CUSTOMER STORY

Healing Reins

Wranglr brought volunteer scheduling, participant data, and last-minute coverage into one steady, reliable system.

Where Healing Takes Root

At the edge of Bend, Oregon, where the high desert meets wide skies and steady hooves mark the rhythm of the day, Healing Reins Equine Assisted Services comes alive each week. More than 230 participants arrive seeking connection, healing, and growth through equine partnerships. What most people don’t see, though, is the quiet orchestration behind every session—the volunteers, schedules, and moving parts that must align perfectly for the benefits to happen.

When the Back-End Feels Overwhelming

For years, that behind-the-scenes work felt overwhelming. Polly Cohen, Executive Director of Healing Reins, remembers it plainly: staffing lessons was a nightmare. Volunteers were stretched thin, systems were fragmented, and services suffered—not because of a lack of heart or commitment, but because the tools simply couldn’t keep up. In a world where costs are rising and nonprofit staffing is harder than ever, relying on spreadsheets, phone calls, and a single person to hold everything together just wasn’t sustainable.

Bringing Steady Systems to the Barn

That changed when Healing Reins adopted Wranglr. Suddenly, what once felt chaotic began to run with the steady reliability of a well-trained horse. Bridget Albert, Healing Rein’s Volunteer Manager, oversees a community of 180 volunteers and needs at least 100 of them every single week to run programs. With Wranglr, volunteers sign themselves up, participant and horse data live in one place, and filling last-minute gaps no longer means hours of calling and hoping. With a few clicks, Bridget sends out an automated ask—by email and text—to qualified, available volunteers. More often than not, classes are fully staffed within an hour.

More Time for What Matters Most

The impact goes far beyond convenience. Time once spent chasing schedules is now invested where it matters most: clients, volunteers, and horses. Staffing costs are reduced. Stress levels drop. Volunteers feel empowered by a system that’s easy to use, and leadership gains confidence knowing the program isn’t dependent on any one person. As Bridget puts it, they simply couldn’t do this work without volunteers—and they couldn’t manage those volunteers without Wranglr.

Doing More with Less, Without Compromise

After more than 25 years in the therapeutic riding industry, Polly says Wranglr is a game-changer. In a field where resources are tight and the mission is everything, it allows centers like Healing Reins to do more with less—without compromising the care, dignity, and impact at the heart of their work.