Youth who are frequent recipients of services often have lost confidence in their ability to learn.
This TRAK program offers areas of "skills for service" where youth can rediscover the fun and value of learning. The hope is that they will give back to society all they have learned. Our program will allow youth to choose an area of particular interest. These options will teach them the necessary skills to be successful as individuals. We will offer experience in the following areas:
Vocational Programs
Participants acquire hands-on skills that can be used outside the program through experiencing the daily routine at a ranch. This includes ranch maintenance, learning to clean stalls, feed and water animals, grounds upkeep and repair, etc. The skills learned also include basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry, fencing, septic maintenance and more.
Vet Tech and Vet Assistant Clinics
TRAK regularly welcomes and assists area Vet Tech and Vet Assistant programs to visit the ranch. Depending on where they are in their curriculum, TRAK staff prepare a specific animal care and first aid program for them to see first hand on the appropriate animals. Often these programs do not have access to the wide range of large ranch animals that they desire. We are delighted to welcome them here to gain hands-on expertise.
This TRAK program offers areas of "skills for service" where youth can rediscover the fun and value of learning. The hope is that they will give back to society all they have learned. Our program will allow youth to choose an area of particular interest. These options will teach them the necessary skills to be successful as individuals. We will offer experience in the following areas:
Vocational Programs
Participants acquire hands-on skills that can be used outside the program through experiencing the daily routine at a ranch. This includes ranch maintenance, learning to clean stalls, feed and water animals, grounds upkeep and repair, etc. The skills learned also include basic plumbing, electrical, carpentry, fencing, septic maintenance and more.
Vet Tech and Vet Assistant Clinics
TRAK regularly welcomes and assists area Vet Tech and Vet Assistant programs to visit the ranch. Depending on where they are in their curriculum, TRAK staff prepare a specific animal care and first aid program for them to see first hand on the appropriate animals. Often these programs do not have access to the wide range of large ranch animals that they desire. We are delighted to welcome them here to gain hands-on expertise.
Animal Education
Participants will be educated in animal care and maintenance, nutrition, health care management and behavior. They will utilize these skills in the regular care of the TRAK animal community.
Special Event Volunteer Work
Participants in the Animal Education Program will travel to various events throughout Tucson to share their knowledge of animal care and behavior. This will provide the opportunity to increase self-esteem by allowing our program participants to be the expert in a very high interest field among their peers.
Community Volunteer Work
Members of our TRAK family will have the opportunity to take some of our animal friends into the community to visit with those who could benefit from animal contact. This will include, but is not limited to, hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, schools, programs for people with disabilities, community events, etc.
Special Event Volunteer Work
Participants in the Animal Education Program will travel to various events throughout Tucson to share their knowledge of animal care and behavior. This will provide the opportunity to increase self-esteem by allowing our program participants to be the expert in a very high interest field among their peers.
Community Volunteer Work
Members of our TRAK family will have the opportunity to take some of our animal friends into the community to visit with those who could benefit from animal contact. This will include, but is not limited to, hospitals, hospice, nursing homes, schools, programs for people with disabilities, community events, etc.
Success Stories
- TRAK Volunteering: Just What the Doctor Ordered
In 2017, Sebastian was an active elementary school student, able to walk, play at recess, and engaged in sports. He had friends, was active in sports, and was confident. One day he was sent home from practice, complaining of pain in his leg. For Sebastian, his mother, Gina, and his family, life was about to change drastically.
The next morning, Sebastian woke up in extreme pain, unable to put weight on his leg. A mystery to physicians, he used crutches to get around, and struggled through physical therapy appointments, experiencing pain of a "12" on a 10-point scale. He was prescribed heavy pain medicines and immune modulators under the incorrect diagnosis of juvenile arthritis. A few months later, he was in a wheelchair, and he and his mother were at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) with a diagnosis of Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS). They were separated from family, Sebastian was absent from school, and for five weeks, they lived in Philadelphia, where he participated successfully in an intensive outpatient treatment program.
The correct diagnosis and actual treatment at CHOP was just the beginning of the healing process. Sebastian had not only endured the physical pain of his condition, but also the psychological stress of misdiagnosis and the drastic change of life to a 'new normal', completely dependent, in a wheelchair. He may have left the wheelchair behind at CHOP, but there were reminders that life was still not the same. Upon return to school, there were new kids in the class, a different classroom dynamic. Life had gone on, and Sebastian was someone they had only heard about. Sebastian was back physically, but he was not back to his normal self. He was reluctant to talk, to contribute, to agree enthusiastically to being involved in anything. Since stress can trigger recurrence of AMPS, CHOP specialists emphasized the importance of managing anxiety and recommended daily physical activity, especially outdoors. Gina opened her email and clicked on the TRAK newsletter of the month, which described an upcoming volunteer orientation. She and Sebastian attended, knowing it sounded just like what the doctor had ordered! Indeed, Sebastian's reluctance to participate has begun to shift since he has been volunteering twice a week with Gina at the ranch. She has observed Sebastian's personality restored, full of wit, and humor. He has a renewed positive outlook, saying 'yes' to new opportunities and playdates. "The love he always had for life itself is coming back", Gina said gratefully. Indeed, this interviewer was received with much enthusiasm and observed a thriving child with a positive, can-do attitude!
