Happenings at the Ranch – August Edition

August 10, 2026

Gratitude Corner – August Edition 

God' Faithfulness in Every Step

First and foremost, we thank God, the One who guides every step taken at Runnin Free Ranch. Our mission — to walk alongside individuals as they move toward life, hope, and freedom — is only possible because of His steady hand over this ministry.

Week after week, we witness healing that reminds us just how present He is here on this land. We are grateful for every person who walks through our gates. Each story, each moment of courage, each step toward restoration is a gift we don’t take lightly. Watching God move in ways only He can is one of the greatest blessings of this work. 

To our faithful donors, thank you. Your generosity fuels this mission and allows us to keep offering a place of hope and healing. We truly could not do this without you. 

We are also deeply thankful for our incredible team. Amy, our Director and Lead Counselor, pours her heart into every session and leads with wisdom, compassion, and grace. Our interns bring energy, dedication, and a willingness to serve wherever needed — their presence strengthens the ranch in countless ways. Our veterinarian keeps our herd healthy and ready to serve, ensuring our horses can continue being the healing partners God uses so beautifully. And DJ, our behind the scenes helper, quietly keeps things running smoothly in ways most people never see — but we feel the impact every single day.

Our hearts are full, and we give God all the glory for what He is doing at Runnin Free Ranch. 

Off the Hoof — From Eli's Perspective 🐴

I thought it was going to be an ordinary week at the ranch… just another stretch of days filled with sunshine, dust, and the steady rhythm of hooves and sessions. But God had something different in mind.


A group of teens came out to participate in our Freedom Trail — young people working hard toward brighter futures. I, Eli, watched them closely. Horses notice things humans don’t always say out loud. Their bodies speak even when their mouths stay quiet. Most of them carried a mix of strength and struggle. I could feel it in the way they stood, the way they breathed, the way their shoulders held stories they didn’t know how to share. Stress… fear… anxiety… hurt. Yet every day, they showed up trying to be strong. Trying to be better. Trying to grow.
One young man caught my attention from the start. He came every single day. He participated. He listened. He laughed with the horses. He tried. And by Friday… he was sad. I heard him tell Miss Amy he didn’t want the week to
end. He said he doesn’t trust people. He said being here made him feel like a whole new kid — like he wanted to be a different boy.


But here’s what I know: When he was with us horses, he was exactly who God created him to be. He has a tough outer appearance, but inside he is kind. Gentle. Good. I overheard him say he felt a lot like my buddy Sevin — strong on the outside, but carrying things deep on the inside. They understood each other in that quiet way horses and humans sometimes do. And then I heard something that made my ears perk up. Mrs. Amy told him, “This doesn’t have to be your last day. You can keep coming back. You can keep learning. You can keep healing.” I saw hope flicker in him — small, but real.

Sometimes all a young person needs is a place where they’re seen… truly seen. A place where they don’t have to pretend. A place where they can breathe, grow, and remember who they really are. Out here at the ranch, he found that place. And I’m grateful I got to witness it.


Signed, Eli Your friend on four hooves 🐴

Upcoming Events
�� North Texas Giving Day 2026
North Texas Giving Day is one of the biggest days of generosity in our region, and we are honored to participate again this year.
 Early Giving Opens: August 27, 2026
 North Texas Giving Day: September 17, 2026
Your support on this day helps Runnin Free Ranch continue offering a place of life, hope, and freedom to individuals and families across Ellis County. Every gift makes a difference, and we are deeply grateful for those who choose to partner with us.
�� Making Room Event — September 19, 2026
We are excited to host our Making Room event on September 19th, an evening
created to share stories, vision, and community. This intimate gathering will open the door to the heart behind Making Room — a growing effort to expand access to hope and healing for individuals and families across Ellis County. Guests will hear powerful stories, learn about the mission, and see how
God is moving through the ranch in meaningful ways. It will be a night of connection, purpose, and gratitude as we look toward the future and the lives that will be impacted through this expansion.

💛 Join Us in Making a Lasting Impact

Horse sponsorship - Check HERE to learn about our horses stories and consider sponsoring one of our SPECIAL therapy horses.

As we continue to grow and serve our community, we are prayerfully hoping to expand our family of monthly supporters. Your ongoing generosity sustains the daily work of the ranch — caring for the animals, supporting our programs, and creating a place of hope and healing.

If you feel led:

👉 Click HERE to become a recurring monthly donor OR make a one‑time gift

Every gift, no matter the size, helps us continue the mission we’ve been entrusted with. Thank you for believing in this work and walking alongside us in such meaningful ways.


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Happenings at the Ranch – September Edition

September 2, 2026
Our hearts are overflowing with gratitude—for a generous God who continues to pour out His faithfulness over this ranch and for each of you who helps make this work possible. Last June, a mother contacted us seeking counseling for her teenage daughter, who had a history of anxiety and depression and had become resistant to traditional counseling. Because she loves horses, however, she was willing to try equine-assisted counseling. At that time, both of our counselors were fully booked. We have one full-time counselor and one contract counselor who is available only one day a week, so we had no choice but to place her daughter on our waiting list. Recently, we contacted her mother with the good news that an opening had finally become available. During that conversation, we learned that her daughter had experienced a life-threatening mental health crisis while waiting for services and is now receiving a higher level of care. By the grace of God, this precious teenager is still here. We want to ensure that when she completes her current level of care and is ready for ongoing counseling, she has a place waiting for her at the ranch—a safe place to continue healing and experience hope in a new way. This is why we are Making Room. Children and families are reaching out who need help now. Some are waiting and praying for something that might reach them differently. Sometimes God uses a horse, a quiet pasture, a trusted relationship, and a safe place to open the door to hope. We have also witnessed God’s provision for a mother experiencing severe postpartum depression and frightening thoughts of harming herself and her baby. Her family took her pain seriously and reached out for help. She began counseling at the ranch and continues to come. Today, she is finding hope, strength, and connection—one step at a time. As North Texas Giving Day early giving begins, we invite you to join us in Making Room: Making room for those who are hurting. Making room for those who feel overlooked. Making room for families praying for a breakthrough. Making room for every person who needs to know that hope is still possible. Every gift, prayer, and shared message helps us open the gate for one more child, teenager, veteran, or family. Thank you for believing in the work God is doing at Runnin’ Free Ranch. Thank you for helping us make room for life, hope, and freedom. Click HERE for early giving to Runnin Free Ranch's North Tx Giving and Making Room Campaign With gratitude, Amy Dojahn Executive Director and Lead Counselor