Horse-Powered Healing
Upper Canyon Outreach is a Montana-based non-profit providing a proven framework of psychological tools to help participants develop self-awareness and cognitive team building. Designed to support active military and Veterans through the development of horsemanship skills, participants harness neural pathways that support the process of integrating separate areas of their lives – promoting self-improvement as individuals and as teams. Through earned partnerships with horses, participants learn to apply these emotional intelligence skills to daily life, mental well-being, authentic connection, family, leadership and work.
Based on a high level of interest, demand and need identified through programs during our first three years, Upper Canyon Outreach has expanded its programming offering to build onto foundational skills and support our past participants as they move forward in their careers and lives. We have created and initiated a Phase II curriculum, launched a past participant peer-networking program and introduced a mentorship development initiative.
Supporting Integrated Warriors and Fellow Montanans
Upper Canyon Outreach’s transformative horsemanship and equine skill development courses are specifically designed for Veterans, active duty and retired military. Through our programs, participants gain invaluable life skills and emotional intelligence through interaction with our horse herd in the open space of our tranquil Montana ranch. Our professional, friendly and experienced team is committed to empowering participants every step of the way, helping them achieve their personal and team-oriented goals while promoting mental well-being and authentic connection in all aspects of their lives.
We have also adapted our horsemanship and equine therapy course specifically for Montanans who have gone through difficult and traumatic experiences. Through horsemanship skills, this approach empowers these participants with the necessary psychological tools to develop self-awareness and cognitive team building that support emotional intelligence and promote self-improvement.
We are committed to providing a welcoming, supportive environment for all participants. We believe that our course can be a transformative experience for participants.
Our Intended Outcomes
Upper Canyon Outreach programs are intended to help participants develop coping skills to manage the stress of military, career and home life. They offer a unique perspective on leadership and communications, and help participants build critical skills that can be applied both professionally and personally.
Equine-assisted programming offers a safe and non-threatening environment for participants to explore emotions. It also engenders a sense of connection and community – which can be especially important to military personnel, Veterans and others who may be feeling isolated or disconnected from family and friends. Our courses help individuals develop a sense of trust, commitment and responsibility in caring with their equine partners, which in turn, fosters a broader sense of purpose and meaning in their lives.
Our programs have created a strong level of trust and continue to gain momentum in the Special Operations Forces (SOF) military community for creating tools that develop a cognitive edge for the future warrior.
While supporting individual active and Veteran personnel, our program is also helping to break the taboo of addressing and promoting mental health within military organizations leading the way for routine cognitive optimization of self and team.
TESTIMONIALS
A Financial Emphasis on Programming
Upper Canyon Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on grants, donations, and fundraising to support its programming.
We run with a lean and dedicated team, committed to minimizing administrative costs and focusing our spending where it matters most – on the delivery and enhancement of programs that change lives. Every dollar donated helps Veterans and service members experience the ranch at no cost and continue their journey of healing and growth long after they leave.
Where Your Dollars Go
68.6% of our expenses go directly toward program services, including course materials, participant supplies, horse care and facility costs.
15.0% supports management and general operations, ensuring the organization runs smoothly and sustainably.
10.6% is dedicated to fundraising and outreach, helping us share our mission and connect with those who make it possible.
The remaining 5.8% covers supplies and essential operational costs to include horse health!
More details will be available in our upcoming Impact Report, which will include information on scholarships, travel, food, lodging, and other participant support costs.
The Tradition of Challenge Coins
Challenge coins have a long and meaningful history, beginning with Roman soldiers who were rewarded for acts of bravery with special coins bearing their legion’s insignia. During World War I, unit coins were given as a sign of identity and belonging to a specific group. In World War II, the tradition evolved – soldiers overseas would use the smallest German currency, the pfennig, in pubs as part of a coin “check” or challenge. Over time, unit coins replaced currency in these games, creating a culture where only those who had earned a coin could participate. From this point forward, all present are accountable if challenged: this is how the coin tradition works.
Facilities
The Ranch – Upper Canyon Outreach is located at Upper Canyon Outfitters in southwest Montana.
Cassie’s great-grandparents, Peck and Mary Tate, homesteaded here in 1910 and began a working ranch that has remained in the family for generations. In 1981, their son Bill and his wife Bernice opened the doors to guests, creating a place where everyone was welcomed to their family table. In the decades that followed, Donna (Bill and Bernice’s daughter) and her husband, Jake McDonald thoughtfully grew the ranch, expanding its hospitality and deepening its roots in the community. In 2026, Donna’s daughter, Cassie, and her husband, Fredy Ubaldo proudly stepped into ownership — carrying forward the family legacy of hard work, land stewardship, and genuine Western welcome.
With the dedication of their family and the support of countless friends, Upper Canyon Outfitters has become one of Montana’s premier guest ranches, and the home base for Upper Canyon Outreach.
The Land – Upper Canyon Outreach operates from the family-owned and operated ranch in Montana’s wild and beautiful Ruby Valley along the banks of the Ruby River. Surrounded by the ranges of the Snowcrest, Greenhorn and Gravelly Mountains, the family has been exploring these lands since their grandfather homesteaded here. There’s really nothing like seeing the lands of the old west the way they were first seen and explored – from horseback. Each course offers riders of all skill levels to saddle up and discover the rugged beauty of Montana’s Big Sky Country.
The Horses
Working with horses in an intentional manner has been found to benefit those suffering from mental health difficulties, such as depression and anxiety, by providing a safe and non-judgmental environment. Equine therapy is used to help people process traumatic experiences in their lives, learn strategies for managing difficult emotions and increase self-awareness. Most importantly, working with horses allows people to build authentic connections.
Impacting Lives
We are grateful for the support and donations provided by our community. As a result, we are able to offer our services and make an impact on the lives of our participants and their support circles.
To find out how you can support us and our efforts, open the link below or contact Britta Vivaldi.