Allan J. Hamilton, MD

Allan is the President of Rancho Bosque LLC. Allan acquired an interest in horses at a very early age. During his undergraduate years, he taught horseback riding and horsemanship at summer camp. He pursued training with Pat Per elli, John Lyons, Monty Roberts, Greg Kersten, as well as many others.

Allan graduated from Harvard Medical School and completed his Residency in Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He is currently Professor of Surgery, Radiation Oncology, Psychology and Computer and Electrical Engineering at the University of Arizona. He is the director of the Arizona Simulation and Technology Education Center (ASTEC). Allan is considered one of the nation's leading experts on brain tumors as well as in the applications of computers to train surgeons, health care providers, and first responder personnel. His groundbreaking work employing equine facilitated learning to enhance bedside manner and nonverbal communication skills among health care professionals has received worldwide recognition.

Allan has developed horsemanship programs for at-risk youth, cancer support, industry and healthcare. His work as a horseman and innovator has been featured in Western Horseman, Equus, Practical Horseman, Spirituality and Health, as well as on PBS, CNN, and NBC television. Allan's first book "The Scalpel and the Soul: Encounters with Surgery, the Supernatural, and the Healing Power of Hope", which received the Silver Nautilus Award, tells the stories behind remarkable patients and events, and shares the moral and spiritual lessons found in them. His new book, Zen Mind, Zen Horse: The Science and Spirituality of Working With Horses, provides the basis for mn=any of the new Rancho Bosque programs.

Jane F. Hamilton, PhD

Jane is the Clinical Director of Rancho Bosque. She is a licensed clinical psychologist, instructor and psychotherapist. She obtained her Ph.D. in Psychology from Boston College, and her Master's Degree from Harvard University. She maintains a clinical private practice at Rancho Bosque, where she provides counseling, therapy, assessment, consultation, supervision, training and continuing education. In addition, she teaches college and graduate level classes in Psychology, Sociology, Professional Development and Criminal Counseling. She is certified in clinical hypnosis as well as equine-assisted therapy.

Jane has been a first grade teacher, a Principle Psychologist at a state institution, and an advisor to a national organization for at-risk adolescents. She has served on the board of directors of various community agencies serving the needs of families, women, children and the arts. Jane offers traditional psychotherapy services to individuals, couples, families, and groups in the peaceful and private office at the Ranch.

The Hamilton Team

The equine-assisted learning run by the Hamiltons and the Rancho Bosque staff have been featured on ABC Television news and written about in Western Horseman, Horse and Rider, and Equus magazines. Together, the Hamiltons created an equine facilitated therapy program for a national provider to troubled, adjudicated youth-at-risk in residential treatment facilities. They present innovative seminars which provide support to victims of cancer--patients, survivors, families, and caretakers. Along with their team, the Hamiltons have presented countless classes, seminars and programs. They have promoted the benefits of equine facilitated programming before Irish Parliament, have been keynote presenters and have conducted multi-day, interactive seminars in many varied settings.

Lex Deines

Lex is the Ranch Manager and Head Trainer at Rancho Bosque. Lex was brought up on working cattle and horse ranches in Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona. Lex is a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys of America and still actively competes in Team Roping competitions. Lex has had extensive experience overseeing horse and cattle operations and showing horses in AQHA Performance, Western Pleasure, Barrel Racing and Reining and Cutting events. Lex personally oversees the training of all the ranch horses and especially enjoys starting our foals and working on our roping horses.

Samantha Biffar

With a lifetime experience with horses, Samantha had a full rodeo scholarship to Cal State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California. Shortly after graduation, she became a member of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, where she actively competes in the Barrel Racing event.

She then began a large Riding Lesson Academy, Girl Scout Horsemanship Badge Program, and a horse training facility. She is known for her work with non-profit organizations working with at-risk youth using Equine Assisted Therapy. Samantha works with all of Rancho Bosque's EAT Seminars. She is also a full time teacher and directs the Agricultural Sciences Program for one of the largest school districts in the country.