What SMILING GOAT RANCH INC does

Smiling Goat Ranch (SGR) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2015 by Sheryl Barto and Karl Hanlon, operating from Hunt Ranch in Carbondale, Colorado. It delivers free equine-assisted and animal-assisted therapy to individuals and families affected by neuropsychiatric conditions, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and substance use recovery. The therapeutic core is built on the licensed Horse Boy Method and Movement Method from New Trails Learning Systems — a neuroscience-grounded framework that uses specific rhythmic movements on horseback (sensory work, back-riding, long-lining) to regulate cortisol and elevate oxytocin, targeting emotional regulation, communication, and learning outcomes.

The service portfolio comprises private one-hour weekly sessions, group programs delivered through partner organizations, a Junior Volunteer program, and signature fundraising/community events such as the Hay Bale Ball, Healing Hoof It, Whinny Wonderland, and Ride2Zero. SGR also operates working student placements, internships, NCTRC-certified recreation therapy internships, and Horse Boy 1/2 certification courses across seven affiliated universities.

The organization is funded entirely through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, animal sponsorship subscriptions, and grants from local government entities (Garfield County, Pitkin County, City of Aspen). It disclosed an annual operating budget of $125,000 and a headcount of 1-10, anchored by one full-time Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and a rotating intern/volunteer pipeline. SGR is the only Horse Boy Method location on the Western Slope of Colorado.

Name

SMILING GOAT RANCH INC

Legal name

Smiling Goat Ranch

Website

https://smilinggoatranch.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Smiling Goat Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Carbondale, Colorado that delivers free equine- and animal-assisted therapy to individuals and families affected by autism, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and related neuropsychiatric conditions, using the licensed Horse Boy Method.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine-Assisted Therapy Services

NAICS

Horses and Other Equine Production (112920), Support Activities for Animal Production (11521)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Medicine & Training-Integrated Veterinary Services (HLAMAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Equine Working Ranch & Trail Operations (non-tourism) (AFAEAGAL), Equine Rehabilitation, Layup & Retirement Facilities (AFAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Equine-assisted therapy
• Animal-assisted therapy
• Therapeutic horsemanship
• Recreation therapy services
• Neuropsychiatric therapy

Headquarters

HQ city

Carbondale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Direct donations via check, PayPal, or ColoradoGives. Donations are tax-deductible and can be applied to the area of greatest need for immediate impact on families.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Business sponsorships for signature events (Hay Bale Ball, Healing Hoof It, Whinny Wonderland) at various levels. Includes marketing and networking benefits.
3. Animal Sponsorship: Monthly or annual sponsorship programs to cover feed, veterinary care, training, and other costs for specific therapy animals. Sponsors receive care packages and donor recognition.
4. Grant Funding: Funding from granting agencies and foundations including Garfield County, Pitkin County, Aspen government, and other regional granting entities.
5. Annual Budget: Organization operates on an annual budget of $125,000, with all services provided free of charge to families.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Smiling Goat Ranch is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free equine-assisted and animal-assisted therapy to individuals and families affected by neuropsychiatric conditions including autism, PTSD, depression, anxiety, grief, and substance use recovery. Programs are built on the licensed Horse Boy Method and Movement Method, incorporating sensory work on horses, back-riding, long-lining, and small animal interactions to reduce cortisol, increase oxytocin, and activate the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex.

