ABOUT
HHH RANCH

Established 2015

Welcome to HHH Ranch, a haven dedicated to the healing of both people and animals. Here, individuals embarking on various journeys—whether they are physical, emotional, behavioral, or mental—discover newfound confidence and personal growth through our specialized therapeutic riding lessons, engaging farmer classes, and enriching camps. Our nonverbal riders are empowered to express themselves through the compassionate connection they form with our rescue horses and our PATH-certified instructors,fostering a profound connection that transcends words and ensures that every participant feels valued and understood. We believe in the power of second chances, offering support to those who may have struggled in the past, providing them to grow and heal.

At HHH Ranch, we extend our mission of healing to animals in distress as well. Our commitment to rescuing horses is evident in our approach, as we utilize trained rescue horses to facilitate our programs. We go above and beyond to save animals in need, responding to calls from concerned citizens, rescuing from slaughter auctions, and providing refuge for those abandoned. Our tranquil setting serves as a sanctuary for rehabilitation, allowing these animals to heal and thrive.For those animals that we do not need in our program, we adopt out to forever homes. It allows us to be animal helpers, not animal hoarders.

Beyond the boundaries of our ranch, HHH actively engages with the community by hosting open ranch days, educational field trips, and private events that invite visitors to connect with our mission and witness the gentle influence of our horses firsthand. For elderly individuals who may find it difficult to travel, we bring the joy of our potty-trained ponies directly to them, ensuring that everyone can experience the warmth and healing that HHH Ranch has to offer. We warmly invite you to join us at HHH Ranch, where healing and hope flourish.

We invite you to join us at HHH Ranch to experience the transformative power of healing and hope.

MISSION & VISION

Mission:

Vision:

HHH creates a sanctuary for people and animals alike to heal and flourish, whether they are on an emotional, behavioral, physical, or mental journey.

HHH sees a community without barriers where everyone is welcomed, accepted, and celebrated.

HHH Ranch Board of Directors

Christine Doran
Founder & Board President

At the heart of HHH Ranch lies Christine, a dedicated champion for both individuals and animals alike. She founded the ranch with the vision of ensuring that everyone, irrespective of their abilities, has the opportunity to enjoy the therapeutic benefits of horse riding and animal interactions.

Christine takes a hands-on approach, personally training the horses and striving to provide the ranch's services at no cost to those who require them. Her overarching mission is to dismantle the social divides that exist between people with disabilities and those without, empowering individuals and equipping them with the resources they need to thrive in their communities.

Sarah Stapp

Treasurer

Sarah Stapp brings a wealth of experience in financial services and construction industries, having worked in these fields for more than 15 years. She has earned her Bachelor's degree in Business Management from both University of Illinois and Western Governors University.

Along with her husband Brian, she runs Terra Nova Farm which is now home to two horses adopted from HHH Ranch - Grace, a Clydesdale, and Frankie, a Quarter Horse. Sarah and Brian are also the proud parents of two children.

Jill Beechler

Secretary

Jill's career spans forty plus years as a nurse in not-for-profit acute care hospitals, with the last 22 years in cardiovascular service line management (Asst. VP) including implementing two new heart surgery and interventional heart programs and facilitating two other programs with growth in volume, services, and quality. She managed strategic planning and budgetary responsibility for all areas within the CV Service Line. Volunteer work includes coordinating fund raising activities for the American Heart Association, long-range planning and building committee member for Plainfield United Methodist Church along with teaching Sunday School. She received her Bachelor of Science from Benedictine University and a Master of Science from Northern Illinois University.

Stephanie Cryer

Director

Stephanie Cryer is a graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Mass Communication and Spanish and attended graduate school at Lewis University where she earned her Masters degree in Elementary Education. Stephanie spent 12 years teaching 2nd grade, middle School Spanish, and STEM for 12 years before retiring early to raise her three daughters as well as become a Union Carpenter alongside her husband. Stephanie was a Manhattan resident for 12 years before discovering HHH Ranch in the summer of 2022. Instantly wanting to become involved, Stephanie has since become both a Board Member and the Volunteer Coordinator where she continues to help others get involved at the Ranch in any way that they can.

Missy Martin

Director

Missy Martin is the Executive Director of Disability Resource Center in Joliet, IL where they empower people with disabilities to live self-sufficient lives. Her resume includes over 25 years of administration, communications, and program experience in the nonprofit sector. She also serves as a board member of several local nonprofit organizations, including Illinois Network for Centers of Independent Living, Catholic Charities Head Start Program, Will County Center for Community Concerns, the United Way of Will County Agencies United Executive Board. Her passion for animals and her career go hand in hand at this organization that also knocks down barriers for people with disabilities. Missy lives in Manhattan, IL with her husband and hopes to do more traveling. They have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren .

Sylwia Skowyra

Director

Sylwia Skowyra has volunteered with HHH Ranch since 2022. Originally from Poland Sylwia has lived in Illinois for most of her life and only recently moved to Dallas, Texas. Still wanting to stay as involved as possible, Sylwia helps HHH Ranch in any way that she can remotely! She enjoys cooking and photography, and, as an employee of Ferrara Candy Company, creates donation opportunities for HHH Ranch events! Sylwia is incredibly excited to see HHH grow from the small rescue ranch that it was when she started to the direction in which it is heading today!

Mike Turner

Director

Mike Turner joined our board in 2023, but has been a friend of the Ranch for many years. An intellectual property attorney for a downtown Chicago law firm, Mike has long been an advocate for the disabled community. He volunteers legal services for Equip for Equality, which serves as the federally mandated Protection & Advocacy System for the State of Illinois. He has also written a book directed at helping parents of children with special needs (Raising Special Children – A Guide to the Road Less Traveled), available on Amazon. Mike has served on several boards, including that of Lincoln Way Area Special Education (LWASE) District 843, where his daughter Maya attended school for many years. Maya and Bumble (one of the Ranch’s first animals) met over a decade ago, and it was love at first sight!

MEET OUR ANIMALS

Our Animals' Stories

TESTIMONIALS

At HHH Ranch, our family of community members always have inspiring stories to share. We invite you to explore and find inspiration from their journeys!