Refuge Services, Inc.
History and Purpose of Work

Refuge Services, Inc., a private non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization, was established in Lubbock in September of 1999. The mission of Refuge Services, Inc. is to enhance functioning of individuals, families, and groups. This is achieved by providing opportunities to develop skills for solving problems, overcoming obstacles, and reaching individual as well as group goals.

Purpose

The purpose of Refuge Services: Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy program is to help youth and families address behavioral, emotional, and relational issues. This program provides a non-threatening and action-oriented approach to counseling. The program helps youth and their families in Lubbock and the surrounding areas cope with change and develop positive means of facing their struggles. The program uses team-building activities with horses in conjunction with family therapy. This approach immediately increases family communication, cooperation and problem-solving and strengthens family, social, work, and school relationships.

Lubbock's Refuge Services, Inc.

• Is the first certified, "out-patient" Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy program in Texas

• Serves a 37-county target area surrounding Lubbock with mobile services including the following counties: Deaf Smith, Randall, Armstrong, Hall, Brisco, Swisher, Castro, Parmer, Bailey, Lamb, Hale, Floyd, Motley, Cottle, Childress, King, Dickens, Crosby, Lubbock, Hockley, Cockran, Yoakum, Terry, Lynn, Garza, Kent, Stonewall, Scurry, Fisher, Mitchell, Howard, Borden, Nolan, Dawson, Andrews, Midland, Martin, and portions of southeast New Mexico.

• Partners with local and regional programs such as MHMR, Children's Homes, inpatient treatment centers, surrounding school districts, private counseling services, as well as direct referrals from parents, doctors, etc.

• Contracts with local and regional licensed counselors to meet the needs of the clients