All of us here at the H.O.P.E. Ranch Foundation would like to thank you for being a part of our family. You are receiving this message because of your close connection to someone that serves on the Board of Directors or has been impacted by H.O.P.E. Ranch. We all share in our mission to promote and fund the partnering with animals (including but not limited to: equine, dogs, and cats) for clients of all ages who could benefit from animal-assisted psychological services regardless of their ability to pay.
We Need Your Help!
Mental health, also called behavioral health, is one of the lowest reimbursed medical services. Over the past couple of years, reimbursement rates have been decreased. Providers have been told to expect further reduction in reimbursement rates in the coming year or two. The services we provide are essential, even critical. Minnesota has one of the highest suicide rates in the country. Current COVID19 procedures have only exacerbated the problem.
The clients we serve generally have tried more traditional therapy 2 to 5 times, without success, before seeking EAGALA model and animal-assisted therapy. As you can imagine, providing animal-assisted therapy is more expensive than providing traditional in-office therapy. EAGALA model services require both a Mental Health Specialist and an Equine Specialist, in addition to one or more horses. It is getting more and more expensive to feed, care for, and provide veterinary care for the therapy animals. Four other programs in SE MN offering EAGALA model services have had to close their doors. We are determined to keep our doors open. We need your help to do this.
The H.O.P.E Ranch Foundation was formed in 2017 to support H.O.P.E. Ranch. We are reaching out to you with a unique need. We are looking for continued and future support. We have multiple ways for individuals or groups to support the H.O.P.E Ranch Foundation. Some support requests that we have range from your monetary donations to volunteering time to serving on our Board of Directors to helping plan and implement fundraising events.
Your financial donations are used in many important ways that impact H.O.P.E. Ranch as well as the clients who are served here. Scholarships to clients, underwriting the cost of provided programming, care of the animals, and expansion/maintenance of the facilities are just a few of the ways your donations are put to work.
Please consider using one of 3 easy ways to donate:
1. Donate online
2. Call the Foundation office at 507-281-3033 to make a donation by phone
3. Mail a check made out to: HOPE Ranch Foundation
9145 80th Ave SE, Suite B, Chatfield, MN 55923
If you are unable to contribute financially, please keep this information handy and keep us in mind for future charitable giving. And, please share this with people you know who may be interested and ask for their support.
Please consider contributing your time volunteering
1. To serve on our Foundation Board
2. Planning and implementing fundraising events/activities.
If you yourself are unable to volunteer, please think about people you know who have a heart for our mission, and skills to contribute, and refer them to us.
Please feel free to reach out to us directly at 507-281-3033 with any questions related to this request. Your support is needed now to help fulfill our urgent need to respond to declining community mental health.
Warm Regards,
Cheryl Kliewer
President of H.O.P.E. Ranch Foundation
&
Kit Muellner
CEO & Founder of H.O.P.E. Ranch
H.O.P.E. Ranch is a Special Place – Lauren’s Story
 As a middle schooler with a fresh ADHD diagnosis, I was angry and ready to keep it bottled up for the rest of my life when I found H.O.P.E. Ranch. Therapy has become like taking vitamins for me. It is a supplemental part of my routine that keeps me healthy. Over the years, I have worked through issues and symptoms surrounding ADHD, Depression, Anxiety, Eating Disorders, etc. I have filled a mental toolbox to help manage the inevitable challenges in life. I continue to hone skills I call upon when weighing whether to face & deal with something, put it away for later, or let it go.
The animals at H.O.P.E. Ranch are wonderful and important. I have cried with cats in my lap. I have laughed walking with dogs. I have stood in silence with horses accepting that it is time for certain things to surface. Watching the way Kit interacts with the animals reassures me, that she will treat me, and everyone, with dignity and respect.
I came to H.O.P.E. Ranch with ideas of shame and stigma around mental illness. I continue to come to H.O.P.E. Ranch full of love and acceptance for myself as a whole human – a professional, daughter, sister, aunt, friend, dog owner, etc. – on a journey of mental health. The struggle is real, and I keep going. Kit and everyone at H.O.P.E. Ranch play a role in that.
There is real magic that happens in the presence of all the life at H.O.P.E. Ranch. – Lauren |
Have fun and support HOPE Ranch Foundation by joining us for PAINT for HOPE.
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My name is Brianne and I have been coming to H.O.P.E. Ranch since I was 17 years old. I am now 28 and I can honestly say I would not be who or where I am today without Kit, H.O.P.E. Ranch, and all the animals.
Name: Allyson Pierce
Hi! My name is Twilight (Twi to my friends and family). I met Kit on her porch in late June 2019 while Kit was talking with Sharon on the phone that afternoon. I walked right up, introduced myself, and made myself at home. Kit shared my photo with Sharon during that call and we three became instant friends that day. 
HOPE Ranch remains open during the COVID-19 outbreak.