Willow Creek Ranch Inc. Therapeutic Riding Center

07/11/2024

Thank you Joanne Mehlhaff and Warrior Fly Boots for sharing this amazing product! And another reason to sponsor a horse at Friends of Willow Creek Ranch! Thank you to the wonderful people who sponsored horses in 2024! There are still more horses in need of sponsorship. Please consider supporting the wonderful work these horses do for children and adults with physical difficulties and mental health challenges! Please contact [email protected] for more information on how YOU OR YOUR BUSINESS can sponsor a horse!

07/11/2024

Unboxing of our Warrior Flyboots !

12/21/2023

December 2023 Newsletter Page 2
Willow Creek Ranch
7404 Northwest Hwy 83, Mukwonago, Wisconsin 53149
Serving the Community since 2007!

Our current fundraising needs are to raise funds to purchase a few new saddles for our hard-working horses. Many of our current saddles have been with us for 15 or more years and were donated or purchased used. Saddle material breaks down over time. Leather stretches, the cushioning and lining degrades and compacts, and they just become uncomfortable for our horses. Please help us provide a good riding experience for our horses and our riders. Between our Giving Tuesday Facebook request and donors that sent checks, we have raised a bit more than $2,750 of our $4,500 goal. Pictures below show some of the issues: broken straps, stiff/dried side panels, worn/frayed material, stretched out leather and more.


Volunteers - Our amazing crew of volunteers are essential to the services we provide.
Our dedicated volunteers provide their time and talents for our program, such as prepping horses, grooming and tacking, horse leading and sidewalking; help with property clean up and maintenance; help with events; supporting operations through board membership; and many other activities to help keep WCR running smoothly. Volunteers who have completed orientation and have become a great help this year: Ethan Z., Alexis K., Laura K., Molly B., Johanna K., Erika C., Lisa O., Leah O., Ellen C., and Lorna H. We will be looking for more volunteers in spring.

One of our Willow Creek Ranch volunteers was nominated by a WCR staff member and received the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship (PATH), Intl., 2023 Volunteer of the Year for Region 6 (Wisconsin, Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota, Saskatchewan, and South Dakota). Congratulations to Marty Hren who has been a volunteer at WCR since 2009 in the roles of sidewalker, horse leader, horse trainer, volunteer coordinator, Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor (PATH) and Equine Specialist (EAGALA). She is on the WCR board of directors as secretary and past chairman. In addition, Marty volunteers her time on many administrative and communication tasks in support of the Executive Director and business of the Ranch.

May you have a very Merry Christmas, Winter Celebrations, and a 2024 that is filled with health, appreciation, and peace.

Willow Creek Ranch – Equine Assisted Services
404 Northwest Hwy 83, Mukwonago, Wisconsin 53149 – (262) 806-4080 or (414) 791-2509
www.willowcreekranch.org [email protected]

Willow Creek Ranch, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves children and adults through equine assisted services (therapy-learning-horsemanship).

12/21/2023

December 2023 Newsletter
Willow Creek Ranch
7404 Northwest Hwy 83, Mukwonago, Wisconsin 53149
Serving the Community since 2007!

In this issue:
• Horse Sponsorship
• Volunteers
• Volunteer of the Year – PATH
• Giving Tuesday and Year End Gifts

To our friends, parents, volunteers, donors, and other supporters –

Thank you to all our horse sponsors, including four volunteers and five participants, that support Willow Creek Ranch through sponsoring a horse. The 2024 Horse Sponsorship information will be shared soon.
A sincere and grateful thank you…

We are so thankful for the horse sponsors that made the commitment to sponsor a horse for 2023:

