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“For years I have been
dreaming of visiting this wonderful ranch. The last few days here
have been even better than my dreams! " -
Stephanie, age 14, a teen with cerebral
palsy
“Dealing with limitations and medications while at
the Ranch will be an accepted norm—not the isolating,
differentiating problem these children often experience in other
social situations.” - Janetta Mitchell McCoy,
Ph.D. Arizona State
University
“She is blind like
me. I look at her and
she looks at me and we stare
into each other’s eyes for the
longest time. She
understands what it’s
like to be me.” -
Jonothan, age 14, a teen with muscular dystrophy,
speaking about “his” horse Lucky Lady at Whispering Hope
Ranch
“It’s a great chance to
do something terrific for kids who have enormous challenges in
life most of us cannot even imagine." -
Jonah Shacknai, Chairman and CEO,
MEDICIS
"I was a tired worn out Mom when I got
there and left a happy Mom.
Just getting away to a place that can make everyone happy
means so much to me. I am truly grateful for what you do. Thank you,
Jozette" (Mother of six including
Mikayla and Joseph, toddlers with Downs
Syndrome)
"I am glad to have witnessed
such compassion in this world. The Ranch was beautiful. The
volunteers on the ranch provided a great atmosphere for the
kids." - John Hidalgo, Peer
Assistant, Chaparral High School Life Skills
Program
"Thank you for making Whispering Hope
Ranch possible. When it was time to go, I didn’t want
to leave
because it was so wonderful. My favorite animal was Katie the horse.
I also liked Mr. Vito and Tony the kissing llama. He kissed me right
on the lips!" - Kati, a teen
with cerebral
palsy
"Many thanks to you and the staff for sharing
with us at WHR yesterday. I think that
each of us experienced
that 'magical' feeling that you described. I am sure that
you will again hear from the CASA volunteers individually to
make arrangements
for return visits with their CASA
children." - Cecille
Masters-Webb, Court
Appointed
Special Advocate Program
 
"Seeing Willie enjoy
the horseback rides was an emotional experience for me to say the
least. He seemed so calm and happy on the horse. I wish I could
replicate that experience for him all day long." -
Rebecca, mother of Willie who has a developmental
disability
"Special children are provided with opportunities to
feel and be independent; to feel a sense of accomplishment and
power; to make friends; to feel a sense of adventure; to expand
their social and physical boundaries; and to expand their
community of supportive adults and role models." - Professor Dan Hoffman, Arizona
State University, College of Architecture & Environmental
Design
"Tammy has always
been afraid to leave Robert and I. She gets upset if we get out of
her sight…except for when she is with Eeyore. She will take long
walks with him (around the Ranch). Her Dad and I have been the ones
to panic when (she has wandered off). Sure enough, we find her with
Eeyore. They are just out sight seeing. While this is certainly no
miracle, my family and I find it amazing. We have no clue as to why
he instills this confidence in Tammy. It will have to remain one of
those mysteries.
The ranch has been
very good for Tammy. Twice now she has joined a group of people that
are there to see the animals. She carries her animal bios in her
folder and has shown it to both groups. This is as much out of
character as the long walks with Eeyore. With her speech being so
limited, she hardly ever speaks to people we know, much less
strangers." - Donna, motherof Tammy who is
physically and developmentallychallenged. Eeyore is a burro who
resides at the Ranch.
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