This beautiful, sweet kitty needs a home!
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.
I have had depression most of my life and there were many times it was literally debilitating. I could not get out of bed. I was not eating. I was not showering. I was not functioning or participating in my life. I had 5 different psychotherapists before we were referred to H.O.P.E. Ranch. I remember that first session, I felt like I connected with her and the animals immediately. I told her a lot of things I had not told any of my previous therapists.
I love the animals being available for sessions. I was very connected to their old therapy dog, Honey. I would spend a lot of time on the floor either brushing her, massaging her back, or just petting her – especially if a day was really rough. Being in the fresh air in the country is a huge factor in my self-care.
When I first came to H.O.P.E. Ranch, a lot of my issues were very big. Kit and I would work through scenarios with the horses and it helped me immensely. I used that information and the coping skills I learned in my everyday life. There is a lot of stigma about mental health and the animals never judge me, I always feel completely accepted there. I never used to tell anybody if anything was bothering me. I used to say, “I’m fine, I’m okay”. Now I am more assertive and can say if something is bothering me or if I need something, I can handle confrontation, I have more confidence in general.
My family including my parents, my younger brother, my husband, and my daughter have all been supportive of me when I have needed a helping hand. Mental health affects more than the person with a diagnosis. It affects those around that person, daily.
I am a much stronger person than I was when I first started coming here. I have had a lot of success talking with Kit and being around all the animals. I will always continue to go there. It helps settle me. I always leave feeling much calmer and stronger.
Would you like to help H.O.P.E Ranch? Consider donating today!
When families need us, we answer that call. Our current needs are greater than our funding streams. COVID-19 has stretched many of us to our limits. Anxiety, depression, isolation stress is affecting us all. We are here to help you and many others who need support via animal-assisted psychotherapy.
We Need Your Help!
Could you give today? $50, $100, $150 would make a huge difference!!
Our horses need $240 of farrier services to trim hooves every 6 weeks.
We have families who need funding – One family of six needs immediate scholarship funding totaling $1620 for psychotherapy to help them heal from the trauma of losing their home to a fire along with everything else they are dealing with related to COVID-19.
Our Stories are Your Stories
We all share in our mission to promote and heal through partnering with animals for clients of all ages who could benefit from animal-assisted psychological services regardless of their ability to pay. We all can promote healing individually and as a community. The H.O.P.E Ranch Foundation provides in-depth services to support healing on our ranch southeast of Rochester.
Donate Today
Your financial donations are used in many important ways that impact H.O.P.E. Ranch and our clients. 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 today:
1. Donate online
2. Call the Foundation office at 507-281-3033 to donate by phone
3. Mail a check made out to: H.O.P.E. Ranch Foundation
9145 80th Ave SE, Suite B, Chatfield, MN 55923
Reach out to us directly at 507-281-3033 with any questions.
Please donate TODAY to help fulfill our urgent need to restore 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
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.
I have had depression most of my life and there were many times it was literally debilitating. I could not get out of bed. I was not eating. I was not showering. I was not functioning or participating in my life. I had 5 different psychotherapists before we were referred to H.O.P.E. Ranch. I remember that first session, I felt like I connected with her and the animals immediately. I told her a lot of things I had not told any of my previous therapists.
I love the animals being available for sessions. I was very connected to their old therapy dog, Honey. I would spend a lot of time on the floor either brushing her, massaging her back, or just petting her – especially if a day was really rough. Being in the fresh air in the country is a huge factor in my self-care.
When I first came to H.O.P.E. Ranch, a lot of my issues were very big. Kit and I would work through scenarios with the horses and it helped me immensely. I used that information and the coping skills I learned in my everyday life. There is a lot of stigma about mental health and the animals never judge me, I always feel completely accepted there. I never used to tell anybody if anything was bothering me. I used to say, “I’m fine, I’m okay”. Now I am more assertive and can say if something is bothering me or if I need something, I can handle confrontation, I have more confidence in general.
My family including my parents, my younger brother, my husband, and my daughter have all been supportive of me when I have needed a helping hand. Mental health affects more than the person with a diagnosis. It affects those around that person, daily.
I am a much stronger person than I was when I first started coming here. I have had a lot of success talking with Kit and being around all the animals. I will always continue to go there. It helps settle me. I always leave feeling much calmer and stronger.
