HOPE Ranch

HOPE Ranch HOPE Ranch is dedicated to providing quality psychotherapy services to Children, Youth, Families and Adults through Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP).

HOPE Ranch is a beautiful 10 acre ranch in the bluff southeast of Rochester, Minnesota, that specializes in Equine Facilitated Staff Development and Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) HOPE Ranch is dedicated to providing quality educational opportunities to profit and not-for-profit businesses and groups, social organizations and individuals through Equine Assisted Learning (EAL). We guide organizations and individuals to solutions for sustainable systems using respected organization development techniques. Our competencies allow us to specialize in the design, development and delivery of programs for businesses looking for ways to attract, prepare and retain employees and to increase organization effectiveness and wellness through planned process interventions. HOPE Ranch works with large and small businesses, education institutions, government agencies, and non-profits. HRF does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.

Post Blizzard Iona paths have been cleared!A little snow to move, a lot of laughter shared, and space made for mental he...
03/16/2026

Post Blizzard Iona paths have been cleared!

A little snow to move, a lot of laughter shared, and space made for mental health moments that matter.

Progress happens one shovel, one breath, and one kind word at a time.
Caring for our minds is as important as clearing the snow.

🥕 Free Food Distribution — Everyone Welcome 🥕Food insecurity can affect anyone, and there is no shame in needing a littl...
03/11/2026

🥕 Free Food Distribution — Everyone Welcome 🥕

Food insecurity can affect anyone, and there is no shame in needing a little extra support. You are not alone, and help is here.

Join us for a free food distribution this Saturday from 9:00–11:30 am. No proof of income is required, though household guidelines apply. The Helping Hands Room will be open, and all are welcome.

📍 Rochester Community Church
971 16th Street SE (by Mayo High School)

This event takes place the second Saturday of every month. Please come if you need support, and feel free to share with others who may benefit.

Hey. Hawk here.Yes, that is mud on my head.No, I am not concerned about it.I was playing. It was glorious. Squishy. Unap...
03/09/2026

Hey. Hawk here.

Yes, that is mud on my head.
No, I am not concerned about it.

I was playing. It was glorious. Squishy. Unapologetic. A full commitment to the moment. And somewhere between the splatter and the snort, I remembered something important.

It is not always about looking polished.

Out here at H.O.P.E. Ranch, we know healing is rarely tidy. Sometimes growth looks like rolling in the mud. Sometimes it looks like trying something new and getting a little messy in the process.

Mental health is not a straight, spotless path. It is showing up as you are. Dirt, detours, and all. It is giving yourself permission to experience joy without worrying how it appears from the outside.

So if today feels a little messy, that is okay. You are still worthy. You are still growing.

Now, if you will excuse me, I have important puddle inspections to continue. 🐴

Hi. Trav here.Yes, I see you with the camera.Yes, I know it’s “golden hour.”Yes, I understand I look majestic.But let’s ...
03/06/2026

Hi. Trav here.

Yes, I see you with the camera.
Yes, I know it’s “golden hour.”
Yes, I understand I look majestic.
But let’s stay focused on what really matters here… dinner. 🍽️
Patience may be a virtue.
It is simply not my virtue.

Around here at H.O.P.E. Ranch, we talk a lot about meeting needs in the moment. Sometimes that’s emotional support. Sometimes it’s connection.
And sometimes it’s hay. Immediately.

The truth is, we all have moments when waiting feels impossible. When what we need feels urgent. Trav just happens to express it a little more dramatically :)

Nellie, Little Joe, and Roxy would like everyone to know this was an unplanned photo shoot. ☀️They’re still rocking thei...
03/04/2026

Nellie, Little Joe, and Roxy would like everyone to know this was an unplanned photo shoot. ☀️
They’re still rocking their full winter coats and weren’t exactly ready for their spring debut. Minnesota winters are long, and shedding season takes time.

But look at them, standing in that sunshine like they’ve been waiting months for it.

After a long winter, the warmth can feel almost unfamiliar. You step into it slowly.

Mental health can be a lot like that. Sometimes we carry heavy layers to get through the cold seasons. Protection. Survival. Endurance. And when the light starts to return, we don’t drop those layers overnight. We adjust gradually. We thaw.

Spring is coming. For the pasture. For the coats. For all of us.

At H.O.P.E. Ranch, we believe healing often begins the same way these three are doing it. Quietly. Patiently. Standing in the sun until you’re ready. 🌱

🐴 “We follow the sun because warmth feels good. You deserve warmth too — in your thoughts, your actions, your care for y...
02/23/2026

🐴 “We follow the sun because warmth feels good. You deserve warmth too — in your thoughts, your actions, your care for yourself.”

