The Leg-Up Ranch has been a wonderful, peaceful, and soothing experience for the foster youth I work with, and the staff who get to come along which often includes myself.

At the Ranch the youth are given the opportunity to learn how and accomplish ranch chores which range from cleaning out the chicken coop, cleaning horse stalls to grooming horses. Learning work ethic is essential to these teens as well as learning that hard work is enjoyable.

After completing our community service the teens are able to saddle up and receive personal horseback riding lessons. Many of the youth have never been close to a horse, much less been given the opportunity to ride one. To see their expressions go from uncertainty to a look of joy and confidence is priceless. During this time we are able to relax with a barbeque for lunch, throwing the football and enjoy the rest of the animals.

My teens are able to relax and enjoy the opportunity to find joy in being outside, surrounded by animals and working outside. The Ranch is a priceless experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is in need of soothing and tranquility in their lives.

Also, Stephanie Brehm is an amazing example of kindness and compassion. She is able to reach out of herself and love and respect the youth when we come up there. All the youth feel like they have their own personal relationship with her and the ranch.

My only hope is that people of all populations and needs will find the same joy and peace at the ranch which we have found there.

Thank you so much and please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Volunteer Coordinator from San Pasqual Academy

Maegan

FRANK AND BARNEY

When we began our new life in Julian, California, my husband and I had a list of wishes. We wished for a house he could move about in easily in his wheelchair. I wanted a kitchen I could cook for my husband and daughter, while teaching our daughter to bake and cook herself. We wanted an acre or two of land for our dogs to run free and to feel as if they were at the dog park everyday. There was the chicken coop and fenced garden on our list, and we wanted a park bench upon which to sit and watch all that we had dreamed of become ours.

As we listed these things, my husband whispered something to me. I had to lean in, as his speech has been greatly impaired by his brain injury. Once I double-checked what I had heard, I put down the horse he wished for upon our list. My heart filled and my eyes brimmed, as I could see what a joy this would bring to him, but could not see how to fulfill this wish. I just did as I always do and put it all in God’s hands.

Two years later, having moved into our dream home and fulfilled most of our wish list, I stopped by the local feed store to purchase some supplies for our newly gifted goats. My friend was behind the counter, and we laughed as I realized I had not thought ahead to purchasing a bale of alfalfa. I had nowhere to put it in my car, so I jokes and asked if I could buy it buy the flake. Then I thought, well I can collect the scraps off the barn floor and throw them to the goats until I got my car cleared and ready for a bale or two. I headed off to find a bag to collect loose hay from the feed store barn floor, and when I returned there was a gal loading my hay and telling me she would gladly drop it by my house for our goats. She recognized me from a festival we both attended where she was showing her animals and sharing with the world the great program she had started called “The Leg-Up Ranch.”

I was so pleased to be re-introduced to Stephanie McCabe. She came over to my home and dropped off the bale. I told her how much I had enjoyed chatting with her at our first meeting, and I was delighted we were neighbors and finally saw each other again. I told her I was still holding on to my prayer and dream to get my husband a miniature horse which he dreamed of owning. Well, I am sure he would have loved a full grown horse, but from the wheelchair, I just knew he could care for and love a mini for sure. Stephanie said she had never forgotten how we had discussed our dream, and she told me she had a surprise for us. She had a mini horse for Frank, my husband.

When she brought the horse over, I nearly wept. Frank’s face, oh my God, Frank’s face. His eyes were so big, as he reached out his hand to stroke the horse’s nose. It was truly the stuff that dreams are made of. Every day, Frank would come outside and light up when he saw the horse. I told Frank he needed a name. Frank gave me no response.

I finally decided to name the horse something Indian, which meant friend to all. As we drove down the driveway the night I had chosen the name, I turned to Frank to tell him what I had decided. At that very moment, Frank rolled down his window to see the horse and yelled out the window, “Good night, Barney.” Every time we passed the horse after that night, Frank would yell out, “Good night, Barney.” I don’t know how he did it, but I knew the horse had let Frank know what to call him. Frank suffers from severe short-term memory issues, so to consistently drive by the horse and call him by the same name was very unique. So, that is how Barney became Barney, and how Barney came to us. He has changed Frank’s life, and in so doing has changed the lives of all of us – my daughter and myself included. Barney looks for Frank when he comes out of his pen. Frank often sits in the garage listening to music, and Barney will seek him out and put his head into Frank’s lap and hands. It is as if they have always known each other, but just waited to be together. Both of them seem to have a peace together that has been lacking in Frank for over 10 years. We are so blessed to have Barney, but even more so to have Stephanie Brehm in our lives. Animals and people can make tremendous impacts on the lives of those around them. We love Stephanie and The Leg-Up Ranch for the new life and love they have brought to Frank and our entire family.

Frank and Barb