Tucson, Ariz.--Integrative Touch for Kids (ITK), a national non-profit organization, successfully launched the first ever healing retreat for kids with special needs and their families July 19th-25th, 2009 at the beautiful White Stallion Ranch in Marana, Arizona.

The first of its kind retreat included care for five families with children with special needs for a week long experience that utilized therapies such as equine therapy, massage, acupuncture, storytelling, laughter therapy, meditation, yoga, nutrition, and the best that Western Medicine has to offer. The setting for the first retreat was the gloriously beautiful White Stallion guest ranch that manages to blend the fun feeling of a dude ranch with the quality and service of a fine resort.

Children with chronic, acute and life limiting medical conditions were included in this inaugural event. The program allowed the children, whose ages ranged from two years old to 16 years old, and their families to experience and learn new methods for coping with serious illness and disability. The children and families’ positive responses were extremely encouraging. “Thank you for choosing our family to be a part of this remarkable journey! This week stripped us from all of yesterday’s stress and gave us a new perspective – a renewed life!” said Sandra Swanson, one of the parents who attended the retreat.

The inaugural program was made possible through generous community support. Key supporters included Russell True and the True Family from White Stallion Ranch and Ian Singer of Buckskin Bridge Ranch, who worked collaboratively to lend their direct support and help make this inaugural event possible. Turner Construction Company funded the opening night dinner for the retreat and Tucson Federal Credit Union was a local corporate sponsor. Ed Stolmaker, President and CEO of the Marana Chamber of Commerce, was in attendance for the opening night ceremony and was a supportive ally in the success of the first program.

This inaugural retreat is the first step in the long term development of a new healing center to be built in Tucson that will host children from around the country and the world for healing retreats. Integrative Touch for Kids’ leadership in the field of pediatric integrative medicine is helping to change the way people think about health and healing for children.