AUSTIN, Texas -- An equine therapy ranch is opening its doors as businesses across Texas slowly reopen in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Owner Brenda Ramos said Horsin Around Recovery Ranch had to close in March to protect its clients, made up of mostly military members and children with special needs.

Clients weren’t allowed to visit the animals and fundraising events planned to raise money for the ranch to keep services free were canceled.

Ramos said sustaining the ranch during the delay has put a strain on the nonprofit.

“I’m out here everyday, me and my family, we kinda have an outlet for this COVID thing,” Ramos said. “It’s the other people that benefit from coming out here that we haven’t been able to serve.”

Since reopening, the ranch has only taken in one client and their family. Only one party is allowed in the ranch at a time and all future fundraising events have been postponed.

Ramos said her husband has had to foot the bill for many of the nonprofit’s expenses since the pandemic began.

Sharing equine therapy with others is a personal mission for Ramos. She started the nonprofit in 2017, a year after she was diagnosed with cancer.

“When I came out here I saw how much it helped me,” she said. “I just found so much joy with the horses that I decided to open a nonprofit.”

You can learn more about Horsin Around Recovery Ranch and how to support them on its website.