Thank you to Karin Bullian and her son Colin for sponsoring Calibur again this year.
Thank you to Pat and Bob Bade and son Kevin for sponsoring George again this year.
Thank you to Vic Hren for sponsoring Oliver again this year.
Thank you to Sandy and Scott Ludwig and daughter Rachel for sponsoring Luka again this year.
Thank you to Marty Hren for sponsoring Freddie again this year and Takoda in memory of Mark K.
Thank you to Marie Michael for sponsoring Mickey and Grace this year.
Thank you to Knights of Columbus for sponsoring Beere.
Thak you to Mark Merk for sponsoring Gator and little SamiO.
Thank you to Shannon, Andrea, and John Kutcher for sponsoring Toby.
Thank you to Paris and Kristy Hay and Brianna for sponsoring Tucker.
Thank you to Danielle Kleczka for sponsoring Pixie.
Thak you to Donna T., in memory of Bob, for sponsoring Slapshot and Patrick
Thank you to Linda for sponsoring Rusty.

Please consider a year-end gift to Willow Creek Ranch so we can continue to reach out to people who need a place where they can grow and heal and where they can be accepted for their abilities. It is with YOUR HELP and donations that we can reach so many people and make a difference in their lives. Your gifts also provided for horse care and medical bills, fencing and equipment repair, water and snacks for our volunteers and funds to keep the lights on!

How to donate: Your gifts are appreciated. There are still opportunities for you to make a year-end gift to Willow Creek Ranch. Gifts are accepted by check or through Facebook and PayPal on our website, www.willowcreekranch.org. Please call (262) 806-4080 or (414) 791-2509, or email [email protected] if you would like to discuss how your gift will impact WCR services.

• WCR also has t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts if you are looking for a gift for your rider or yourself!

12/18/2023

Waukesha CLTS visits WCR.
Maren, Natalie & Kali meet Calibur.

10/08/2023

What a beautiful day it was … to all our family and friends who gathered on 10.07.2023 to remember and celebrate the life of Mark R Krupp, thank you! And to those of you who were not able to attend his celebration, I would like to share this link:
https://vimeo.com/872155149/eab8d9c904

Thank you Fox River Christian Church and the Friends of Willow Creek Ranch Volunteers, who welcomed our guests, friends, and family to celebrate Mark’s life. I am forever grateful to all of you who supported Mark at one point or another in his life… Love you 💜Marcus!

This is "Mark Krupp Celebration of life" by Fox River Christian Church on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

09/16/2023

It is with deep sadness that Willow Creek Ranch announces the passing of Mark Krupp. Mark was a strong and faithful supporter of WCR programs and mission.
He was an advocate for WCR – approaching strangers in airports, people on the street and even his nurses to tell them about the Ranch.
Mark frequently visited parents as they watched their child participate in riding and interacted with volunteers (sometimes giving them a hard time, telling jokes or teasing them!). With many of you he also shared his health struggles. It was the cancer that, even though he fought a hard battle, took him from us.
Although he is now at peace and without pain, he will be greatly missed by his wife Jennifer, his family and friends, his devoted hunting dog “Katt” and all the people of WCR.

08/05/2023

When you have amazing and reliable volunteers you let them join in on the fun !

07/04/2023

06/25/2023

Sal Montes Jr. In deep conversation with Slapshot.

05/23/2023

Sal getting the first ride on our new herd member !

04/19/2023

This is what we are part of, we are so proud.
Great job Sal Jr. !!

04/09/2023

From all of us at Willow Creek Ranch !!

04/04/2023

The bond between a human and their horse is built over years. Jenna has been working with Luka Jo about 3 years. He missed her this winter and it showed. Horses do not let just anyone in their space and Luka Jo wanted nothing more than Jenna to be in his.
A first kiss from your horse is a memorable one.

01/01/2023

Happy New Year from all of us at Willow Creek Ranch !

12/21/2022

Ordering things through Amazon is another great way to give.
WCR is part of the AmazonSmile program that donates 0.5% of your purchases on Amazon to a charity of your choice.
All you need to do is start your shopping at

When you shop at AmazonSmile, Amazon will donate to Willow Creek Ranch Inc. Support us every time you shop.

12/21/2022

December 2022 Newsletter

Willow Creek Ranch
7404 Northwest Hwy 83, Mukwonago, Wisconsin 53149
Serving the Community since 2007!

