By Janet Vormittag

WKTV Contributor

Seventeen years ago, Lisa Carter’s daughter Lindsey was struggling so she gave the fourth grader a book that had been gifted to her: “Hope Rising: Stories from the Ranch of Rescued Dreams,” by Kim Meeder.

After reading the book three times, Lindsey said, mom, “We could do this.”

At the time Lisa Carter was struggling. She was a single mom working four jobs, and she had full custody of her three children, ages 2, 6 and 8. A counselor told her with all the changes happening in her children’s lives it would be best if she could keep them in the family home … 12 acres in Byron Center with a farmhouse, barn and two horses. 

“I prayed and asked God for it to be possible, and if so, I would use it to his glory,” she recalled.

Carter, a veterinarian technician, shared the book with a co-worker, Jill Glass. Glass read the book on vacation. When she returned, Lisa said she was on fire and ready to start a ministry where horses were used to help children. Glass already had a name for their endeavor: H.U.G.S. Ranch — Hope. Understanding. Guidance. Support.

She had doubts, but Glass countered them by saying they’d take little steps towards their dream.

That was the beginning of their faith-based, equine-assisted endeavor, which would provide a “healing path for hurting children.”

Glass and Carter attended a clinic at Crystal Peaks in Oregon, hosted by the author of “Hope Rising,” to learn how to start a nonprofit and to check out the various programs the ranch offered. Later, Carter and her daughter volunteered a week at the ranch to experience equine-assisted therapy. Carter also has attended three OK Corral Series clinics and was certified in three of their Equine Assisted Learning activities. Over the years Carter has attended additional conferences to learn how to work with children who have experienced trauma.

“Animals are very therapeutic,” Carter said.

Carter also has an associate degree in horse management from Michigan State University, which she earned while studying to become a vet tech.

In 2008, two years after deciding to start the ranch, H.U.G.S. became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, located at 284 Byron Road, Byron Center.

In the beginning they used Carter’s two horses.

Besides horses, the ranch now has donkeys, ponies, and mini horses; 17 in all. Plus, two pigs, two goats and a cat. 

Using equine-assisted learning, children ages 5 to 18, who have social, emotional or mental health challenges are helped. Each child has an adult mentor.

Currently, four-week and eight-week programs are offered. They’re free, but there is a suggested donation. 

“It’s about building relationships and trust,” Carter explained. The mentors ask questions and let the children open up as they work with the horses.

The children don’t ride the horses, instead they do what Carter calls ground work. They learn about horse behavior by watching the horses and studying their body language. They learn how to groom, halter and lead the animals. Sometimes they paint the horses using watercolors. 

One child used only black paint when he painted his horse. When asked why, he said he felt like he was in a black hole. Through talking while painting the mentor explored the reasons for those dark feelings.

After the painting sessions the kids give the horses a bath to wash away the paint.

One of the activities for the children is to build an obstacle course for their horse to walk through. In one corner of the indoor arena are the obstacles: barrels, poles, carpet squares, big noodles and other items used to build the course. The goal is for the child to build enough trust with their horse so the horse will follow them through the course with no halter or lead. 

“The horse has to trust them, but they also have to trust the horse,” Carter explained.

Only after reaching that level of trust does the child get to sit on the horse while the horse is led around by the mentor. Sometimes they sit backwards to learn about different perspectives.

Jen Kuyt of Wayland said her kids were clients at H.U.G.S. Ranch for five years.

“It was such a huge help in their development. I watched my timid little girl become extremely confident and my wild son calm down.”

She added that the ranch is like none other. Everybody is excepted for who they are, how they are and are supported to become a better person.

“The amount of love that is poured into the clients and the animals is like none other. When you walk on the ranch, you can feel the peace; it’s even therapeutic for the parents as they watch their kids with the majestic animals.”  

Most horses are donated to the ranch. Some have been abused or neglected, but several have been retired due to minor injuries or health issues. 

“We give them a second life and a purpose,” Carter said. 

One horse, Cody Joe, was born in 1989. He’s 34 years old and still part of the team.

The ranch is open Monday through Thursday, giving the horses three days off each week.

“They really enjoy their job, but they need a break,” Carter said.

70-80 volunteers in the summer

The ranch’s annual budget is $275,000. There are three paid staff and 70-80 volunteers in the summer, that drops to about 30 volunteers in the winter. Most volunteers are college students, teachers and retirees. At the end of summer, most go back to school or head south for the winter.

Feed for the animals is a big expense, fortunately, most of it is donated. Carter said one horse eats 125 bales of hay per year. The animals also are fed grain in the fall and winter.

Most donations come from individuals

Several area churches and businesses donate to H.U.G.S., but the majority of support comes from individuals.

Fundraisers help pay for the $275,000 budget

Fundraisers also are held. Collecting bottles and cans has turned out to be lucrative. Last year they raised close to $15,000 through donated returnables.

“One dime, one can at a time,” Carter said.

Carter’s daughter is now a farrier and takes care of the horses’ hooves. She also helps find horses for the ranch.

Over the years the ranch has grown from one barn to a complex of buildings.

An indoor arena was donated in 2018 by Larry and Judy Buist in memory of Carter’s father, Robert Wierenga, who was involved with the ranch. Buist Electric donated a building for the volunteers.

The Welcome Center was donated in memory of Scott Taylor by his employer to bring awareness to mental health. Taylor, a volunteer, battled depression. Lumberman’s was the lead donor and several other local companies helped make it a reality. 

Looking back at the 17 years, Carter said the first years were hard, but she was driven to provide for her family. She never envisioned the ministry would get as big as it is.

“It’s not that we haven’t had challenges and heartbreak,” she said.

Kids and their piggy banks showed up during a crisis

When a tornado caused damage and she questioned if she could continue, but then the kids came with their piggy banks.

“Through hardships come blessings,” she said.

One of her biggest hardships came last year when Glass passed away unexpectedly. Carter said she’s doing well with the loss, but still adjusting. She’s doing what she has done all along, she’s relying on her faith.

“It’s really about trusting in God,” she said.

For more information visit www.hugsranch.org.