Founded in 2003, Willow Wood Ranch, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization.

Through our WALK ON program, our mission is to reach out to children on the Autism Spectrum in order to facilitate a change in their lives using therapeutic horseback riding, brain-based listening therapy and interactive social engagement.

Tara Malphrus, our Executive Director and Instructor, is a special education teacher in McKinney, Texas. In 2003 while teaching in another district, the parent of a young girl with severe special needs approached Tara and inquired about equine therapy for his daughter. Tara had volunteered at other therapeutic riding centers and decided to give it a try. Within weeks of beginning the riding program, the young girl began making eye contact, and interacting with the horse and her surroundings. This was just the first of many miracles that have happened in the lives of the kids at WALK ON.

In 2009 WALK ON narrowed its focus to children on the Autism spectrum, including those with Asperger Syndrome. We also expanded our service from therapeutic horseback riding to also include brain-based music therapy through a system called The Listening Program, and social interaction through peer engagement and hands-on experiential learning. Children on the Autism Spectrum, including those with Asperger Syndrome, may experience increased verbalization, motor skills, core body tone, and social interaction through therapeutic riding and listening therapy. The horse-rider combination is proven to create a bond on physical, mental and emotional levels. Please visit our Services Page for more information.

Our program operates year-round and is segmented into ten-week sessions in the Spring and Fall, along with sustainment and make-up classes in the Summer and Winter.

Willow Wood Ranch is governed by a Board of Directors who share in the passion for these children and the truly life-changing experience that is possible through the horse/human connection. There are no paid staff or employees; the organization operates on a 100% volunteer basis. Any tuition, donations or other funding is wholly used to support the charity and our wonderful team of horses.

WALK ON is a member center of Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.), a global authority, resource and advocate for equine-assisted activities and therapies and the equines in this work that inspire and enrich the human spirit. Through this association we are able to ensure safe, effective and proven methods of therapeutic horseback riding for our participants.

WALK ON is also a member of the Lone Star Therapeutic Equestrian Network (LSTEN), an organization composed of therapeutic equestrian centers in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

Tara Malphrus is a Certified Instructor with PATH Intl. and the current Vice-President of LSTEN. She is also a Certified Facilitator with Advanced Brain Technologies, creators of The Listening Program.