Wide Oak Ranch- Our Story
"This is more than just a ranch—it’s a sanctuary for those seeking transformation, a place where the land and its inhabitants welcome you home."
Since my return to my family ranch in 2019, I’ve learned many lessons, not only from my horse friends, but also from being on the land and slowing down myself–taking in the hills, grass, trees, wild creatures and weather. Many of these lessons live implicitly in my body and my awareness; I don’t know exactly how to express them to others. But I do know, very clearly, how to welcome people to this land and serve as a guide to those who are seeking personal insight and transformation.
To that end, I offer a range of different types of therapeutic experiences here at the ranch, which you can learn more about here.
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I grew up on my family’s 5th generation ranch in the Fremont hills, on the east side of Mission Peak. In my late teens I left California to attend college on the East Coast, and only made it back to the ranch for occasional family visits. I eventually settled in Portland, OR, and learned how to be an adult–gathered an incredible group of friends, went to grad school and became a psychologist, got married, decided not to have children, learned how to work for myself.
Amanda and Snickers, 1979-ish
At some point, I realized I missed California, and more specifically, the hills where I grew up. Visits to the ranch and my parents grew heavier with a sense of nostalgia and homesickness. I felt increasingly tired of the evergreen Pacific Northwest and longed for the smell of eucalyptus, the sound and feel of dry, crackling oak leaves and dusty air, and the view of tall, rolling golden hills.
The longing for home was deeply personal, but there was another pull to this land that was rooted in my sense of self as a psychologist and helper. I had been a somatic trauma therapist for 10+ years and I recognized that the traditional office setting, with its careful decor and professional attire, was no longer aligning with the transformative work I aimed to do with my clients. The path to helping people heal and grow requires not only guiding them but also evolving in my approach. I realized it was time to step outside the conventional framework to create a space that felt more authentic and conducive to the deep, meaningful change I wanted to foster.
The last 4 years of my practice in Portland, I was led to integrate equine-assisted psychotherapy into my regular practice once or twice per week, and immediately noticed changes in my own levels of energy, focus, and optimism, as well as clients’ degrees of openness, self-compassion, and self-regulation. It didn’t take long for me to realize that I needed to return home to the ranch and further explore the ways in which nature and horses can support humans’ need for emotional and spiritual nourishment.
In June 2019, my husband and I closed up our life in Portland and moved to the ranch. In December 2019, I adopted two yearling untamed mustangs from The Wild Horse Sanctuary in Shingletown, and began the process of learning how to be their friend. A few months later, their adopted uncle Griff (aka Skeptical Pony) also joined our little herd.
Luke and Gidget together
Gidget and Griff in the stall
Where we are today
At Wide Oak Ranch, I combine my expertise as a psychologist with the healing power of nature and horses to offer a unique therapeutic experience. This land, these animals, and the lessons they impart have taught me more than any textbook or office could. Here, you won’t find the sterile environment of a traditional therapy office. Instead, you’ll discover the calm that comes from being in nature, the insights that emerge from mindful interaction with horses, and the deep peace that only a connection to the land can bring.
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I invite you to join me at Wide Oak Ranch, whether you’re seeking personal insight, emotional healing, or simply a place to reconnect with yourself. Our offerings are designed to meet you where you are, whether that’s through equine-assisted therapy, guided nature walks, or simply sitting quietly under the shade of an oak tree. This is more than just a ranch—it’s a sanctuary for those seeking transformation, a place where the land and its inhabitants welcome you home.
Amanda Starr, Psy. D.
With the support and guidance of seasoned psychologist Amanda Starr, Psy.D., bring all of your self - your personal history, internal struggles, difficult relationships, and a desire for growth – to the spacious embrace of this land and embark on your own journey of discovery and transformation. Learn more about Amanda and her background here.