Founded in 2000, Lost Creek Ranch has held true to its mission to create a supportive environment where participants discover the uniquely therapeutic and healing nature of riding. Our equine therapy programs and lessons improve lives, creating happiness while building resiliency, empathy, responsible risk-taking and self-control among participants who build life-long connections with our staff, horses, and a diverse and intergenerational group of participants and supporters. Lost Creek Ranch is the only horse rescue program offering therapeutic equine-assisted therapy programs in the western Wisconsin area. Our rescue, adoption and rehabilitation programs match horses to humans, healing countless lives. We are proud to bring the love and healing nature of horses to everyone through scholarship and other programs, regardless of a participant’s ability to pay.
About Us
Lynette Weldon, Executive Director & Founder: With more than 20 years training and therapeutic expertise, Weldon is recognized as a master clinician and trainer, and is a certified Life Coach. Her proven ability to positively impact individuals with musculoskeletal and neurological conditions — ranging from autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain/head injuries to arthritis, cancer, behavioral disorders and mental health conditions — has been recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, as well as Lost Creek Ranch program participants. She has rescued and rehabbed more than 100 therapy horses, 15 of which are in active service today. An accomplished rider, Weldon earned the Western Dressage Reserved World Champion title in 2015.
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Ruth Harper, Lead Instructor/Clinician & COO. Experience matters when it comes to therapeutic horseback riding programs. Harper is recognized for her ability to create personalized plans to address the musculoskeletal, neurological and mental health needs of program participants. With more than 10 years clinical experience, Harper has measurably expanded the capabilities of riders, 100% of whom report improvement in their mental and/or physical health. In addition to her clinical expertise, Harper is also a recognized Equine Lifestyle Photographer.
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Shannon Draper, Barn Manager and Care Coordinator. With a degree in Animal Science and nearly 3 decades of expertise in handling, training and managing Arabian horses, and show stables, Draper is finely attuned to the needs of both riders and horses entrusted to her care. As an active Western Dressage competitor, she takes particular pride in imparting her passion for riding to her daughter Camille, who is a student at Lost Creek Ranch. The mother-daughter duo enjoys riding Draper's show horse at Lost Creek Ranch and two 29-year-old Arabian mares, Faith and Mannie, on their expansive 80-acre farm. Celebrating her seventh year of service at Lost Creek Ranch this year, Draper continues to bring her wealth of experience and passion to the equestrian community.
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Our Board Members are an integral part of our operations and bring critical knowledge of neurological, musculoskeletal, and mental health fields, as well as critical finance and operations expertise.
Cathy Moeger. Board Member (since 2024). Retired Division Director and CFO of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The Six Sigma-certified executive managed a $200M annual operating budget, culminating in the agency’s receipt of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Quality (Region) Award for operational excellence. An avid Western Dressage rider, Cathy ranked among the 2020 Online Western Dressage World Championship Show’s Top 25 riders in one competition class.
Jennifer Flanagan. Board Member (since 2010). North American Marketing Communications Manager for Atmus, a Fortune 500 company. The accomplished executive is a distinguished digital marketing and SEO expert, as well as an enthusiastic para-rider and a two-time national champion on the reining circuit. Her professional history includes an Executive Director post at Great Oak Aiken Therapeutic Riding Center.
Cari Liemandt. Board Member (since 2010). Associate Director of the Liemandt Foundation, a youth advocacy organization serving at-risk youth in Northern Minnesota, entrepreneur, and a distributor of Reliv International nutritional supplements. With a master's degree in counseling psychology, Liemandt passionately champions the well-being of young individuals. through asset building, leadership programs, and community engagement.
Jackie Berg. Board Member (since 2024). Founder of Bridges Communications Group, a digital media provider and health magazine publisher, and former Southland Corporation (7-Eleven Stores) executive responsible for HR, government and urban affairs, sales and operational divisions in the 5,000-store retail chain.
