2026 brought big changes for Rainy Day Ranch, a nonprofit started in 2017 that focused on therapeutic riding. Adam Cramer and Lauren Memmott’s daughter, Ella, has Rett syndrome. When they saw the powerful effect equine therapy had on Ella, they started Rainy Day Ranch to offer that same experience to more people. Almost 10 years later, the program has a new name and expanded services to bring the peace of horses to even more people.
Rainy Day Ranch Changes Name to Meadows Center for Equine Connection
This year, Rainy Day Ranch changed its name to Meadows Center for Equine Connection. The change reflects the broader focus of the nonprofit, expanding from a traditional PATH INTL therapeutic riding program to providing equine connection services for people of all abilities. While the shift means the staff are not licensed therapists and do not provide mental health therapy, their offerings can help people navigate emotional, social and developmental experiences. “Our work originally grew out of the therapeutic riding world, but we have intentionally moved in a different direction,” shares Eleanor Larkin, co-executive director of Meadows Center for Equine Connection. “Our current approach is our attuned horsemanship program, along with equine-assisted learning and other opportunities for connection with horses.”
“We realized that the heart of our work lies not just in the act of riding a horse, but in fostering connection between humans and horses,” shares Eleanor. “‘Meadow’ speaks to a sense of openness and spaciousness, and is also a nod to our address on Maple Meadows Lane. The word ‘connection’ is key in our identity. We strive to facilitate partnership between horses and humans that centers the recognition of both horse and human as unique individuals deserving of respect, autonomy, and understanding.”
Adam continues to be a big part of the nonprofit. He is the primary donor, does most of the maintenance around the farm and has been a board director. When he and his new wife, Amy Hyatt, recently moved off the ranch, they decided to rent out the home portion instead of selling so the nonprofit could continue.
Equine Therapy Programs in Thurston County
Anyone who has been around horses understands the power of just putting a hand on a warm neck or looking into those deep eyes. Horses are experts at naturally sensing and mirroring human emotions. They notice changes in breathing patterns and smell chemical changes in sweat caused by fear or stress. They can even sync to a human’s heartbeat. These abilities make them wonderful partners for those needing to slow down, de-stress or even learn to read body language.
“As someone who has both mental and physical disability, it has been helpful with tapping into my already heightened awareness of nonverbal behavior, healing from C-PTSD, feeling embodied, and learning skills to co-regulate with more-than-humans,” shares one participant.
Along with traditional equine therapy for people with disabilities, Meadows Center for Equine Connection offers equine therapy for everyone. Their Attuned Horsemanship program is process-oriented and focuses on the journey, not the outcome. “In a lesson, students might learn groundwork, grooming, leading, body language, liberty work, riding, or other horsemanship skills, depending on their goals and abilities,” shares Eleanor. “Our lessons focus on building partnership and connection as a means of supporting personal wellbeing, where individuals who fall outside the guidelines of what is considered neurotypical or able-bodied, or those experiencing emotional hardship that feels complex or unrelatable, may find a place to be welcomed and embraced in their entirety.”
Other programs include mindfulness retreats, offered to the public on a sliding scale, and other semi-regular meetups and workshops, such as Life Lessons with Horses, taught by Cathy Mahon.
Eleanor adds that students come from every walk of life and each has a slightly different road they are on, some are looking to build horsemanship skills, others want to increase their mindfulness. Some may need to work on balance and core strength or sensory input.
“I noticed that the skills I learn at Meadows are transferable to how I relate with other people and animals,” shares another participant. “Learning these skills about horses helped me be more attuned to nonverbal communication with others as well as my internal ongoings. I am learning to be more reflexive in how I regulate and help others co-regulate.”
Volunteering with Equine Therapy
Volunteers at Meadows Center for Equine Connection in Olympia do a wide range of chores, from feeding and grooming horses to mucking stalls and being side walkers – walking beside the horse and rider to ensure the rider stays on – for equine therapy lessons.
“Over my years of working and teaching here, I’ve watched countless students – and volunteers – build grit and resilience, find softness in strength, find joy in connection, and experience play and wonder in partnership with our horses,” says Eleanor.
Judith Moxley is a volunteer at Meadows Center for Equine Connection. She and her beagle volunteered with the Animal Assisted Therapy program at St. Peter’s Hospital for 7 years. After retiring for work, she wanted another animal-related volunteer opportunity and she came across Rainy Day Ranch.
“I love the work that they do at the center,” Judith shares. The staff and volunteers are all lovely people. I love feeling like I make a difference to the organization and the wonderful community they serve. I love being around the horses and getting to know their personalities. I love spending time with my dear neighborhood friends, being outdoors and doing physical work. I will say that feeding the horses is probably the most fun.”
Judith adds that the people who come to the ranch for classes are amazing too. “Although I am not working directly with them at this time, I have met a number of them, and they are all really special people,” she adds. “And when I was doing side walking, I worked primarily with one young rider over the course of two years. It was really striking and very heartening to see the improvement in their gait, their core strength and their demeanor from one year to the next.”
Volunteering is always a great way to support nonprofits. So is donating. As a nonprofit, your donations are tax-deductible and go towards supporting the equine partners, including feed, vet care, etc. Eleanor says they are in desperate need of a few “foundation donors” who give each year consistently.
As they look to the future, they have more events and collaborations planned. They are also hoping to expand their lesson program as funding allows. And a new office space that is coming available will be filled with more practitioners in the wellbeing sphere, such as psychotherapists or bodyworkers, to contribute to its culture of care and serenity, Eleanor adds.
Learn more at the Meadows Center for Equine Connection’s website.
