For nearly 10 years, the HHH Ranch in Manhattan has provided more than 5,000 families with horse therapy.

The ranch’s volunteers and its rescue horses have helped people from age 2 to 93 with a wide variety of needs, its president and founder Christine Doran said.

The horses provide a nurturing and empowering environment for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities or medical issues, those struggling with anxiety or depression, adolescents who have experienced bullying or have suicidal thoughts and victims who have been sexually abused, Doran said.

The ranch has a space for everyone, she said.

“We really pride ourselves on giving each individual the amount of time that they need here,” Doran said. “We say clocks don’t exist. It is about what you need, not what is expected by society. You are not a number to us. You are an individual. We want each individual to grow and heal at their pace.”

The ranch has more than 100 people on its waitlist.

While the needs continue to grow, the not-for-profit organization is struggling as its funds aren’t keeping up, Doran said.

The ranch, which relies heavily on volunteers, has seen its fundraising diminish in the last year, which affected its ability to provide scholarships for students who may not otherwise be able to participate in its therapy programs.

“The most painful consequence of this funding shortfall is the suspension of our scholarship program for the first time in nearly a decade,” Doran said. “This decision is particularly heart-wrenching, as we know how much these lessons mean to the students who are not only eager to learn but also truly deserving of the opportunities we provide.”

HHH Ranch is making a year’s end fundraising push and hopes to raise $40,000.

Doran said no donation is too small.

“Every small donation plays a crucial role in our operations,” she said. “Those modest donations, ranging from $5 to $50, truly accumulate and make a significant impact.”

The ranch has several goals for the funds it receives. It looks to buy a new side-by-side utility vehicle, which makes running the ranch much more efficient, Doran said. Its vehicle recently broke down, leaving workers to push wheelbarrows throughout the farm.

The ranch also hopes to pay off its tractor. Doran said she wants to reinstate its scholarship program so more students can take part in its services.

HHH Ranch’s other goal is to raise $100,000 for a down payment on additional land where it can expand its reach.

Doran said she hopes to soon use the additional space to build a home where troubled adolescent girls can receive counseling. A larger farm would provide more land for adults with disabilities to raise bees or grow organic fruits and vegetables, providing them with more job opportunities, Doran said.

“Everyone is somewhere on a journey in their life, and everyone has some type of healing to do,” Doran said. “And I want this space to be a safe space for them. We are not here to lay your path for you. But you have a safe space here to chose which rocks that you want to lay and make your own path.”

Doran’s path to owning a horse therapy farm started when she was in high school and was trying to decide on a career. She said she asked God for a sign when she saw an electronic message board for the Good Samaritan Boys Ranch in Missouri. That ranch used horses to help troubled adolescent boys.

Seeing that “large sign” and talking with the ranch’s founder helped her decide to combine her passion of helping people with her love of animals.

Doran learned about operating a horse therapy ranch in Spain and later worked at a center for individuals with disabilities in Joliet.

In March 2015, she opened HHH Ranch, 14101 W. Bruns Road, Manhattan.

Doran said she prides herself on getting to know each family that takes part in the program, and she offers community events and sensory friendly events throughout the year.

The program’s work is powerful and has delivered results, Doran said.

Therapy programs are available for those struggling with mental health issues. In one instance, the program helped a 10-year-old child who contemplated suicide. In another case, the program helped a 15-year-old victim of sexual assault.

Many of children experiencing mental health issues, bullying or depression come from loving homes and not from troubled backgrounds, Doran said.

The ranch serves several children who have epilepsy, and horses can recognize if a child is about to have a seizure and pause until the episode is over, Doran said.

Some individuals who have physical limitations have learned to ride independently on a horse, Doran said.

“I always say horses are truly magical beings, but there’s a lot of science to it, too,” Doran said. “A horse can feel how fast your heart is beating from 4 feet away. They are feeling the energy coming off of you. They are reading you. That’s what helps so much. They are able to go, “OK, this is what you are actually needing right now.’ ”

Sadie West’s son Kale, who has autism, has been a participant at the ranch for the last two years. In addition to riding horses, Kale, 21, volunteers at the ranch and cares for, grooms and feeds the horses.

“He and I both love the ranch, the atmosphere and environment that Christine has created,” West said. “He looks forward to going to the ranch. It’s become a place of peace for me too. I love being in the energy field of the horses. It’s a very calming feeling.”

The ranch also helps animals and has rescued 120 animals over the years. Some of the animals had been starved, abused or abandoned before they were rescued by HHH Ranch, Doran said.

“Our rescues have had horrible beginnings and middles but we say that their ends will be beautiful,” she said. “They just have so much more heart to give to these students.”

The horses have known the pain of not belonging and therefore have been able to give so much more to the ranch’s participants. Like people, they are also deserving of healing and hope, Doran said. HHH Ranch’s mission is to create a sanctuary for people and animals alike to heal and flourish where everyone is accepted and celebrated.

“Riding is such a small portion of what we do,” Doran said. “We’re giving you a tool box with tools in it so that you learn to survive life beyond these walls.”

The ranch offers a variety of ways to give, including Venmo, Zelle, PayPal or check. For more information, go to www.hhhranchil.org.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.