Veterans find healing through holistic approach at Dare to Dream Ranch

FOSTER, R.I. (WLNE) — An unassuming property in Foster is home to a program that’s helping veterans in ways you may not expect.

From chickens to goats, and horses to dogs, the Dare to Dream Ranch is using every square inch of its property in Foster to give veterans and their families a chance to live again.

Army and marine veteran Joseph Rollan has been working at the ranch since the spring.

“Its taught me patience…because the front of my brain is bruised, I’m very impulsive, so its helped me think everything, just whether its a minute or it’s ten minutes to help me think about something and the repercussions of something before I act on it. “Rollan said.

Founder Karen Dalton came up with the holistic approach out of pure necessity.

“Everything that helped me is what I’m doing here,” Dalton said. “I grew up in a difficult situation, married someone that was a difficult situation, ended up with fibromyalgia and disability, and through gardening and horses, time in nature, and surrounding myself with positive like-minded people I got better, so the goal was to break the cycle.”

The ranch offers everything from horticulture and agri-therapy, to equine therapy and art.

“[A veteran] hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in a really long time and I invited her to bring her paints and paint with the horse,” Dalton said.

Dalton has stories upon stories about how the property, and its people, are changing veterans’ lives at no cost.

“Financial challenges are always hard with nonprofits… and through sponsorships and donors and volunteers we just keep growing and expanding,” Dalton said.

The newest addition, being built right now, is a giftshop where veterans will be able to sell their creations and fuel their purpose.

“I can take control of my own life, and become functional and positive again,” Rollan said.

Dare to Dream Ranch is hosting a fundraiser on Sept. 20 at the ranch’s new barn.

The ranch’s goal for the night is to raise $50,000.

Anyone interested in purchasing a tickets can visit Dare to Dream Ranch’s website here.