Allegiance Ranch & Equine Rescue in Erie, Colorado, is a haven for veterans and first responders seeking healing and connection. The ranch gives rescue horses a new purpose as companions in equine therapy programs. Together, service members and rescued horses embark on a journey of recovery, resilience, and renewal. Our vision is to prevent suicide in military and first responder communities by providing a sanctuary for humans and horses.
"With horses I become completely vulnerable...our energy comes together and my soul is at peace. I'm grateful to have the ranch." - Marine Veteran
"The mutual respect that is shared between people and horses is truly magical and has helped me process trauma and work through grief." - Navy Veteran
"It can be hard for someone who has found joy in volunteering since middle school to allow others to share their generosity with her family. But I am endlessly grateful and endlessly in awe of the powerful good that Allegiance Ranch and Equines Rescue does.
I know we can visibly see the good that the ranch does for its equine patrons. Saving them from dark fates that most of us don't want to befall companion animals. What may be harder for many to see is the good the ranch does for veterans and their families, in part because we're used to taking care of ourselves. Thankfully for us the ranch is a family of service members and their families. They get us. They know to respect time, silence and crabbiness. The ranch gives us freedom to be ourselves, if not with people, with our four-legged friends. More so to those we love who have served. Watching my husband spend quiet, contented moments with the horses is a real gift for me. We have made friends here, I have friends here, and not all of them are four-legged. Knowing that I always have a place where I am welcome, where my husband is welcome and not pried for information about what he experienced and his services, because here there are people who care about us and animals who love us and couldn't care less about our previous life events. Horses heal and I am thankful for the Ranch because this is a place of welcome and healing too." - Wife of Marine Veteran
"It's meaningful to make a difference in the horses' lives from being abused to total love and caring, which will help them get adopted out to a good family one day. I also like the events for veterans and their families. If you love horses and want to be a part of a great cause, this is the place for you. It's like being part of a big family that all comes together to do something good, and in turn you feel good about yourself." -David Usher, Marine Veteran and Volunteer
Allegiance Ranch and Equine Rescue was born out of love for horses and heroes. Our mission is to help horses and heroes by offering a safe place for healing, developing a sense of purpose, and establishing meaningful connections between horses and humans.
The need is great. Our heroes are struggling and need our support. Veteran suicide rates continue to rise and the rate in Colorado is significantly higher than the national veteran suicide rate and than the national general population suicide rate. Suicide has no single cause and no one approach can end it—but prevention is possible, especially when veterans find support before a crisis happens.
At Allegiance Ranch, support for active and veteran service members, along with first responders, is provided through community and through the power of horses...rescued horses.
According to the Animal Welfare Institute, tens of thousands horses are shipped to Mexico and Canada annually, where they are killed under barbaric conditions so their meat can satisfy the palates of overseas diners. In 2023, over 20,000 U.S. horses were shipped to Mexico and Canada.
How does this happen? Overpopulation, for one. And while most people would never willingly send their horse to slaughter, sometimes people can no longer care for a horse. Perhaps they can't afford the vet bills or even the cost of hay. Maybe they tried to sell their horse or find a new home, but to no avail. Desperate, they take him to auction thinking a nice family or private buyer will buy him. All too often, however, the kill buyers who frequent these auctions are the ones who buy the horses. Once on a kill buyer's lot, a horses' fate is typically sealed.
Our goal is to intercept horses before they end up in the slaughter pipeline. The horses in our care are provided love, training, rehabilitation (both physical and emotional), and the opportunity to serve as therapeutic companions for our heroes.
What better way to help our heroes than through the powerful connection with horses? So many veterans and first responders lack the support they need, and for service members with wounds both physical and emotional, the VA too often fails them. Offering free access to horses is a powerful way to give back to our heroes.
Organization name
Allegiance Ranch and Equine Rescue Inc
other names
Allegiance Ranch
2017
Tax id (EIN)
82-1319164
Category
Military & Veterans Organizations, Animal-Related
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
3448 County Road 4Boulder County, CO, US
Weld County, CO, US
CO, US