The mission of Runnin Free Ranch is to provide a non-judgmental, non-pressured environment where veterans, at-risk youth, those with special needs and their families can experience freedom, hope and positive life-changing relationships through the facilitation of equine assisted activities and counseling.
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Amy DojahnM.Ed., LPC-S
Executive Director and co-founder of Runnin Free Ranch. Amy Dojahn has loved horses since she can remember. She and her cousin rode horses together in childhood even though Amy dealt with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. By age 10 she could no longer walk or ride a horse but her love of horses never ended. In 1989 Amy realized that her life was empty aside from the life saving power of Jesus Christ. With God’s direction Amy became a licensed professional counselor in 1994 and since then God has brought DJ and Amy together to begin the ministry of Runnin Free Ranch. |
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Kenneth Dojahn(nickname DJ) co-founder of Runnin Free Ranch. DJ has a servant heart as demonstrated in his 20 plus years in the vehicle modification for the disabled industry. He met his wife, Amy Valigura, through his career in this industry and they married in 2003. DJ has always had a heart for helping people, the outdoors and animals. In 2016 he and his wife Amy started a new adventure with the Lord’s leading, Runnin Free Ranch, in which they desire to help all individuals experience freedom in Jesus through equine assisted activities/counseling |
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Matt NealMatt Neal lives in Waxahachie, Texas with his wife, Ashley Neal. At an early age, Matt learned to ride and work with horses and rode in horse shows on the weekends as a child. During high school Matt was the drum major of the spirit of Waxahachie Indian band and valedictorian of his graduating class. Matt went off to Texas A&M once he graduated from high school. During the summers while Matt was in college he would go work on his grandfather’s ranch working cattle and baling hay in East Texas. Matt went on to graduate from Texas A & M with a degree in mechanical engineering and took a job at a major roofing manufacturer. Hobbies Matt enjoys are hunting, fishing, wood working, spending time with his wife, and remodeling their home. Matt and his wife attend Midlothian Bible Church.
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ASHLEY NEALAshley Neal is a Waxahachie native. She gave her life to Jesus Christ while attending her first year of college at a chapel service at Baylor University and knew she wanted to serve Him ever since. Ashley went on to graduate with her Bachelors in Exercise Sports Science at Texas State University in San Marcos in 2010 and then as a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2013. Ashley moved back to Waxahachie after college and then got a job working at Baylor Scott and White Rehabilitation for 6 years until she took a break from working to stay at home with her daughter in 2020. Ashley married the love of her life Matt Neal in 2015 and they have been a team ever since. Ashley has known Amy and DJ for several years through working with Amy’s sister who is also a physical therapist and dear friend. Ashley has seen the Lord work through Amy and DJ to bring about Runnin Free Ranch and is thankful to be a part of the board.
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Matt WalkerMatt Walker was born and raised in Ennis TX. Matt is a 2002 graduate of Ennis high school. He went on to receive a degree in ministry and currently serves as the pastor of Anthony Drive Baptist Church in Ennis, TX. His greatest joy comes from his beautiful wife Natasha and three children: Lilly, Levi, and Lucy.
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Photo Credit: David Stiff Photography
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Joyce LindauerJoyce Lindauer is a practicing attorney and mediator with offices in Ennis and Dallas, Texas. Joyce serves as an Associate Judge for the City of Ennis and as a member of the board of directors for Helping Hands of Ennis, Ennis Public Theatre, and Runnin’ Free Ranch. Joyce is also a member of the Lions Club of Ennis and First United Methodist Church of Ennis.
Joyce grew up in the Lake Highlands area of Dallas and has lived in North Texas since age 2. With her husband Dave and a bevy of domestic and farm animals, Joyce lives on a small ranch in Ellis County. Together they have been instrumental in the rebirth of the Ennis Downtown Historic District. |
Joyce’s law career has included the earning of a law degree from SMU, and later a second masters degree in dispute resolution, again from SMU. Joyce has been a partner in a major Dallas law firm, served as a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee for the US Bankruptcy Court, and taught law school as an adjunct professor at Texas Wesleyan School of Law. Joyce has experience as a small business owner, having established the law firm that bears her name in 1994. Joyce’s firm has a staff of four attorneys, three paralegals, as well as other staff. Joyce has received numerous awards and recognitions. She has been named a Best Lawyer in Dallas, and also a Preeminent Women Lawyer in Texas.
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Adriene StandefordAdriene Standeford, a Mississippi native who spent the last 12 years living in Indiana & Tennessee, moved to Ennis in 2019 with her husband Joe. She has a degree in Business Management and is the Director of Operations for a management consulting firm based in Nashville, TN. After moving to Texas she wanted to find a way to get involved with her new community and discovered Runnin' Free Ranch. In January 2020 a quick meeting with Amy and DJ instantly connected the three of them and their mission. Adriene's family had horses throughout her childhood and teenage years so she grew up loving to ride and she understands the connection that can be built with them. In her free time Adriene loves anything to do with the outdoors, from kayaking to hiking to fishing.
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frances smithFrances Smith grew up in Irving, Texas and now lives in Ellis County. She is a graduate of the University of Texas at Arlington and Southern Methodist Dedman School of Law. She is a shareholder in the law firm of Ross, Smith & Binford, PC. She has loved horses all her life and after raising their children, she and her husband John got their first horses and took up riding. They now have a homestead in Ellis County that they share with their horses Bentley and Ginger. They also have three donkeys, four kitties, and two dogs, all rescues. Frances joined the board in 2022 after attending the annual Runnin Free Ranch gala, hearing the testimonials, and learning of the wonderful work Amy and DJ were doing at Runnin Free Ranch. They are truly doing God's work. Frances is thankful to be a part of the board of this organization and the work it does.
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