Whispering Hope Ranch Foundation was founded in 1997 when Diane Reid happened upon a beautiful piece of property just east of Payson, Arizona. In what she described as "a moment of extreme clarity," Reid "came to an understanding that a haven should be created; a place of beauty and serenity where special needs animals and humans with special needs could mutually experience kindness and compassion, and that it should be called Whispering Hope Ranch."