Tip: Let a little sunshine into your day — literally or figuratively. Connect with something that brings you comfort and light.

Unexpected visitors on the ranch 🦌❄️A small herd of deer stopped by to check things out, and our horses were very intere...
02/20/2026

Unexpected visitors on the ranch 🦌❄️

A small herd of deer stopped by to check things out, and our horses were very interested spectators. Quiet moments like these remind us how connected this land is to all who call it home.

Nature always knows when to drop in at H.O.P.E. Ranch. 💙

We spotted fresh deer footprints winding through the property and decided to follow them… and sure enough, they led us s...
02/18/2026

We spotted fresh deer footprints winding through the property and decided to follow them… and sure enough, they led us straight to a cozy bedding spot where a deer🦌 had been resting. Seeing these tracks and the place where they bed down is a gentle reminder that the Ranch is more than a home for our horses. It’s a place where wildlife feels safe enough to wander, rest, and leave their stories behind in the soil.

Every set of footprints tells a tale, and we’re grateful to share this land with so many peaceful visitors. Nature has a way of reminding us to slow down and notice the quiet magic all around us. 🌿💚

🐎 A New Year on the Chinese Calendar — The Year of the Horse 🐎Today, February 17, marks the shift to the Year of the Hor...
02/17/2026

🐎 A New Year on the Chinese Calendar — The Year of the Horse 🐎

Today, February 17, marks the shift to the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. The Horse is a symbol of strength, freedom, endurance, and spirited energy. It represents forward movement, resilience, and the courage to run toward new beginnings.

At H.O.P.E. Ranch, horses are more than symbols. They are our partners in healing.

As highly sensitive prey animals, horses are deeply attuned to their surroundings. Through their remarkable awareness and mirror neuron responses, they often pick up on human stress, sadness, or anxiety. You can see it happen. A horse may soften, step closer, or gently lean in, offering quiet comfort without a single word.

In many ways, the Year of the Horse reminds us of what we witness every day at the Ranch. Strength paired with sensitivity. Power guided by presence. Movement toward hope.

As we enter this new lunar year, may we carry the spirit of the horse with us — steady, courageous, and open-hearted. 💛🐴

🐴 “Sometimes we pause at the fence, not sure if we should step forward. That hesitation? It’s okay. Pausing can help you...
02/16/2026

🐴 “Sometimes we pause at the fence, not sure if we should step forward. That hesitation? It’s okay. Pausing can help you see things more clearly — and you don’t have to move faster than your heart feels ready.”
Tip: If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t rush. A moment of pause can be an act of strength.

Love is in the air at H.O.P.E. Ranch… and in the pasture 💕🐴This Valentine’s Day, our horses are reminding us that love d...
02/14/2026

Love is in the air at H.O.P.E. Ranch… and in the pasture 💕🐴

This Valentine’s Day, our horses are reminding us that love doesn’t have to be fancy. Sometimes it looks like standing shoulder to shoulder, sharing sunshine, offering quiet companionship, or simply being present.

Whether you’re celebrating with chocolates, flowers, or a four-legged friend who listens without judgment, we hope your day is filled with connection, warmth, and a little extra joy.

From all of us at H.O.P.E. Ranch—happy Valentine’s Day! 💖

02/12/2026

❤️A Story of Love, Loss, and Legacy❤️

In 2022, my family’s world was forever changed when my daughter, Kaylie, passed away unexpectedly from a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) at just 21 years old. Kaylie was a student in the Winona State University Social Work program and had a beautiful dream to one day work in the field of equine assisted therapy, helping others find healing through the powerful connection between people and animals.

In the midst of our grief, our family, along with the incredible support of friends and family, created a memorial fund in Kaylie’s name with H.O.P.E. Ranch Foundation to honor her life and her passion. What began as a way to remember Kaylie soon became something even more meaningful for me personally.

I started volunteering with HRF, helping with administrative work and fundraising. In 2023, I was blessed to be hired as a part-time Administrative Assistant, a role that has since grown into serving as Executive Director.

Being part of H.O.P.E. Ranch Foundation has brought deep healing and great joy into my life. Every day, I feel connected to Kaylie’s heart for others and her dream of making a difference. Carrying on her legacy by supporting this mission is one of the greatest honors of my life.

Thank you to everyone who has walked alongside me, supported HRF through the Kaylie Meyer Memorial Fund, and believes in the power of partnering with animals to bring hope and healing. Together, we are continuing Kaylie’s dream, one life at a time.

Address

9145 80th Avenue SE
Chatfield, MN
55923

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15072813033

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