Pecan Valley Centers and T.E.X.A.S. Rescue Expand Donkey Therapy Partnership for Individuals Seeking Substance Use Treatment
- Callie Wren
- Mar 24
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 25
Granbury, Texas—Pecan Valley Centers for Behavioral and Developmental Healthcare is proud to announce an expanded partnership with T.E.X.A.S. Rescue to integrate donkey-assisted therapy into substance use disorder (SUD) treatment services.
This expanded collaboration builds on the two organizations’ existing two-year partnership providing donkey therapy to veterans. Donkey-assisted therapy sessions will be led by a mental health therapist and will be available to individuals receiving outpatient substance use treatment through Pecan Valley Centers.
“Recovery is not one-size-fits-all,” said Joshua Morrison, Pecan Valley Centers Director of Veteran and Substance Use Disorder Services. “By expanding our partnership with T.E.X.A.S. Rescue, we’re giving people in substance use treatment an additional, powerful way to engage in healing. Donkey therapy helps reduce stress and create space for meaningful therapeutic breakthroughs.”
T.E.X.A.S. Rescue, a Granbury-based nonprofit, is widely recognized for rescuing, rehabilitating, and providing lifelong sanctuary to abused and neglected donkeys, horses, and mules. The organization’s mission is rooted in the belief that rescued animals—many of whom have experienced trauma themselves—can help people feel safe, grounded, and understood during difficult moments.
“Donkeys have an incredible ability to meet people exactly where they are, without judgment,” said Tracy Miller, founder of T.E.X.A.S. Rescue. “I’ve experienced firsthand how these gentle animals help individuals process trauma, calm their nervous systems, and reconnect with themselves in ways that promote healing. We’re honored to expand this partnership with Pecan Valley Centers to support people on their substance use recovery journey.”
Pecan Valley Centers’ substance use disorder services offer comprehensive, outpatient, trauma-informed care for adolescents and adults. Treatment includes individual, group, and family counseling; relapse prevention; psychoeducation; and aftercare planning. The addition of donkey-assisted therapy addresses aspects of healing that traditional clinical settings may not always reach.
Pecan Valley Centers and T.E.X.A.S. Rescue look forward to continued collaboration that fosters compassionate, holistic care. For more information on Pecan Valley Centers' substance use treatment, call 1-800-772-5987 or visit pecanvalley.org/sud-services.
Pecan Valley Centers is the Local Mental Health and Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority for six Texas counties: Hood, Johnson, Erath, Somervell, Parker and Palo Pinto. The organization is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic and provides mental health and IDD community support services to individuals regardless of health insurance status or ability to pay.
