We're starting a new season at Peace Ranch. This is such a wonderful experience for everyone involved. This session lasts six Fridays.

Our relationship with Peace Ranch builds on our relationships with each other, with our community — and with the animals.

Working at Peace Ranch increases self-esteem, self-confidence and the ability to follow directions. It decreases anxiety, isolation and fear.

“Whenever you give people success in a new environment, that decreases anxiety,” says Susan Onan-Swartz, executive director of BrickWays. “We are always looking for ways to decrease anxiety and isolation. Our experiences are designed to do that — and more.”

One of the benefits of working with horses is that horses have an “immediate reaction” if a person loses control or shows anxiety. That helps the residents moderate themselves and their actions, says Nancy Kollhoff, a BrickWays licensed therapist. When they learn that they are able to change not only their own behaviors, but the effect those behaviors have on others, it opens up new doors.

“They can now think of new solutions to everyday problems,” Kollhoff says. Where there once was a feeling of powerlessness, it has been replaced with self-confidence. Where there once were barriers to building relationships, they have been replaced with open doors. Where there once was a feeling of isolation, it has been replaced with friendships.

The class begins Friday, May 18; email Nancy Kollhoff for more information, kollhoffn@brickways.org or call 231-620-9937 to sign up.