Equine Therapy was a voluntary class to take at Luminance, the recovery center I was in. I i…read moreitially thought this would be incredibly stupid, and an absolute waste of time. I was 100% wrong. The experience was amazingly incredible. We were told the horses were very intuitive, and I quickly discovered that myself. Dealing with both PTSD and the opiate addiction that came with it, my thoughts and feelings, and my energy output were all negative. And based on the exercise we were doing, the horse I had chosen reacted negatively. About to give up, I cleared my mind and tried my best to find peace, and for the first time that afternoon, the horse did a total about face, and the exercise took an unexpected and life changing turn. From that moment on, I knew I had to face the horrors of my past if I were to have a future. The horses, and the incredible staff, at Intuit are simply amazing. If you put your all in it, you will walk out of the therapy with a new insight. The staff are caring and compassionate, and clearly love what they are doing. They will listen if you want to talk. They will allow you to be as open or as quiet as you wish. I cannot recommend Intuit and the Equine Therapy enough. What I experienced there is a story I share to this day, now a month shy of a year since I was there. I promise you, if you enter the therapy with Intuit with an open mind, your life will be altered in ways that you never thought possible.

I had an uncomfortable encounter with one of the therapists at the stables one afternoon when I…read morewent to visit the horses. The stables are publicly accessible and open to visitors who wish to pet the animals. However, I was approached abruptly and somewhat rudely by a staff member when I was simply observing the horses. I had had a long, challenging day and was taking a walk in the area, which I associate with a place where I once took riding lessons--an environment that felt more welcoming. During this encounter, I was told in a dismissive manner that unless I was volunteering to clean up after the horses, I was not welcome in that area. The staff member did not introduce herself or explain her concerns when she approached me, nor did she clarify whether my actions might be problematic, which I found unusual. I attempted to understand her reasoning, noting that the section of the facility where the therapy horses are kept is owned by the OC Fairgrounds, not the therapy center itself. It was concerning to me that a mental health professional would use such a tone and display an attitude that implies members of the public are not welcome. If she intended to represent herself professionally--as someone who embodies qualities like compassion and empathy--she fell short. I attempted to engage in a respectful, adult conversation but was met with dismissiveness that suggested a lack of regard for public interaction. This behavior was disappointing and not reflective of the professionalism I would expect from someone in her position. Additionally, she seemed to assume that the barn aisle should remain completely private, but this is an open area with no doors or offices, intended to be accessible to the public. If she was conducting a therapy session in that space, it should have taken place indoors in a private room--this is standard practice for maintaining confidentiality. Since she made no effort to communicate with me or clarify what was happening, I had no way of knowing her intentions. Given the public nature of the space, I believe it is important for staff to set clear boundaries, but also to communicate openly with visitors. Overall, her attitude and demeanor felt confrontational and elitist, which was unprofessional. I cannot imagine a therapist with this level of aggression working with families or creating a comforting environment. The ranch is called the Ranch Community because it is intended for members of the public, and the signs in the stable clearly welcome visitors to pet the horses. I had confirmed with the ranch prior to my visit that the area was open to the public. Her behavior seemed to be an unnecessary display of frustration or entitlement. Furthermore, the facility is owned and operated by the City of Costa Mesa, not the therapy center, which raises questions about the expectation of privacy in this open area. If the therapy center owned the barn, I might consider her attitude more credible; however, given that the space is open and accessible, I believe respectful communication is essential. Overall, her attitude did not create a welcoming or therapeutic atmosphere, which is disappointing.

A truly magical and heartwarming experience Watching my…read moredaughter connect with the animals in such a gentle and peaceful way was deeply special -- a moment I will always carry in my heart. The owners are incredibly kind and welcoming, and the animals are calm and lovingly cared for, creating an environment that feels safe, serene, and full of love. I wholeheartedly recommend this beautiful place. It's more than a visit -- it's a meaningful connection.

We had The Little Zoo come out for my son's birthday party and the kids absolutely loved it. Even…read moremost of the adults were intrigued and huddled in as close as they could. They came with a wide variety of animals that were interesting to see, pet and feed in some circumstances. They kept the kids interested and attentive the entire time and the pacing of the show and the introduction and explanation of the animals was perfect. What an amazingly fun and educational experience.

