In addition to horses, Cherry Gulch also has a number of small and mid sized animals for students to care for and interact with such as dogs, cats, goats, sheep, a rabbit and sometimes chickens, turkeys, or pigs.

Not all boys schools offer animal assisted psychotherapy like Cherry Gulch. Taking care of animals can be therapeutic and petting them is soothing. Cherry Gulch has a hospital/therapeutic dog-in-training his name is Elmo. These dogs have mild temperaments and specific training which will allow them to be certified hospital dogs. These dogs will be safe for students to interact with, help protect the small animals and alert staff to any unauthorized persons on the ranch premises. A number of scientific studies have documented the therapeutic influence animals have on people.

Staff members who are trained experts in animal care supervise the animal facilities and make sure that the animals are being cared for appropriately. They also teach the students about the animals and how to care for them. Students have the option of being enrolled in 4H where they can gain further knowledge of plants and animals as well as a wide range of other skills.