Would you like to help H.O.P.E Ranch? Consider donating today!
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Name: Allyson PierceRole at HOPE RANCH:
Chore Helper and so much more!
When did you start:
August 2019
College:
Bellarmine University
Major:
Psychology
Pets:
Cali, an Australian shepherd/hound dog mix
Hobbies:
Reading, Hiking, Kayaking, Refinishing Furniture, and DIY projects around the house!
Favorite movie, book or song:
My favorite movie is Good Will Hunting and my favorite book is Are We Smart Enough to Know How Smart Animals Are?
What do you love about HOPE Ranch:
I love that HOPE Ranch offers a holistic approach to mental health and overall well-being, set on a beautiful farm with the sweetest animals around!
The HOPE Ranch Foundation is running a sale of used tack, generously donated to the HOPE Ranch Foundation by the RCTC Equine program. We have western and English saddles, bits, girths, saddle pads, and so much more! Take this opportunity to support a local business and get ready for the upcoming show season and trail riding! The tack will be sold in as-is condition and the proceeds will benefit the foundation.
**COVID-19 NOTE: These items are available for pickup. Our Covid-19 Business Preparedness Plan requires that all staff, clients, and visitors be masked and sanitize hands before or upon entering any building. You can reserve items by emailing allysonp96@gmail.com and we will hold them until you can pick up. If you need more detailed pictures or measurements to make a decision, please feel free to reach out!
Pictures of all of the items with descriptions and prices are available here. If you’re interested in purchasing or have questions about any of the listed items, please contact Christiana at hoperanchmn@gmail.com.
!
Many of you followed the story of Twilight, the stray cat, who wandered into our lives when she showed up at HOPE Ranch one summer day. We finally found a forever home, for which she is very grateful. Twilight wanted to share the story of how she found her forever home by traveling all the way to California!
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.
Kit gave me some food and I decided to stay. I became a house cat along with her other (indoor) felines and her dog Sadie (Sadie is indoor/outdoor) ☺ . Sadie and I got along well but the kitties didn’t like me much , so I had to live alone in the living room / the upstairs side of the house while all the others had the run of the rest of the space. It was pretty lonely though I had some great views of the birds in the trees from my 2nd story windows and I could see the horses in the barn and the corral as well as everybody coming and going up and down the driveway.
In August Sharon came to visit and help Kit ‘continue moving in’ and I shared my rooms with her. We got to know each other quite well during those 10 days. Sharon had had a cat (sometimes as many as three) since she was three years old but her last kitty (Tobie) had died in April and Sharon was now cat-less. I tried to make her feel welcome. We had lots of fun together each evening. I especially liked to walk on her when she slept on her side, then I could nuzzle my nose in her ear. I thought it was a fun game!
As it came time for Sharon to go home, it was clear that the other kitties were not going to allow me to share the house so I asked Sharon if I could go home with her and be her kitty.
Kit approved, and with the help of Delta airlines, I got to fly home with Sharon to California. I enjoyed the 2-hour layover in Minneapolis in the frequent flyer lounge and our little private room where Sharon brought me treats from the buffet while I enjoyed the leather chairs. (The chicken wild rice soup was particularly delicious.) All the airline staff was very kind to me. We even got to see photos of their kitties too. Bill met us at San Francisco airport at 2:00 AM (instead of San Jose much earlier, due to weather-related scheduling issues) and drove us to my new home. It was very different but I felt welcome, especially thanks to the sign that greeted me “Welcome to your new home” with a cat face drawn on it and a chocolate KitKat bar laying on the pen ledge. It took us a while to settle in. I stayed inside for a few weeks ‘til I got comfortable with my new surroundings then Sharon got me a beautiful pink collar with my name engraved on a shiny silver tag. That day I ventured out in the backyard – it was very exciting. I didn’t go far to start but then I got brave and ‘up and over’ the fence I went to the neighbor’s yard. Turns out there were lots of cars going by out at the end of that street and it was kind of scary so I hid under their deck ‘til Sharon came and got me. I really like the Kitty door they put in for me so I can go in and out whenever I want. There’s a lot of water in the backyard so I’m avoiding that (a pool).
That’s how I came to live with Sharon in California. Maybe at a later date, I will share more of my adventures. But for now thanks for listening to my story.
