Join Our Team

We are seeking a compassionate and knowledgeable Equine Specialist to join the Ruby Ranch team. The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in equine care and safety, quality people skills, and a passion for empowering others to find healing with horses.

Ruby Ranch is a mental health organization dedicated to the empowerment of individuals and families through evidence-based therapeutic care. We specialize in treating teens and their families with trauma, attachment concerns, anxiety, depression, etc. We offer individual and group therapy to clients in the area. We utilize the Eagala model and expect the Equine Specialist to follow that model as well (training will be available). Please read through our website at www.rubyranch.net, for more information prior to applying.

Monday-Friday with somewhat flexible hours and days. Preferred hours between 2-9pm with some flexibility. Working around 13-16 hours a week currently, with hours expected to increase when we add another part time therapist this summer.  The range would be 13-30 hours per week at that point, starting in the lower range and growing to be more as we add additional therapists.

• $18-24/hour depending on experience
• Holidays off and flexible schedule, with enough notice
• Contracted as a 1099
• Ruby Ranch will assist in paying for trainings to encourage professional development

The Equine Specialist (ES) will facilitate equine-assisted therapy sessions with a mental health professional and structures sessions to incorporate horses. The ES assists the mental health professional in effectively planning sessions to address the client’s treatment plan with their knowledge of the horses in the herd. They will contribute to creating activities aligned with therapeutic goals, assist in deciding which horses would be the best fit for a session, and ensuring there are measures in place to prevent safety concerns. Sessions will consist of 60 minute individual or family sessions, or 180 minute group therapy sessions. Client diagnoses and needs may include addiction, domestic abuse, behavioral disorders, depression, anxiety and trauma.

The Equine Specialist’s primary role is to monitor equine behaviors in and out of sessions and to promote safety of the equines and clients. The Equine Specialist uses their knowledge of horse psychology, reading horse body language, equine science, managing horses and communicating with natural horse training techniques. This position adds therapeutic value to the Equine Program by addressing observed equine behaviors that may have a therapeutic benefit for the clients.

The Equine Specialist is expected to learn the Eagala model of conducting therapy sessions, which are ground-based (no clients will be riding), and where clients are encouraged to gain their own interpretations of what is happening. The Equine Specialist will not be teaching horsemanship skills, but is expected to know them.

• High School diploma or GED required
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must be able to lift up to 50lbs
• Experience working with and engaging clients with mental health issues preferred
• OK Corral, Natural Lifemanship, The HERD, PATH, or EAGALA certification preferred
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience with equines in a professional setting preferred
• Training in natural horsemanship is preferred
• Have demonstrated knowledge of equine care and outstanding horsemanship skills.
• Have interest in working with youth as a mentor
• Must have reliable transportation and ability to stick to a schedule, while also having some level of flexibility
• Ability to work with children and families in a non-judgmental manner regardless of background and trauma history. Self-awareness of personal biases and how they impact how they show up for clients

• Co-facilitate equine-assisted individual, family and group therapy sessions with the mental health professional
• Monitor equine behavior to help promote a safer environment and keep detailed notes of equine behaviors observed during sessions
• Provide equine emergency care/first aid as needed
• Monitor equine stress levels and well-being
• Collaborate with the founders in developing training and enrichment experiences for each equine within the herd
• Maintain horses exercise and training schedule and meet training goals
• Build a relationship with each horse in the herd, in order to best utilize them in sessions. Know their strengths and weaknesses, as well as their individual safety concerns
• Maintain tidy arenas and horse pens by cleaning up horse manure 
• Aid in feeding the equines, ensuring they have water, medications and proper care (fly masks, blankets, etc.)
• Assist with barn chores and administrative assignments as needed
• Expected to attend an Eagala training within one (1) year of working with Ruby Ranch, ideally the training in Oregon at the end of June. Please visit https://my.eagala.org/events before applying to learn more about the Eagala Model and the cost to become certified

We are looking to add a licensed psychotherapist (LP, LMFT, LPC, and LCSW) to our growing team. This opportunity is a part-time contracted position that can be added easily on the side of your full-time job or as a stand-alone position. Your caseload and hours are totally up to you, just as long as an equine specialist, and horse are available at those times. Day, evening or weekend hours available. This is a great position for self-care, to be outside, work with animals and get out of the office to avoid burnout. 

Ruby Ranch is a mental health organization dedicated to the empowerment of individuals and families through evidence-based therapeutic care. We offer individual, family and group therapy to clients in the area. We utilize the Eagala model in offering equine-assisted psychotherapy. Please read through our website at www.eagala.org, for more information on the training prior to applying.

• $60- 80/hr depending on experience
• Flexible schedule with expected hours of 4 – 20 per week
• Contracted as a 1099
• Ruby Ranch will assist in paying for the half of the Eagala training for professional development

• 2-4 years work related experience as a licensed mental health professional required
• Interest in animal-assisted therapy
• Somatic Experience or Trauma Trained preferred
• Master’s degree in social service, clinical psychology, or closely related field that qualifies one to practice psychotherapy
• Independently licensed 
• Must be able to pass a background check
• Must maintain their own liability insurance
• Equine Assisted Growth And Learning Association (EAGALA) Trained or willingness to be trained in the EAGALA methods (Ruby Ranch will assist by paying half of the cost of this training).

• Generates creative solutions to client needs
• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations
• Responds well to questions
• Maintains confidentiality
• Writes clearly and informatively
• Exhibits sound and ethical judgment
• Treats people with respect
• Exhibits honesty and dependability
• Uses reason even when faced with emotional topics
• Effectively listens without interrupting
• Ability to function independently and exercise professional judgment

Case Management:

• Develop, implement, and supervise individual client treatment plans.
• Maintain professional and timely Electronic Health Records documentation and correspondence with external agencies.
• Serve as point of contact for clients and in case of emergency for their caseload.

Therapeutic Services:

• Conduct individual, family, and group therapy sessions.
• Provide psychotherapy, reunification, case management for client success.
• Monitor client progress and provide written and verbal updates to referral agencies, court systems, and internal stakeholders.
• Completes and maintains individual and group progress notes and documentation within 24 hours following the treatment session excluding weekends and holidays.
• Administer diagnostic assessments as required and use diagnostic assessments to inform treatment planning.
• Able to work with the Equine specialist to make sure the sessions are safe for both clients and horses.
• Demonstrate the ability to be creative and adaptable in sessions to be client and horse directed. 

Professional Development and Collaboration:

• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities and maintain up-to-date knowledge in the field.
• Represent the organization in professional settings, such as workshops, conferences, and community events.
• Collaborate with team members and external partners to enhance service delivery and client outcomes.
• Attend internal meetings and continuing education trainings as required.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with clients and staff.

• Consultation with a team.
• Marketing, fee collection, and insurance verification/billing on your behalf by admin team.
• Client referrals and a growing caseload.
• Electronic Health Record application provided.
• You have the benefit of creating a flexible schedule that works for you! 

Please fill out the equine-assisted psychotherapist application form under the Apply now button.

We look forward to hearing from you!