Barb Kellen, Board Member (since 2024) A polymer Chemist at a Fortune 500 company. Recognized as a green chemistry expert, Kellen specializes in the development of sustainable adhesives. In addition to her professional achievements, she is an active volunteer, serving as the captain of a team of Emergency Medical Responders who coordinate critical community support services. She is also passionate about the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding and is currently taking group lessons at Lost Creek Ranch.
Cathy Moeger. Board Member (since 2024). Retired Division Director and CFO of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The Six Sigma-certified executive managed a $200M annual operating budget, culminating in the agency’s receipt of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige Quality (Region) Award for operational excellence. An avid Western Dressage rider, Cathy ranked among the 2020 Online Western Dressage World Championship Show’s Top 25 riders in one competition class.
Jennifer Flanagan. Board Member (since 2010). North American Marketing Communications Manager for Atmus, a Fortune 500 company. The accomplished executive is a distinguished digital marketing and SEO expert, as well as an enthusiastic para-rider and a two-time national champion on the reining circuit. Her professional history includes an Executive Director post at Great Oak Aiken Therapeutic Riding Center.
Cari Liemandt. Board Member (since 2010). Associate Director of the Liemandt Foundation, a youth advocacy organization serving at-risk youth in Northern Minnesota, entrepreneur, and a distributor of Reliv International nutritional supplements. With a master's degree in counseling psychology, Liemandt passionately champions the well-being of young individuals. through asset building, leadership programs, and community engagement.
Jackie Berg. Board Member (since 2024). Founder of Bridges Communications Group, a digital media provider and health magazine publisher, and former Southland Corporation (7-Eleven Stores) executive responsible for HR, government and urban affairs, sales and operational divisions in the 5,000-store retail chain.
Barb Kellen, Board Member (since 2024) A polymer Chemist at a Fortune 500 company. Recognized as a green chemistry expert, Kellen specializes in the development of sustainable adhesives. In addition to her professional achievements, she is an active volunteer, serving as the captain of a team of Emergency Medical Responders who coordinate critical community support services. She is also passionate about the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding and is currently taking group lessons at Lost Creek Ranch.
OUR RESCUE PROGRAMS
Lost Creek Ranch Rescue Program is funded by our riding lessons, summer camps and other educational horsemanship programs. Our herd is full of horses with a variety of special needs. Whether they arrive malnourished, or with an injury or trauma requiring extensive vet care and long-term rehabilitation and retraining — all are welcome and find a forever home here.
The rescue process is a long and costly one. Many rescue horses are survivors of emotional or physical abuse and need lots of time and training to start trusting people again.
Our caring and talented staff work with our rescues, allowing them to acclimate at their own pace until they feel at home in our herd.
Many of our rescues go on to help and heal riders, which are specifically paired based upon ability, needs and interests.
Whether they are focused on recreational riding, learning groundwork or other critical life skills, an overwhelming number of participants report improved mental and/or physical health and a lasting therapeutic bond with their rescue horse and helpmate.
DONATE
Your donation helps vulnerable youth or teens from our community participate in our life-changing programs. Click on the Donate button below and start changing lives today.
Lost Creek Ranch Rescue Program is funded by our riding lessons, summer camps and other educational horsemanship programs. Our herd is full of horses with a variety of special needs. Whether they arrive malnourished, or with an injury or trauma requiring extensive vet care and long-term rehabilitation and retraining — all are welcome and find a forever home here.
The rescue process is a long and costly one. Many rescue horses are survivors of emotional or physical abuse and need lots of time and training to start trusting people again.
Our caring and talented staff work with our rescues, allowing them to acclimate at their own pace until they feel at home in our herd.
Many of our rescues go on to help and heal riders, which are specifically paired based upon ability, needs and interests.
Whether they are focused on recreational riding, learning groundwork or other critical life skills, an overwhelming number of participants report improved mental and/or physical health and a lasting therapeutic bond with their rescue horse and helpmate.
DONATE
Your donation helps vulnerable youth or teens from our community participate in our life-changing programs. Click on the Donate button below and start changing lives today.