Love,
Twilight
Hope Ranch Foundation is holding a fundraiser through GiveMN.
Our goal is to raise $5,000 in 7 days.
Fundraising efforts are needed to provide programming by EAGALA certified practitioners, client scholarships, and to care for animals.
Animal-assisted psychotherapy is provided, in a variety of settings, and may be group-based or individual in nature. The process is documented and evaluated, and the animal is an integral part of the treatment process.
Horse Powered Growth and Learning programs include programs related to students becoming more intrinsically motivated learners. Animal-assisted activities are delivered in a variety of environments by specially trained and certified professionals, working with animals that meet specific criteria.
Programming includes: social skills groups for youth; young women’s group; young men’s groups; family groups; groups for youths and adults with PTSD; parenting groups; and horse-powered learning (tutoring).
Funds raised will also support programs to raise, feed, and care for the animals utilized in the work, including veterinary, farrier, stable, pasture care, and other services necessary to provide for the wellbeing of the animals.
HOPE Ranch remains open during the COVID-19 outbreak.
In light of rising concern about individual’s emotional and psychological well-being, Olmsted County Public Health has advised us to remain open and to continue meeting with clients. The recommended social distancing ensuring that we stay safe and protected creates isolation and increasing anxiety and fear for many.
We remain open and available to meet with people in person at our office, or remotely by Video Call through WhatsApp, or by calling our office line at 507-281-3033. If you get a voicemail, just leave a message and we will get back to you.
We at HOPE Ranch are continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus/COVID-19 situation in coordination with public health authorities, local governments, and in consultation with other medical and mental health care providers. Our goal is to ensure our patients are treated and cared for and have safe access to care.
Because transparency is vital, we did want to let you know that a key HOPE Ranch employee’s family member may have been exposed to a person with a confirmed case of COVID-19. This possibly exposed family member does not live in the same household as the key HOPE Ranch employee.
Precautionary measures are in place at HOPE Ranch to ensure that all our clients and our staff are as safe and protected as possible.
Some of these measures are listed below:
SOCIAL DISTANCING AND ISOLATION
The social distancing that is recommended, along with growing concern about how the situation will play out, may create increasing tension and anxiety, depression, and fear for many. We encourage you to utilize telephone calls, texts, emails, and video calls to stay in contact and decrease feelings of isolation.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND MISINFORMATION
Be aware that relying on social media for information and socializing can increase anxiety as there is a great deal of misinformation being shared. People can quickly become overwhelmed by the volume of information and the speed at which it is shared.
HOW TO KEEP APPOINTMENTS DURING ISOLATION
Be sure to keep your medical and mental health appointments either in-person or via video or phone call. Continue to practice your self-care, including taking any prescribed medications. If you begin to feel overwhelmed, afraid, or hopeless, reach out to friends, family, and medical or mental health professionals.
In light of rising concern about individual’s emotional and psychological well-being, Olmsted County Public Health has advised us to remain open and to continue meeting with clients. The recommended social distancing ensuring that we stay safe and protected creates isolation and increasing anxiety and fear for many. We remain open and available to meet with people in person at our office, or remotely by Video Call through WhatsApp, or by calling our office line at 507-281-3033. If you get a voicemail, just leave a message and we will get back to you.
RELIABLE SOURCES FOR INFORMATION
Below are some helpful links to resources that are providing up-to-date information on the coronavirus:
The Minnesota Department of Health’s website has up-to-date information on COVID-19 locally: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/index.html
Specifically, here is further information regarding behavioral health and emergency preparedness: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/ep/behavioral/index.html
Governor Walz issued an executive order announcing mitigation strategies across the state of Minnesota to limit the spread of the virus. All of the strategies can be found here: https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/action.pdf. Page 4 talks about worksites.
Additionally, these are the general recommendations for anyone who believes they’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 but do not have any symptoms:
IF YOU FEEL YOU HAVE BEEN EXPOSED OR HAVE SYMPTOMS
These are the general recommendations for anyone who believes they’ve had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 and is experiencing symptoms:
The Centers for Disease Control website provides great information on a variety of topics having to do with the coronavirus/COVID-19.
We are here to help. Reach out to us anytime.
Sincerely,
Kit Muellner and the Entire HOPE Ranch Team
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.