farm workers where they will gaining skills in working with horses, pigs, goats and chickens. They also assist with our educational programs, learning social skills, leadership, confidence and connection. We partner with the ACE (Alternative Cooperative Education) program which provides work experience, related classroom instruction and vocational transition planning for high school students with special needs. Students develop personal and career skills preparing them to live and work independently as vital, contributing members of their community. |
NEW EnGender LGBT+ Program
Youth in our community who identify as LGBTQ+ are some of the most at risk for violence, self-harm, suicide, and mental health problems. These young people struggle with all of the basic social and emotional skills that many of their peers do, plus the added complication of being different in a world that doesn't always see difference as valid. EnGender is our newest equine-assisted therapeutic program that serves the unique social and emotional needs of LGBTQ+ youth by building leadership, community, and connection with horses both on the ground and in the saddle. Each week of the six-week program is themed with a word starting with each letter in the word GENDER. G-Getting to Know You, E-Emotions, N-Now (Be in the Now), D-Developing Trust, E-Empathy, R-Resilience. |