Product overview

Smiling Goat Ranch operates as a nonprofit equine-assisted therapy center offering a unified therapeutic program built on the Horse Boy Method and Movement Method. The core service portfolio includes Private Sessions and Group Programs delivering sensory work, back-riding, long-lining, and animal-assisted therapy to individuals with autism, PTSD, depression, anxiety, and related neuropsychiatric conditions. Supporting offerings include Student Programs (working student placements, general internships, and NCTRC-certified Recreation Therapy internships), Horse Boy Certification training (Basic and Advanced levels), and youth programs including a Junior Volunteer initiative. The organization also conducts signature fundraising events—Hay Bale Ball, Healing Hoof It, Whinny Wonderland, and Ride2Zero—and an Animal Sponsorship program. All therapeutic services are provided free of charge to families.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Oxytocin production increase through horse movement and sensory work
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• Horse Boy FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Horse Boy Foundation partnered with SGR to train 80+ volunteers and instructors to serve autism families and has provided a pipeline of working students. SGR is the only Horse Boy location on the Western Slope of Colorado.
• Valenca FamilycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese masters of classical dressage and Working Equitation, and mentors to Horse Boy Centers worldwide. They guide SGR in building muscle on horses so the work is easy for them, and help train their minds by altering routines. They create horses flexible in mind and body to create cadence and collection.
• Creative AwakeningssecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered to provide art and social work therapy services. Sheri Gaynor is an LCSW, Registered Expressive Arts Therapist and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Learning Facilitator who designs creative activities specifically geared toward participant needs.
• Ascent Events Co (Michelle Marlow)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerMichelle Marlow's event consulting team provides pro-bono event planning services for SGR's signature events. The team has more than 50 years' experience planning social, business and nonprofit events locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Karp, Neu, HanlonsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAttorneys at Law providing ongoing pro-bono legal services to support SGR's continuing development and mission.
• Dr. Melissa Goldyn, DVM (Goldyn Equine)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerVeterinary care provider essential to SGR's operations. Without her help, Smiling Goat Ranch could not exist.
• New Trails Learning SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationLicensor of the Horse Boy Method and Movement Method. Provides training certifications (Horse Boy 1 and Horse Boy 2) that SGR staff and volunteers can obtain.
• Emily HightowersecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerResilience Coach who helps high performers with trauma exposure. Has advanced studies in yoga, adaptive Thai Yoga, Biofeedback, Breath as Medicine, Art of Breath and Integrative Nutrition. Supports SGR in work with veterans.
• University of DenversecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerSGR has partnered with the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work for student internships. First social work interns began in 2021 through the Animal Assisted Social Work curriculum.
• East Carolina UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerGraduate student researchers from ECU have worked with SGR studying recreational therapy with research on farm animal-assisted therapy for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• Central Michigan UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated university for recreation therapy internship programs. Students pursue degrees in Recreational Therapy and Disability Studies.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• EAGALA (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association): Global professional association setting standards and certifying practitioners in equine-assisted psychotherapy and learning. Comparable as the dominant industry-wide framework for the modality Smiling Goat Ranch operates within, though broader and not therapy-delivering.
• PATH International (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International): The largest U.S. credentialing and membership body for equine-assisted services centers and professionals. Comparable as the overarching industry organization whose member centers deliver services similar to SGR's, though broader and not a single-site therapy provider.

Direct peers

• Bright Spot Therapy: Connecticut nonprofit providing equine-assisted activities and therapy to children with special needs, including autism. Comparable regional nonprofit model delivering free or low-cost equine therapy to families.
• Horse Boy Foundation: Parent organization of the Horse Boy Method and a core training/practitioner partner for Smiling Goat Ranch. Directly comparable because it both delivers and propagates the same equine-assisted therapy methodology for autism and related conditions.
• Manestream Horse Boy Center (UK): UK Horse Boy Method center delivering equine-assisted therapy for autism and related conditions. Directly comparable as another regional nonprofit operator within the same Horse Boy Method network serving overlapping populations.
• SpiritHorse Therapeutic Riding Center: Nonprofit equine therapy provider offering therapeutic horsemanship programs for children and adults with disabilities including autism. Comparable as a mission-driven, donation-funded equine therapy operator serving overlapping populations.
• Square Peg Foundation: California-based equine-assisted therapy nonprofit serving individuals with autism and other neurodifferences, also operating within the Horse Boy Method network. Directly comparable mission, methodology, and population focus to Smiling Goat Ranch.
• Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga: New York-based nonprofit offering equine-assisted therapy for individuals with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Comparable as a regional nonprofit therapeutic riding/equine therapy operator serving families.

Emerging players

• Horses and Humans Research Foundation: Foundation funding and disseminating research on equine-assisted services for humans with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges. Comparable as an evidence-building peer whose research outputs directly support SGR's claim of clinical efficacy.

Regional players

• Aspen Therapeutic Riding Center: Colorado-based nonprofit (Roaring Fork Valley, near SGR's geography) offering therapeutic riding for individuals with disabilities. Comparable as a same-region, same-modality nonprofit, making it the closest direct geographic competitor for donor dollars and program participants.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xinstagram.com/smilinggoatranch
• Instagraminstagram.com/smilinggoatranch
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/smiling-goat-ranch-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SMILING GOAT RANCH INC