In this issue:
• Happy Holidays; What your support does; How you can help

To our friends, parents, volunteers, donors and other supporters – we wish you a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah and may your new year be filled with good things for you and your families.

We’ve had such a busy year! We have provided services to 71 individual children and adults in our horsemanship program and 93 people in our mental health program. Lessons for horsemanship were held April through November and we provided nearly 1,375 total lessons with the help of 13 horses, 3 part-time instructors and nearly 50 hard-working volunteers. For our year-round mental health program, we connected with 93 people and provided more than 900 counseling sessions with the help of 7 horses and 2 mini donkeys, 3 part-time mental health professionals and 3 part-time equine specialists.

It is with YOUR HELP and donations that we can reach so many people and make a difference in their lives. We were able to hire additional staff to provide services to people who have been on a waiting list for more than a year and were desperate for help. We are now able to provide much needed services to more children and adults.

Your gifts also provided for horse care and medical bills, hay feeders to keep feed dry and minimize waste, funds for a Lighthoof mud abatement system to help keep our horses feet healthy, fencing supplies, equipment repair and fuel, water and snacks for our volunteers, and yes, even our electricity and phone!

Please consider a year-end gift to Willow Creek Ranch so we can continue to reach out to people who need a place where they can grow and heal and where they can be accepted for their abilities.

How to donate: Your gifts are appreciated. There are still opportunities for you to make a year-end gift to Willow Creek Ranch. Gifts are accepted by check OR through Facebook or through PayPal on our website, www.willowcreekranch.org. Please call (262) 806-4080 or (414) 791-2509, or email [email protected] if you would like to discuss how your gift will impact WCR services.

Willow Creek Ranch
7404 Northwest Hwy
Mukwonago, WI 53149

• Ordering things through Amazon? WCR is part of the AmazonSmile program that donates 0.5% of your purchases on Amazon to a charity of your choice. All you need to do is start your shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/26-0607719

• WCR also has t-shirts and hooded sweatshirts if you are looking for a gift for your rider or yourself!

12/14/2022

Thanks to the generous donations during this Giving Tuesday campaign, WCR was able to raise funds to support our horses and give them a mud management system to keep them safe!
Thank you to Jennifer Kann Pape, Brian Murphy, and CEO, Chief Equipment Operator, Mark R. Krupp for their time installation talents!

12/01/2022

What a Way to KICK off Giving Tuesday!! Thank you Kristy and Mikyong of Johnson Financial Group, Mukwonago, for dropping by for a tour and handing WCR a check for $2,000! Johnson Bank and its 2022 Neighborhood Giving Campaign staff choose WCR as their recipient for this year’s Giving Tuesday.

11/29/2022

Giving Tuesday begins the season of giving and of thankfulness. Your gift to Willow Creek Ranch Inc. Therapeutic Riding Center supports programs that help children and adults with special needs and mental health concerns. We have seen amazing things happen this year!

HELP OUR HORSES!
Willow Creek Ranch is raising funds to cover the cost of mud control for the areas around the horses’ protective shelters in the dry lots. Muddy dry lots are an issue anytime it rains or snow is melting. We want to offer more protection for our hardworking horses and take care of the mud problems. Standing in mud causes skin and hoof ailments, can cause slippery footing and the horses can become chilled standing in the cold mud. In addition, it’s hard to do manure management in a muddy paddock and can cause water damage to the shelters.

The mud control panels are flexible plastic that are filled with sand and gravel and provide a dry place to stand by the shelters and gates. Please donate to provide the structure and stability our dry lots need to support healthy footing for our horses!

We are looking forward to 2023 to continue to build our programs. We are so grateful for your support of our mission. Your help and financial support are appreciated.

11/21/2022

11/04/2022

WCR’s first ever moonlight trail ride! Our more experienced riders and their parents enjoyed the beautiful evening walk.

10/07/2022

Our clients are very talented. Paints, a horse, talent and Willow Creek’s inspirational and therapeutic setting are all it takes. Incredible !

