Refuge Ranch - Our Purpose

To provide a place of safety, hope, and unconditional

love.

The dictionary defines refuge as:

1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.,

2. anything to which one has access for aid, relief, or escape.

Safety is a basic need and so many in our broken world have been denied the security of a

loving family

and a safe home. Lives are too busy, schedules are overwhelming and often

families are drowning in

chaos and struggle.

Sadly, as well as hurting people, another by-product of the broken world we live in is hurting,

neglected,

and abused animals. We have been called to be good stewards of creation.

Proverbs 12:10 says, "A

righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest

acts of the wicked are cruel." All that

God has made for us is under our dominion.

Unfortunately, that responsibility has often been misused

to inflict pain and neglect.

With this in mind, i

n addition to caring for hurting individuals we seek to

provide a place of refuge for animals

that are in

need.

Not only do we believe that this is our responsibility as good stewards, we

also believe that a

special

bond can be formed between people and animals who have both

been the vicitms of hurt and

abuse.

Caring for these animals also gives the people who

come to Refuge Ranch a real purpose for

being

here. They have something priceless to

offer! The love and security these animals need to

flourish.

Unique Experience

Many people have never had the opportunity to experience all of the joy that farm life has to

offer. This

novelty offers an exceptional opportunity for impact. There is always something

powerful about a

unique experience where we are challenged to get out of our comfort

zones and try something new.

Empathy

One of the leading causes of violence in our society is the inability of the perpetrator to feel

empathy for

another living creature. Children who are denied love, compassion, and

kindness grow into adults who

are unable to extend the same to others. Their lives have

not been valued and so they have learned

that life has no value. Abused children often do

not develop empathy or sympathy. Children who have

never developed empathy cannot feel

that another person is as real as they are, or that others

experience pain and hurt as they

do. They cannot feel the distress or agony of hurting someone, and

the act itself does not

The answer

is to break the cycle and create an environment where children and adults can learn to

empathize.

A relationship with an animal provides a safe context for a person to form a bond with

another living

creature. The animal does not pose the same threat to cause emotional

harm as another person

does. An animal gives affection indiscriminately. They do not

judge or withhold affection based on

one's race, performance in life, or social and economic

standing. They do not expect anything in return

or demand anything from us.

This freedom often provides the safety net needed for someone who is unable to form an

emotional

bond with other people to do so with the animal. Once the initial bond is formed

empathy begins to

develop. Over time, this empathy can open doors for meaningful,

connected relationships with other

people, and this is where real change begins.

Responsibility

Refuge Ranch offers a unique and effective way to teach responsibility. Riding is only a

small part of the

program. Participants will be required to take part in the general care and

upkeep of the ranch as a

whole as well as being responsible for the care of individual

animals. Participants will learn the

correlation between hard work and payoff and the joy

that comes from caring for others and being a part

of something bigger than yourself.

Our Purpose

3845 Delay Rd Pawnee, IL 62558 email: refuge@refuge-ranch.org

REFUGE RANCH