My involvement with Echo Ranch grew out of my current work with Sound Equine Options. Kim, who is on the SEO Board, and I had previously talked about creating programs with our rescue horses that would connect survivors of domestic violence with equine therapy under the guidance of our main trainer Stacey Riggs. The Agents of Change Capstone seemed like the perfect opportunity to fulfill that dream. There were more difficulties with starting up the class than originally thought, and although everyone was on board, it didn't seem feasible in such a short period of time. Stacey had a student, Dorine, who was in the process of starting up a non-profit that was headed in the exact direction I wanted to be going with my degree and future career.
Dorine lives on seventy acres she is currently in the process of fixing up so it is ready for horses and people to come together and learn from each other. The property was neglected for a long time, but the bones of the structure are good. With so much land, there is great opportunity to take the Ranch in many directions, including expanding to other farm animals. Some of the programs that are currently being researched and prepared for are:
Much of the work I have been doing for Echo Ranch has been short term and long term planning to help the organization get off its feet. Being a new non-profit has some unique challenges, including how to find funding. We've come up with quite a few ideas to help us get fencing and get started having horses on the property.
Right now, coming to the close of this term, I'm just really excited to continue on with Echo Ranch. Echo Ranch is the type of place I want to eventually work at after pursuing further education in counseling and equine science.
Dorine lives on seventy acres she is currently in the process of fixing up so it is ready for horses and people to come together and learn from each other. The property was neglected for a long time, but the bones of the structure are good. With so much land, there is great opportunity to take the Ranch in many directions, including expanding to other farm animals. Some of the programs that are currently being researched and prepared for are:
- Tool Library
- Community Garden
- Farm Animal Sanctuary
- Community Education: Automotive, Carpentry, Gardening, Sewing
Much of the work I have been doing for Echo Ranch has been short term and long term planning to help the organization get off its feet. Being a new non-profit has some unique challenges, including how to find funding. We've come up with quite a few ideas to help us get fencing and get started having horses on the property.
Right now, coming to the close of this term, I'm just really excited to continue on with Echo Ranch. Echo Ranch is the type of place I want to eventually work at after pursuing further education in counseling and equine science.