Page 68 - OTHS-NOV2025

PAGE 66 www.OverTheHumpSaver.com November 2025
HOW TO DANCE WITH

THE SUN

BY CHUCK N. BAKER

T here are many
organizations that
provide assistance
to veterans and
civilians alike, and
they are located all around the state.
One such group can be found in
Pahrump, not exactly in the center
of things, unless one is located in
southern Nye County. But wherever
you are in Nevada, it is certainly
worth traveling to.

The Nevada Sundance Ranch
has a worthwhile mission. It is to
provide therapeutic horseback
riding and animal-based therapy to
adults and children — civilians and
veterans — who face emotional,
mental and mild physical challenges.
Horsewoman Jeannie Hammerly said,
“We focus on serving people with horses are gentle and well trained to emotional support and therapeutic
special needs, veterans and active take care of riders.” Before going out benefits, giving comfort to such
military personnel, first responders on the trail, riders experience a slow persons. Horses can help to alleviate
and others who would benefit circular ride in order to get to know symptoms like anxiety, depression,
from animal therapy with a special their horse before moving onto the and loneliness. Pets and other
emphasis on horses.” trail. animals can relieve stress since they
generally love people and people
The ranch offers horsemanship The ranch is a non-profit 501(c)3 tend to trust them. Some individuals
lessons, guided trail rides (some project that offers annual happenings believe that if those with mental
with campfire meals), educational such as Old West Cowboy Weekends,
experiences about the history of Halloween Fest, Valentine Rides and health problems open their hearts
ranch life and special events such a Spring Fling with food, music and completely to a horse or a pet that
as birthday parties and field trips. lots of fun for youngsters. the animals can touch them deep
“It’s all in a safe and welcoming within their soul. Nevada Sundance
environment,” she said. Individuals with minimal to no Ranch makes no such claims, but it’s
riding experience can learn to brush a fact that their horses have helped
The cowboy rides are unique. They a horse, saddle it and then ride. veterans, military and others.
offer an opportunity to ride in Children can also interact with other
the Mojave Desert and make the farm animals at the ranch, such as The Pahrump Sundance Ranch ranch
participants feel like a cowboy (or chickens, ducks and sheep. can be contacted at (775) 990-9137.
cowgirl) and enjoy the scenery from It’s a non-profit, so they are always
the back of a horse. “Even if someone For those with some forms of mental looking for donations and volunteers.
has not been on a horse before, our health problems, horses can provide And horseback riders.