The process has many proven benefits for at-risk children with a wide range of special needs. Children are referred to the program by a professional who is already providing assistance to the child and their family. Children learn about themselves by participating in activities with the ponies. Riding is not part of the Healing Hearts Ranch curriculum since studies have shown that 90% of the equine therapy benefits occur from ground-based activities. Children learn non-verbal communications skills, creative thinking, teamwork, assertiveness, confidence, problem solving, develop work ethic, and improve other traits which benefit the children in real world settings. Programs are focused towards several mental health and human development needs including behavioral issues, attention deficit disorder, substance abuse, eating disorders, abuse issues, depression, anxiety, relationship problems, and communications needs. Older children participate in more advanced program aspects including facility design, horse first aid, horse biology, and developing and managing a ranch budget.

The ponies for Healing Hearts Ranch are provided by Personal Ponies Ltd., a non-profit organization specializing in training Shetland ponies for therapeutic use. Personal Ponies provides ponies on loan free of charge under specific guidelines. However, the ranch is responsible for all costs associated with feed, board, and vet care. The Northern Lighthouse does not have a separate budget to cover the costs associated with the operation of the ranch. Therefore, the ranch depends solely on funding provided through grants and donations to survive. Sponsors/partners can assist the program with monetary donations, or discounts/donations on services such as feed or bedding. Sponsor logos are prominently displayed at the ranch, and wherever the ponies travel. At parades and other events, sponsor logos and business names are prominently displayed as key partners in the operation of the ranch.

John and Tami Cote understand the importance of helping children with special needs, and recognized the lack of children's resources in Maine's northern-most county. Recognizing the opportunity to develop a much needed resource at their home, they agreed to transform an ailing machine shop into a barn for the ponies. With much time, effort, and expense, they teamed with Mel Guiggey, founder of the Northern Lighthouse, to prepare the barn according to the Personal Ponies standards. Initial funds were raised through a bake sale, benefit concert, and donations from local businesses. Once the barn transformation was complete, a paddock and pasture were fenced in. John and Tami then traveled to Charlestown, NH., where they met with Personal Ponies regional representative, Gail Shuman. Gail has assisted in placing well over 180 animals in the program and had picked the four ponies who would become the core of Healing Hearts Ranch. All four ponies are mares, (females) and two of them were expecting upon arrival. R.J. was due in June of 2005, while Chicklet was due in May. Dakota and Ginger are the other ponies who made the 8 hour trip North and now reside in Mars Hill.

While many plans and visions are still down the road, results thus far have been very encouraging. The animals love children and seem to know when a child needs them the most. Due to their small size, the ponies interact well with children of all ages. The excitement and anticipation of the birth of two new ponies culminated with the birth of Chicklet's foal, Lilly, in April of 2005. However, the first week of May in 2005, we experienced the still-birth of R.J.'s foal who we named R.J.'s Amora. The still birth was used to discuss grief and loss with the children at the Ranch. Conversations surrounded the theme that there is no "wrong" way to grieve, and each of us grieve differently. The future looks bright and we continue to build our programs. Any and all donations would be a great help towards keeping this resource available to the children of Aroostook County.