At Nature’s Edge Therapy Center in Rice Lake, Wisconsin, healing isn’t confined to sterile clinic walls—it unfolds across 65 acres of rolling fields, blooming gardens, and alongside gentle animals. Founded and directed by speech-language pathologist Becky Payne, Nature’s Edge offers a unique blend of therapeutic services for clients of all ages and abilities, from toddlers in birth-to-three programs to adults recovering from stroke or living with Parkinson’s disease.
A Holistic Approach to Speech and Language
Becky has been passionate about helping people find their voices and when she and her husband moved onto a 65-acre ranch, she noticed remarkable breakthroughs in her patients—babies who began babbling and stroke survivors who spoke spontaneously—once therapy moved beyond four walls. “We put the four walls of a clinic onto a 65-acre ranch so that everyone could get seen, regardless of ability to pay,” Becky explains, reflecting the Center’s commitment to accessibility.
From Rock Quarry to Healing Haven
Becky and her husband discovered the property in 2000—an abandoned rock quarry bisected by a trout stream. “We had to build a driveway and bridge just to get onto our 65-acre property,” Becky recalls. With two young children in tow, they lived in a pickup camper and subcontracted every phase of construction themselves.
At first, patients arrived at a pole-shed clinic furnished with a trailer of therapy materials with Becky’s camper parked nearby. Fencing went up so their two horses—central to future animal-assisted programs—could join them. “Patients would come out and joke we should be on ‘Survivor,’” Becky laughs. One group even named a pasture “Timothy,” while a delighted pediatric client pointed at a wandering cow and exclaimed “Moo!”
Animal-Assisted Therapy and Hippotherapy
Central to Nature’s Edge’s success is the human-animal bond. Trained in animal-assisted therapy by Pet Partners (formerly Delta Society) and in hippotherapy—the use of horseback movement to stimulate the rider’s pelvis, core, and communication centers—Becky harnesses multi-sensory experiences to foster speech, posture, breathing, and social interaction.
Children with autism or behavioral challenges often thrive when their therapy includes grooming a horse, feeding sheep, or planting in the onsite garden. Volunteers like “Grandpa Tom” lead fishing excursions in the trout stream and it’s not uncommon for patients to form lasting relationships. Guided by certified handler Alexis, patients groom and lead horses, while Nicco—a young client—once named his LEGO crab after her.
Horticultural Therapy: Growing Words and Confidence
The Center’s thriving gardens serve more than just aesthetic purposes. Horticultural activities—from identifying colors in flower beds to tasting homegrown vegetables—become playful language lessons. Becky recalls one little girl so wary of veggies that she wouldn’t even touch grass—today she eagerly samples broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and onions, thanks to her “garden-to-table” speech sessions.
By embedding speech exercises in planting, watering, and harvesting routines, Nature’s Edge helps picky eaters expand both their vocabulary and their palates, reinforcing the connection between communication and overall wellness.
A Continuum of Care: From Kids to Veterans
While pediatric clients form the backbone of Nature’s Edge’s programs, adults with neurological conditions also benefit. Veterans recovering from traumatic brain injury or stroke find renewed confidence through personalized speech interventions. Assistive technology specialists train nonverbal clients to express their needs, ensuring that every individual’s voice is heard.
Community Impact and Scholarships
None of this would be possible without community partners. Organizations like Rice Lake Community Health Foundation and a grant from the Wispact Foundation have enabled hundreds of scholarship-funded therapy sessions. Each family’s gratitude—often expressed in heartfelt letters and on GreatNonprofits.org—is a testament to the Center’s life-changing work.
“We have over 250 testimonials on GreatNonprofits.org,” Becky shares. “One family wrote that Nature’s Edge gave their children a future—quality, not just quantity of life” .
Visit Nature’s Edge Today
Whether you’re seeking speech therapy for your toddler, occupational support for your teen, or hope after a neurologic injury, Nature’s Edge Therapy Center invites you to experience their compassionate, nature-based approach firsthand. Tours are available Monday through Friday—call ahead to schedule a visit, meet the team (and the animals!), and discover how nature can unlock new possibilities for communication and connection.