Testimonies
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"White Horse Ranch has been instrumental in impacting the visiting children and their families. Their warmth and kindness is so genuine that no matter what a young person’s background or current situation is, they just seem to know they are with people who really care. It has also been amazing to see young people connect with the horses in such a way, that even just one afternoon is life changing for them. White Horse Ranch provides a positive and healthy experience!” -Theresa Hanson
"Our family is very blessed to be able to come to White Horse Ranch! What a wonderful place where the whole family can have fun with animals and enjoy a peaceful atmosphere and good company too!!" -Suzi Sorenson
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"The happiest place on Earth is not Disney World, it's White Horse Ranch! Take the kids and donate to an extremely good cause."
- Bryan Poyzer, Teacher "Amazing place with vision of joy! Visited many times and every time it is a wonderful."
- Cindy Dahlen |
The Start of my Journey at WHR
By Arianna Bergstraser
When I had originally called the owner of White Horse Ranch it was to set up my brother's community service, I never figured I would've grown attached to this place and come to love it so much and call it my second home. The first day I went out there, I couldn't believe what I saw. Horses everywhere, I instantly fell in love, but what I didn't realize is the impact that this place would have on my life along with my family's life. January 31, 2015, I got out of the car and met Gina Dahlen, the owner of White Horse Ranch; we introduced ourselves along with my family that had tagged along. She put my brother to work right away and showed me around the ranch to meet all the animals; each animal had their own story, down to the last dog. See when I went out there I expected them to judge my family andI like a lot of people do when they first meet us but that wasn't the case, Gina and her husband accepted us for who we are. I never anticipated that, I was shocked to the point of tears. It was nice to finally go somewhere where my family wasn't going to get judged for our past. The whole time we were out there I was surrounded by love and acceptance, and for once I felt at peace.
While my brother was doing his community service, he bonded with a few of the horses and for once since my brother was little he was truly happy and I saw a different part of my brother. Like something had sparked inside of him that I have never seen before, my son who has rarely been around a lot of people and animals bonded with her husband and their four dogs. This place has changed my family, it gave us hope in humanity again, and it gave us joy knowing that not everyone is going to judge us by our looks or our past. My journey at White Horse Ranch has just begun; I plan on to continue to volunteer there even after my brother's community service is done. I have grown to love this place more and more each time I return there, I knew God had a plan for me and he led me to this wonderful place. He knew there was something missing in my life and that my family and I needed to find peace and to build faith again. If someone were to ask me where would be the best place to find yourself and to feel like they belong somewhere, I would recommend this place to the fullest. I've dealt with a lot in my 22 years of being alive, granted that's not a long time but when you've been through what I've been through it seems like forever and for once I felt like I belong somewhere, like I had a purpose besides being a provider for a family. When asked to write about my experience here at the ranch, they told me I could remain anonymous If I chose to do so, but I told her I would give my name because I want people to know who speaks so highly of this place and would do just about anything to make sure White Horse Ranch gets the credit they deserve. And what an honor it means to me that I get to be the one who does it.
While my brother was doing his community service, he bonded with a few of the horses and for once since my brother was little he was truly happy and I saw a different part of my brother. Like something had sparked inside of him that I have never seen before, my son who has rarely been around a lot of people and animals bonded with her husband and their four dogs. This place has changed my family, it gave us hope in humanity again, and it gave us joy knowing that not everyone is going to judge us by our looks or our past. My journey at White Horse Ranch has just begun; I plan on to continue to volunteer there even after my brother's community service is done. I have grown to love this place more and more each time I return there, I knew God had a plan for me and he led me to this wonderful place. He knew there was something missing in my life and that my family and I needed to find peace and to build faith again. If someone were to ask me where would be the best place to find yourself and to feel like they belong somewhere, I would recommend this place to the fullest. I've dealt with a lot in my 22 years of being alive, granted that's not a long time but when you've been through what I've been through it seems like forever and for once I felt like I belong somewhere, like I had a purpose besides being a provider for a family. When asked to write about my experience here at the ranch, they told me I could remain anonymous If I chose to do so, but I told her I would give my name because I want people to know who speaks so highly of this place and would do just about anything to make sure White Horse Ranch gets the credit they deserve. And what an honor it means to me that I get to be the one who does it.
I would like to say a few words about White Horse Ranch, don't worry it's nothing bad I promise. After many months of coming to this place I have... learned to have faith in humanity again and I finally found peace after years of being a scared and scared girl. In my now 23 years of living I haven't always had it easy, I had to help my dad raise my siblings because our mother wasn't always around. We were lucky to see her for a holiday, after I turned 10 I had the opportunity to live with her so I did even though my dad was against it but I didn't listen and I should've. Just three years later I started getting into trouble because my mother was a drunk and it didn't stop no matter what I did, it affected me and my two brothers that lived with her. She would abuse us in many ways and that didn't stop either, two years later she invited a 20 year old man to live with us and one night when I was asleep he did horrible things to me. Nine months later being 16 I gave birth to a little boy that I love with all my heart, I didn't know I was pregnant until the last minute. After a year of more abuse I got kicked out and l lived on my own, I straightened my life out and got my son back and just a couple years later I gave birth to a little girl. I was happy for awhile until my relationship turned out to be unhealthy and my trust went out the window. At the age of 20 I didn't trust anyone because of the abuse I dealt with from my mom, step dad, and past relationships. I met my fiance Joe and my life started turning around until my mother came to me offering help and me being all about family I fell for her story and took her, my step dad, and one of my brothers in. After a few months it took a turn for the worst and I almost lost my life due to my step dad, I was emotionally scarred for months until God brought me to Gina and her family. In just a matter of five months I've changed in alot of ways, still working on a couple of things but I'm improving. Long story short is this place has healed my family's hearts and even made mine and my fiance's relationship better, I just went out there today and celebrated my 23rd birthday with my horse Blaze and my family and it was the best birthday that I've had in years. Just to let everyone know no Blaze is really not mine but I have built a bond with her. That's what this place is all about is healing hearts and forming a bond. Well now that I have written a story, I'm going to leave my story on here for everyone to read and for White Horse Ranch to get the credit they deserve. Have a blessed day and keep God close and in your heart -Arianna, rider
