Verendrye Electric Cooperative awarded $2,500 to Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch to upgrade the lighting fixtures in the Riding Arena on its Minot campus.
The children who come to the Ranch suffer from severe challenges like conduct disorder, autism spectrum disorders, borderline personality disorders, depression, anxiety disorders, chemical dependency, and other issues related to trauma, abuse, and neglect. The Horse Program is an integral part of the Ranch’s multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.
Through participation in the Horse Program, kids at the Ranch learn the connection between their feelings and the horse’s response. They learn to focus on their breathing or practice other calming strategies to decrease the intensity of their emotions, so they can reconnect with the horse. The bond between child and horse can help children develop trust, respect, affection, empathy, unconditional acceptance, confidence, responsibility, assertiveness, communication skills, and self-control. These skills set kids at the Ranch up for success later in life, as they practice these skills and connect with other people.
The funds awarded by Verendrye Electric will allow the Ranch to continue to be a place of hope and healing for children and their families.
Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch is a Christ-centered residential treatment and educational center for children. The Ranch helps the most troubled, complicated, and amazing kids by providing best-in-class psychiatric therapy and trauma-informed care, where we look kids in the eye, walk with them, and help them become their best selves.
Verendrye Electric Cooperative is a not-for-profit, member-owned company providing electricity to homes, farms, and business in seven counties. The mission of Verendrye Electric Cooperative is to provide quality electric services at a competitive cost to strengthen the area economy and to lead in improving the region’s quality of life through innovation, while operating within cooperative principles.