Today, I had my first of eight therapy sessions with Kedra Holderman and her herd at Peaceful…read moreHearts Ranch. I wasn't sure what to expect, and I received warm and friendly greetings from both Kedra and her team of horses. I am super excited for what's to come. The entire experience, from the introductory chat with Kedra prior to, the drive there (beautiful), the ranch itself, and my first therapy session make me feel hopeful! Can't wait to go back next Wednesday.

Thank you Kedra for the wonderful experience! We really enjoyed Elfin Forest and spending time with…read moreKachina! We are looking forward to our next visit.

We just completed Ryan's "Puppy Course" and "Intermediate Course" over an 8 week period with our…read moreGolden Retriever. Ryan is the perfect combination of kindness, patience, and command. "Finn" responded enthusiastically to the curriculum and more importantly to Ryan's style of delivery. We appreciated Ryan's ability to connect trained behaviors to everyday situations, and suggest small changes that delivered big results. The key for Finn was taking the tools from class and implementing/reinforcing them on walks, at the dog park, outdoor shopping malls, or just around the house. The key for me was Ryan's use of an audio system - even in an outdoor (covered) group environment it was easy to listen and comprehend the concepts as Ryan explained strategy (the "why") and the supporting tactics (the "how"). We're looking forward to Ryan's advanced class and eventually a CGC certification.

Has eyes in back of his head, doesn't miss anything. Trains the owners! Behaviorist. He's perfect…read moreand so kind! I've used him for at least 10 yrs. Highly recommend!

There are no words to truly express how grateful my family is for Dr. Nicole and the entire Serene…read morePassages team. Recently, we had to help our almost 18-year-old dachshund, Dodger, cross the Rainbow Bridge. He had been with me since I was a teenager, so we truly grew up together. He wasn't just a dog. He was family. As the last of our five-dachshund dynasty, saying goodbye marked the end of an era for our family. We were there the day he was born, and nearly two decades later, it felt like such a full-circle moment to surround him with that same love as we helped him peacefully cross the Rainbow Bridge. From my very first phone call, I knew we were in the right hands. In full transparency, I wasn't my best self when Don answered, as I had been dreading making that call. Yet he met me with nothing but patience, kindness, and compassion. He answered every question without ever making me feel rushed and quickly replaced my fear with peace. His care didn't stop there. On the day of our appointment, he kept me updated on when to expect Dr. Nicole, checked in afterward, notified our primary veterinarian of Dodger's passing, and handled every detail with incredible thoughtfulness. He truly provided a white-glove experience, allowing us to focus entirely on loving Dodger instead of managing the logistics. The handwritten note we received afterward meant more to our family than he'll probably ever know. Dr. Nicole gave our family the most beautiful gift: a peaceful, love-filled goodbye at home. From the moment she arrived, her expertise and emotional intelligence were evident. She took the time to get to know Dodger and our family before anything else, allowing what could have felt like a heartbreaking appointment to instead become a meaningful celebration of his life. She thoughtfully explained every step, intuitively meeting each of us exactly where we were in our grief. She somehow knew when to speak, when to sit quietly, when to gently guide us, and when to give us space. She made sure each member of our family was truly ready before moving forward, honoring that everyone grieves differently. What impressed me most was that she never allowed the experience to feel clinical. Every detail was handled with remarkable tenderness and intention. Even something as routine as placing Dodger's catheter was done so thoughtfully and discreetly that our focus remained entirely on loving him instead of the medical process. Afterward, she lovingly swaddled him with such care and respect that it felt like she was caring for one of her own. Every interaction reflected dignity, compassion, and genuine love. As heartbreaking as that day was, Dr. Nicole gave us the incredible gift of peace, allowing us to be fully present with Dodger in his final moments and leaving us with the comfort of knowing we had given him the beautiful goodbye he deserved. Thank you, Dr. Nicole, Don, and the Serene Passages team for treating not only Dodger, but our entire family, with such dignity, compassion, and love. You transformed what could have been one of the most heartbreaking days of our lives into one that honored a life so deeply loved. We will carry that gift with us forever.

