Melissa Vaught

Licensed Occupational Therapist

Melissa is a licensed Occupational Therapist who graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina.  She has been practicing for over 20 years primarily in the area of pediatrics.  Melissa is skilled in using sensory modalities to work with children on the Autism Spectrum.  She currently has received her micro-credentials for Autism by the National Board of Occupational Therapy.  Melissa has also received certification for treating children with sensory impairments and is SIPT certified. Having grown up with horses Melissa has always been interested in combining her skills with horses and children with Autism.  She completed Level 1 and Level 2 coursework for hippotherapy in 2006.

 

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🌿 Farm Gatherings at Fox Moon Farm — A Safe Haven for Your Whole Family 🌿

So many families raising a child with special needs know this feeling: scanning a room before you walk in, watching for stares, bracing for the moment your child needs to move, or make noise, or just be themselves — and wondering if this place will be understanding, or one more space you have to manage instead of enjoy.

At Fox Moon Farm, that worry can rest.

Here, the way your child moves through the world isn't something to explain or apologize for. It's simply our norm. Children are free to run, to be loud, to stim, to laugh too big or need a quiet minute — and no one is watching to judge. Parents can finally exhale. Read a book by the lake. Cast a line and let the afternoon slow down. Watch your child play without watching everyone else watch your child.

This is what Farm Gatherings are for: a day, or a full weekend, where your family gets to just be — together, unguarded, at peace.

While you're here, meet our horses and donkeys, feed the goats and chickens, and hold one of our four brand-new baby goats. Fish, boat, or swim on the lake. Hike our woods, try our new ropes course, or grab the mic for karaoke on the Mama Stage. Our cabin offers a full kitchen and shower for overnight stays, and our gazebo by the water is perfect for shade and a family barbecue.

Fox Moon Farm is a place where differences aren't tolerated — they're celebrated. Where your family can catch its breath.

👉 Learn more and start planning your visit on our Gatherings page — link in bio.
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🌿 Farm Gatherings at Fox Moon Farm — A Safe Haven for Your Whole Family 🌿So many families raising a child with special needs know this feeling: scanning a room before you walk in, watching for stares, bracing for the moment your child needs to move, or make noise, or just be themselves — and wondering if this place will be understanding, or one more space you have to manage instead of enjoy.At Fox Moon Farm, that worry can rest.Here, the way your child moves through the world isnt something to explain or apologize for. Its simply our norm. Children are free to run, to be loud, to stim, to laugh too big or need a quiet minute — and no one is watching to judge. Parents can finally exhale. Read a book by the lake. Cast a line and let the afternoon slow down. Watch your child play without watching everyone else watch your child.This is what Farm Gatherings are for: a day, or a full weekend, where your family gets to just be — together, unguarded, at peace.While youre here, meet our horses and donkeys, feed the goats and chickens, and hold one of our four brand-new baby goats. Fish, boat, or swim on the lake. Hike our woods, try our new ropes course, or grab the mic for karaoke on the Mama Stage. Our cabin offers a full kitchen and shower for overnight stays, and our gazebo by the water is perfect for shade and a family barbecue.Fox Moon Farm is a place where differences arent tolerated — theyre celebrated. Where your family can catch its breath.👉 Learn more and start planning your visit on our Gatherings page — link in bio.Image attachmentImage attachment+6Image attachment

"I am different, not less." — Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin has spent her life showing the world what autistic minds can do — and she's spent just as much time showing us what animals understand that words sometimes can't reach.

That's the heart of what we do at Fox Moon. Every child who steps onto our farm is met exactly as they are — not fixed, not changed, just seen. The horses don't need a child to make eye contact or find the right words. They just need honesty. And that's something every one of our kids already has.

#DifferentNotLess #AutismAcceptance #TempleGrandin, #foxmoonfarmproject
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I am different, not less. — Temple GrandinTemple Grandin has spent her life showing the world what autistic minds can do — and shes spent just as much time showing us what animals understand that words sometimes cant reach.Thats the heart of what we do at Fox Moon. Every child who steps onto our farm is met exactly as they are — not fixed, not changed, just seen. The horses dont need a child to make eye contact or find the right words. They just need honesty. And thats something every one of our kids already has.#DifferentNotLess #AutismAcceptance #TempleGrandin, #foxmoonfarmproject

Jayla asked a visitor to stay and watch her ride. The visitor couldn't. Jayla just... let it be okay.

That's not nothing. For a kid who's worked hard to manage big feelings after early trauma, handling disappointment with this much grace is a milestone worth celebrating. Disappointment could mean shutting down completely. Not this time.

That same steadiness carried through her whole session. Jayla walked our Program Director through her own warm-up routine with Merlin, then built out a full riding pattern from scratch — a bridge, poles, and everything in between. She planned it, explained it back correctly, and rode it again and again with more focus and engagement than we've seen from her yet.

Before wrapping up, she set three goals to keep growing: keeping her hands forward, having fun, and practicing her pattern work with Merlin. Then the two of them headed out for a trail ride through the forest, with a little trotting to celebrate a job well done.

This is what healing with horses looks like — not just riding, but resilience, self-confidence, and emotional regulation, one session at a time. Jayla is a horse girl through and through, and we couldn't be prouder of how far she's come. 🤎

Interested in how equine-assisted learning supports kids like Jayla? Learn more or support our work — link in bio.

#HealingWithHorses #EquineTherapy #TraumaInformedCare #ResilienceInAction #HorseGirl
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Jayla asked a visitor to stay and watch her ride. The visitor couldnt. Jayla just... let it be okay.Thats not nothing. For a kid whos worked hard to manage big feelings after early trauma, handling disappointment with this much grace is a milestone worth celebrating. Disappointment could mean shutting down completely. Not this time.That same steadiness carried through her whole session. Jayla walked our Program Director through her own warm-up routine with Merlin, then built out a full riding pattern from scratch — a bridge, poles, and everything in between. She planned it, explained it back correctly, and rode it again and again with more focus and engagement than weve seen from her yet.Before wrapping up, she set three goals to keep growing: keeping her hands forward, having fun, and practicing her pattern work with Merlin. Then the two of them headed out for a trail ride through the forest, with a little trotting to celebrate a job well done.This is what healing with horses looks like — not just riding, but resilience, self-confidence, and emotional regulation, one session at a time. Jayla is a horse girl through and through, and we couldnt be prouder of how far shes come. 🤎Interested in how equine-assisted learning supports kids like Jayla? Learn more or support our work — link in bio.#HealingWithHorses #EquineTherapy #TraumaInformedCare #ResilienceInAction #HorseGirlImage attachmentImage attachment
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Healing, Learning, and Growing Together: Empowering Lives through Horses, Community, and Wellness.