Our Story
Founded in 2015 by Heidi, a Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health & Learning, our journey began with a simple yet powerful vision.
Heidi's childhood on a ranch was filled with hard work and the profound connection she shared with horses. But when the farm was sold after her father's passing, a void formed in her heart. In response, she founded Dawn Haven Ranch with the mission to help others, just as horses had helped her. Later, in 2017, she expanded the non-profit's vision to include rescuing horses, rehabilitating them, and training them to help heal others just as they were saved and healed.
In the face of Utah's high suicide rate and the prevalence of mental illness, Dawn Haven Ranch emerged as a sanctuary of healing. We provide Equine Assisted Learning to individuals suffering from mental illness, depression, abuse, anxiety, and more. Our 25 Equine Therapy horses serve as partners in this transformative journey.
Dawn Haven Ranch's story is one of resilience, hope, and the healing power of horses.
Learn How to Help
Our Mission
At Dawn Haven, we provide Equine Assisted Learning to those in need, offering hope, support, and transformation using our four pillars of healing, while bridging the gap between rescued horses and trauma victims. Our safe environment offers stability, tranquility, and support, enabling clients to grow and heal through experience bonding and knowledge.
Join us in our mission to make a positive impact on mental health and well-being. Our ranch offers remarkable 3-7 day stays with immersive healing opportunities, including a meditation space, dance studio, music center, an art studio, a greenhouse for gardening, and trade craft rooms where guests can learn valuable skills.
Each client will have access to Mental Health Professionals who spend quality time as needed. All who stay will receive a workbook journal with confidence-building materials, learning opportunities, and an organic, immersive daily schedule to forge healing. Additionally, our team provides training and medical attention for the rescued horses, preparing them for future adoption.
In the barn, we teach trade craft education, horsemanship, farming, woodworking, and craftsmanship. Dawn Haven Ranch creates opportunities for service work and partnerships that benefit communities near and far by building bridges between local work and artisans worldwide, continually making a positive impact in the world by offering opportunities to underprivileged artisans and their communities.
See Our Programs
01 — Rescue
01 - Rescue
- Saving an equine and providing a haven for neglected, abandoned, and abused horses, giving medical care, training, and security.
- Rehabilitate
- Rescuing horses we rescue lives, equine and human, healing horses and humans by creating bonds.
- Provide healthy horses to be adopted into a forever home.
- It is illegal to kill a horse or donkey for meat in the United States, so kill pens skirt the law by shipping animals, often a 23 hour drive with no food or water in cramped quarters to slaughterhouses in Mexico or Canada. Then, their meat is shipped to places around the world.
- National Geographic Article - Brisk Business and Activism Collide at This Texas Horse Auction
02 — Horsemanship
Horsemanship
02 - Horsemanship
- We inspire real hope through experiential learning and genuine healing.
- We bring hope and strength to every equine's future as they grow in confidence through Education, Liberty, and Natural Horsemanship training.
- We teach our equine a sense of freedom and safety without using tack, halters, or ropes, increasing the horse's desire to interact, and creating a deeper bond. Liberty Training develops optimum horsemanship skills.
- We provide a training guidebook for Equine.
03 — Mental Health Support
Mental Health Support
03 - Mental Health Support
- 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year.
- 550,000 adults have a mental health condition. That's more than 2x the population of Salt Lake City struggle to get the help they need.
- More than half of people with a mental health condition did not receive any treatment in the last year.
- 51,000 aged 12–17 have depression.
Mental health facts for Utah in 2023
* According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness
04 — Equine Therapy
Equine Therapy
04 - Equine Therapy
Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) services in which professionals and licensed therapists work within the scope of their discipline, incorporating equines to serve clients such as:
- occupational therapy
- physical therapy
- psychotherapy
- recreational
- speech-language pathology
- counseling
Aspirations
To decrease suicide and mental illness rates in the state of Utah by providing a place and the support needed to improve wellness and well-being for any individual.
Certified tax accountant Joshua Slater brings a sense of order to our financial operations, meticulously managing donations and expenses. With a genuine commitment to service and a passion for assisting others in achieving success, Joshua is an invaluable asset to our team at Dawn Haven Ranch.
Joshua Slater
Growing up as a Christian, Luann learned the value of service. She specializes in aiding those who have been victimized by sex trafficking. Survivors bear many scars from their exploitation; some are physical, and many are mental. Luann helps each individual work through some of the pain associated with both.
Luann Peterson
Rachel, a dedicated mother of young children, recognizes the significance of self-worth and confidence-building. She holds a deep admiration for assisting trauma victims in cultivating hope and courage as they navigate their healing journey.
Rachel Yancey
Kausha attended BYU Hawaii, where she acquired impeccable skills in peace building, leadership, and communication. With her extensive experience in helping individuals discover their true selves and cultivating a passion for joy in their journey, she has traveled the world, serving others by teaching sustainable skills.
Kausha LeBeau
Board Members
Alison's love for horses began when she was a young girl, and training them has become her third love in life, after her husband and children. She believes that being in a pen with equines helps individuals grow and focus on important aspects of life, as they are inherently healing creatures.
Alison Geake
Training Partners
Liz has been helping people for over 30 years. She holds a degree in Clinical Psychology and has worked closely with the father of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dr. David Burns. Her influential work teaches us how our thoughts help us heal.
Doc Liz Hale
Abraham's passion for aiding individuals has expanded to include equine assistance. As an occupational therapist, Abraham empowers both horses and individuals, enhancing their everyday life skills and fostering their well-being through his dedication and expertise.
Abraham Geake
Therapy Partners
Mickey grew up in the city of Chicago and has been living in Heber for 14 years. He is enthusiastic about learning more about horses and caring for the animals on the ranch. He has an infatuation with goats and considers them magical healing animals. Mickey splits his time between working on the ranch, crafting dark chocolate, serving in the Air Force Reserves, and spending time with his two young children.
Mickey Wilson
Ranch Hand