09/13/2022

You never know where you will find a kitty 🐈‍⬛

08/07/2022

"Home Run Freddie"

Who says horses aren't able to play baseball. At Willow Creek Ranch we support everyone's dreams.

07/31/2022

We need your help! Our therapy herd of horses is the essential part of offering services to children and adults with special needs and mental health concerns. Each horse can cost between $1490 and $2900 to annually support their care and health needs-things like hay, grain, and supplements; farrier, dental, and veterinary services; vaccines; deworming, fly spray; grooming products; and pasture/shelter upkeep.

Sponsorship Needed:

CHARLIE came to WCR in January 2022.We have been told that Charlie came from Kansas, was bought at an auction in North Dakota, taken to Illinois and then to his home at WCR. Stories say that he was a babysitter to weanling foals and a trail horse. Since his time at WCR Charlie has proven he is patient, kind, and tolerant of his unfamiliar environment and equine teammates. He is currently going through some health challenges and is being well cared for so he can move into the training program. Charlie is expected to be a great addition to our Horsemanship program and is a nice size for our older riders. Born 7/08/2008, Appaloosa, sorrel.

Any contribution amount can be donated in Charlie’s name to add to his yearly care budget, or we invite you or your group to sponsor Charlie at WCR by making a $1,600 contribution for a year of care.

For Your $1,600 One-Year Sponsorship, You Will Receive:

• Certificate of Sponsorship for your horse
• Your name and/or picture with your horse; a personal tour of WCR
• Grateful thanks from the staff, participants, and volunteers at WCR
• Recognition in Willow Creek Ranch newsletter and website
• Bragging rights about “your” horse and knowing you are also helping people
with special health issues
• A receipt for your tax-deductible donation
(Willow Creek Ranch, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization)

Thank you.

07/26/2022

New Gear!!
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We are currently selling women’s razorback tanks on our website! They are available in Black and Heathered Blue in sizes S-2XL. The logo options include this Juniper logo along with a new Solstice Sanctuary logo!
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These will be for sale until August 3rd! If you have any questions please reach out. They are only available in women’s styled tanks at the moment, but if we have further interest we may offer these logos in additional styles at a future date.
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These tanks are also pre-order which means you will receive in 4-5 weeks after placing your order!
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Order here: https://www.solsticesanctuary.org/gear

07/25/2022

IN NEED OF SPONSORSHIP:

TAKODA, is Sioux for “friend to everyone” and that he is becoming! Takoda arrived in Wisconsin in the fall of 2021 from a trail riding program in Arkansas and was purchased by WCR, through a donor gift, in December. Even though very little is known about his past, his personality tells us so much more about him. He is a very curious, in your pocket type of horse, with a soft eye, big heart and eager for attention. Takoda is one of the younger horses in the Horsemanship program and will be an asset with his small stature for our younger, smaller riders. He is going through WCR therapy horse training and is already showing that he is a calm, secure and unflappable fellow. He will check your pocket for treats and follow you anywhere. Born 1/07/2014, Quarter Pony.

We need your help! Our therapy herd of horses is the essential part of offering services to children and adults with special needs and mental health concerns. Each horse can cost between $1490 and $2900 to annually support their care and health needs-things like hay, grain, and supplements; farrier, dental, and veterinary services; vaccines; deworming, fly spray; grooming products; and pasture/shelter upkeep.

We invite you or your group to sponsor a therapy horse at WCR by making a $1,600 contribution for their care for an entire year. Our miniature donkeys also are looking for sponsors.

For Your $1,600 One-Year Sponsorship, You Will Receive:

• Certificate of Sponsorship for your horse
• Your name and/or picture with your horse; a personal tour of WCR
• Grateful thanks from the staff, participants, and volunteers at WCR
• Recognition in Willow Creek Ranch newsletter and website
• Bragging rights about “your” horse and knowing you are also helping people
with special health issues
• A receipt for your tax-deductible donation
(Willow Creek Ranch, Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization)

Thank you.