This is such an incredibly difficult decision for any of us faced with the rapid deterioration of…read moreour lifelong family companion. Our Bella was a 15 year old Aussie when we made the decision to euthanize her at home. Dr Nicole communicated with us throughout the day as to her arrival time. She was so extremely kind and supportive. She explained to us how the process works and gave us as much time as we needed to say our goodbyes. This was the best possible outcome for an incredibly painful experience. It has been a month since Bella's death and I finally can write this without crying. Dr Nicole really helped us feel that we had made the right decision. Godspeed Bella and thank you so much for all your love over the many years.

We have been bringing our 90lb Mastiff/Lab mix to OC Dog Ranch for the last few years every time…read moreour family travels 4+ days. I am so happy I found this place - was recommended by someone through word of mouth. It is wide open space for our dog to run, and I love that because it is SO much better than her being boarded in a room with 50 other dogs. Staff will send you updates - and we always get a picture of our happy dog with other happy dogs. Staff also sends a report card. Always respond asap when I reach out and ask how she's doing.

They were good back in 2020 when Dana bought the place and were hungry for customers. The…read moretraining here has gone way done. They are more interested in Dog Boarding for the mega rich in Laguna and Newport Beach now based on how few trainers they have and the huge kennel staff they have hired. I had my dog trained here years ago as a pup but now he has some behavior issues that I know they can fix, but they don't want to touch him. The Secretary's exact words - "it might be better to find another trainer". This is how they treat past customers that spent thousands to have their dog trained here. ZERO CONCERN! DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME AT THIS PLACE!!!!

From our very first session until now, he has taught me so much. He's incredibly knowledgeable, and…read morealways explains the methods from how dogs think and perceive the world and how the training ties into it. The progress I've seen has been amazing, and I've learned how to communicate with my dog in a way that has strengthened our bond. I highly recommend Josh and Bark Busters OC to anyone looking for a trainer who truly knows what they're doing!

I have 2 dogs, a chaotic puppy and a fear reactive German shepherd. Before working with Josh, I…read morefelt like I was always managing my dogs but still couldn't fully trust them in real life. Now they're calm, confident, and make way better decisions on their own. I can take them pretty much anywhere, which wasn't the case before. He also helped my German Shepherd become a lot more comfortable around people and other dogs. Biggest shift honestly was me. I'm way more confident, less stressed, and actually know how to communicate and teach my dogs without relying on tools. If you want a dog you can actually live life with, I'd 100% recommend Josh!

Mike is the best!…read more He's reliable, attentive, and I can always count on him if I need care for my boy. I would definitely recommend his services to anyone in the San Clemente area. My pup absolutely loves him and I know he's taken care of when he's with Mike!!

We've been working with Mike for years since my dog was just a few months old. My dog is 12 this…read moreyear and Mike takes really good care of her in her golden years. My dog Mox is especially challenging with her health issues, but I can breathe better knowing Mike has her well taken care of. He even has pet first aid kit and such with him. He left an ointment for her when she had a skin infection. Mike is awesome all around good guy!

I've seen the other negative reviews for this place and I'm surprised. One doesn't even seem to be…read morefor this location, seems like they're talking about one of the other residential sites. Overall the quality of care staff provides, as well as their depth and breadth of clinical knowledge is nothing but a help and a relief to the community as a whole. I would recommend Embark Newport Beach one hundred times over, and I do!

0 stars. All about the insurance money. Clients are encouraged to spend an inordinate amount of…read moretime there which impedes their education and that fact is dismissed by all levels of management. Education is discouraged and most end up home schooled or in online school due to nature of schedule.. Only focus is on as many hours spent there as possible to get insurance money. Main therapist is rude, smug, dismissive, combative and creates a hostile environment. Clients unsafe around other clients, most of whom are drug users. One tried to break the door down and everyone had to hide in the corner of a dark room until the police arrived. Not safe at all! Director dismisses everything in effort to keep clients there for insurance money. If your child is struggling, this place will only make things worse.

It's a great organization and the founder is excellent. The organization helps people to live…read moreAutism in a positive way.

From the owner:  [I Know Autism Foundation] is committed to inspiring and supporting individuals with autism…read morethrough motivational speaking, focusing on critical issues such as suicide prevention, substance abuse awareness, and violence prevention. Our mission is to provide hope, guidance, and solutions to help autistic individuals navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop a positive outlook on life