When a child becomes the recipient of intensive services and treatment, no matter what the diagnosis, they often lose confidence in themselves and their ability. TRAK was created for this very purpose, with the vision of empowering youth who are the recipients of services into animal experts who serve their community as service providers. The outdoor, physical nature of ranching and therapeutic animal interaction are the force behind what we like to call 'TRAK Magic'. We are delighted to have Sebastian and Gina as part of our ranch family, and look forward to watching him to continue to grow and flourish!
The next morning, Sebastian woke up in extreme pain, unable to put weight on his leg. A mystery to physicians, he used crutches to get around, and struggled through physical therapy appointments, experiencing pain of a "12" on a 10-point scale. He was prescribed heavy pain medicines and immune modulators under the incorrect diagnosis of juvenile arthritis. A few months later, he was in a wheelchair, and he and his mother were at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) with a diagnosis of Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS). They were separated from family, Sebastian was absent from school, and for five weeks, they lived in Philadelphia, where he participated successfully in an intensive outpatient treatment program.
The correct diagnosis and actual treatment at CHOP was just the beginning of the healing process. Sebastian had not only endured the physical pain of his condition, but also the psychological stress of misdiagnosis and the drastic change of life to a 'new normal', completely dependent, in a wheelchair. He may have left the wheelchair behind at CHOP, but there were reminders that life was still not the same. Upon return to school, there were new kids in the class, a different classroom dynamic. Life had gone on, and Sebastian was someone they had only heard about. Sebastian was back physically, but he was not back to his normal self. He was reluctant to talk, to contribute, to agree enthusiastically to being involved in anything. Since stress can trigger recurrence of AMPS, CHOP specialists emphasized the importance of managing anxiety and recommended daily physical activity, especially outdoors. Gina opened her email and clicked on the TRAK newsletter of the month, which described an upcoming volunteer orientation. She and Sebastian attended, knowing it sounded just like what the doctor had ordered! Indeed, Sebastian's reluctance to participate has begun to shift since he has been volunteering twice a week with Gina at the ranch. She has observed Sebastian's personality restored, full of wit, and humor. He has a renewed positive outlook, saying 'yes' to new opportunities and playdates. "The love he always had for life itself is coming back", Gina said gratefully. Indeed, this interviewer was received with much enthusiasm and observed a thriving child with a positive, can-do attitude!
When a child becomes the recipient of intensive services and treatment, no matter what the diagnosis, they often lose confidence in themselves and their ability. TRAK was created for this very purpose, with the vision of empowering youth who are the recipients of services into animal experts who serve their community as service providers. The outdoor, physical nature of ranching and therapeutic animal interaction are the force behind what we like to call 'TRAK Magic'. We are delighted to have Sebastian and Gina as part of our ranch family, and look forward to watching him to continue to grow and flourish!
- Parent Testimonial
My 22 year old son has autism and has been a volunteer with TRAK as of 5 years ago, at the Craycroft location. We recently started up again to make a commitment at the new TRAK location. My son's eyes light up and he smiles if he knows he'll get to visit TRAK! He especially benefits from the positive social interactions with the friendly and accommodating staff...we are eager to get the "ball rolling" and be more involved. -M. Whitmore 🤠🐎😻🙌💜🇺🇸😇🐕
- Parent Testimonial
I remember very clearly dropping my son off at Trak for the first time many years ago and sitting in the car, holding my breath, hoping he would relax and have fun. Knowing that he was worrying about germs, how big the horses were, looking stupid in front of other kids and not getting it right, I worried too. Little did I know he was about to meet the man I like to call the “D- Whisperer”. A man who’s quiet confidence and calm demeanor both frustrated and inspired a young kid who had little confidence in himself. Scott never rose to the bait when D got frustrated or changed his belief in D’s abilities. Even when D quit for a day, weeks, or months Scott was right there when D was returned calmly leading him forward, taking small victories like getting horse spit on your hands as huge wins. Fast forward to a 17 year old who has grown into a thoughtful, albeit stubborn, young man. A young man who doesn’t quit, works hard, feels compassion for others, and takes risks without constantly worrying about failure. When I look back on all the pivotal points and people who have helped get us where we are today, I know that Trak and Scott were the turning point. The D Whisperer will forever hold a place in my heart because he believes is my son. Thank you to all who make Trak a reality. -Amy O.
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