Employee Spotlight
Our Employees are the heart and soul of the Ranch. Each one brings their unique skills to provide the best services to our Clients.
May 2025: Shelby Opel
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
I was really drawn to the heart behind what Affinity Ranch does. The idea of blending connection, healing, and animals felt so natural to me—like something I’ve been chasing in different forms throughout my work. When I found out about the ranch, it just clicked. I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
It means showing up with kindness, being real, and holding space for people (and animals) to feel safe, seen, and supported. It's about creating something bigger than ourselves—a space where growth happens in really beautiful, sometimes unexpected ways.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
Oof, hard to choose! I think Preacher would be my favorite animal. He is sweet and engaged everytime I work with him. I have seen him empower my clients and help in their healing journey. I’ve had some sweet, quiet moments with him that I won’t forget.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my free time I enjoy riding my own horse, spending time with my daughters and husband, shopping, and reading.
April 2025: Megan Wing
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
I was looking for places to volunteer with horses. When I found Affinity Ranch and saw the work they were doing, I wanted to be a part of it any way that I could. The people, the care and training given to the horses, the smile and laughter of our clients continue to inspire me everyday.
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
It means showing up for the families we serve; providing space for everyone who walks through our doors to take a break from the outside world and enjoy the moment. To surround them with kindness, support and a sense of community. People helping people!
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
Pumpkin is my favorite orange cat, Duke is my favorite short hair cat and Shawnee is my favorite horse. He is patient, takes care of his rider and is an all around sweetheart!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I say I like to read but really I'm listening to audio books. I love learning. I also enjoy golfing, hiking and just being active outdoors.
March 2025: Jewels Maslin
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
Growing up with horses, I was able to personally experience the amazing impact they can have on people, both emotionally and physically. I have also always loved helping those with special needs, so being able to combine those two things is truly my dream job. The community that makes up Affinity Ranch is the entire reason we are able to help people and is also one of the main reasons I love the Ranch so much. I have been at Affinity Ranch (formerly Praying Hands Ranch) for over 4 years and it continues to be my dream job and is truly like a big family.
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
The Affinity Ranch mission is inspiring because we give so many people opportunities of independence, with the help of our horses.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
I couldn't pick just one favorite but I can give you my top 3; Friday, Preacher, and Diamond. I have had the pleasure of working with Preacher and Diamond for over 4 years now and I just truly love their personalities. Preacher has one of the most empathetic personalities I have come across with a horse and I love watching him connect with clients.
Diamond is truly just a sweet, gentle, and straightforward girl. She comes into the arena and always takes care of the clients.
Friday came to the ranch in the past year and I instantly fell in love with his personality. He has what I call a cute old man personality, where you always know what he is thinking. He is so expressive and just a goofy guy that I love working with.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
During my free time I greatly enjoy spending time with my animals, my husband, and friends. I have 9 animals at my house consisting of 3 horses, a one-eyed donkey, a mini pony, 2 dogs, and 2 cats, so they take up quite a bit of time.
February 2025: Tricia Plattner
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
I moved over to Affinity Ranch when Promise Ranch joined their community. We moved our operation
from Castle Rock to Parker. It’s been the best thing to happen! It is such a positive, calming, and loving
atmosphere for all of the animals, clients, volunteers, and staff.
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
It’s important to always create a connection with our special needs community! The world can
sometimes be an unfriendly place for our friends that have such special qualities and I feel it’s incredibly
important to demonstrate inclusion for everyone! What makes us different is what makes us so special
and nobody should ever be left out of enjoying all the beautiful and fun things that life has to offer.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
My favorite animal is Preacher. He demonstrated something I thought was truly amazing one day. We all know that animals can sense things but I got to see this in action during one of my lessons. I had a student doing liberty work with Preacher. Normally he follows behind her just plodding along following
wherever she goes. But that day, he was literally hooked to her elbow and was not leaving her side. I started paying close attention because this was such different behavior for him. Once the student started walking towards me, I could see her facial expression changing and I knew she was about to have a seizure. Preacher was able to feel this change in my student long before she started to show symptoms! My volunteer, Preacher, and I stood with her until she came out of it and then we all walked her over to the ramp steps to sit. Preacher walked the whole way with us (still at liberty) and stood next to her at the fence until she was ready to leave the arena. This horse is very intuitive which makes him
so special but he’s never been trained to recognize seizures. I’ve never been so impressed in my life!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I’m either sculpting or I am painting. Sculpting comes easy for me so I’m spending a lot of my spare time so I'm teaching myself a variety of water color techniques. If it’s nice outside (because I’m a fair weather rider) I like to ride my horse out to our lease ground and check on the steers or putz around in my flower gardens.
January 2025: Julie Mehrtens
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
As the mother of an autistic teenager and a dedicated equestrian with over 15 years of experience, I sought additional opportunities to give back to the community. My passion for working with individuals with disabilities and animals guided my search. I explored therapeutic programs and horse rescue ranches where I could apply my skills. Upon discovering Affinity Ranch, I found a remarkable alignment of my interests with an extraordinary cause, and I immediately knew this was the place where I wanted to be a part of.
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
Affinity Ranch's mission resonates deeply with me. Their commitment to empowering, growing, strengthening, and building courage through the dedication of their horses, staff, and volunteers offers me hope and inspiration. It reassures me that there are exceptional people, programs, and opportunities available for my son and countless others like him.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
Although I haven't become acquainted with many of the horses yet, and I'm sure I would grow fond of most of them, my favorite animals at the moment are the goats. Their enthusiasm when they see you and their loud bleats for attention are heartwarming. They eagerly approach for treats and often lean on your leg when you give them a good scratch. And not to mention their mesmerizing blue eyes are quite captivating.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Besides spending time with my three children, aged 3, 11, and 13, my lifelong passion since the age of six has been horseback riding. Currently, I own an 11-year-old Appendix horse named Howie, who behaves more like a lovable puppy. We primarily work in the arena over jumps, but we have also enjoyed a few trail rides together. We are hoping to start showing together this coming spring/summer in the Hunters Division.
December 2024: Lindsey Schellenger
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
I joined the team at Affinity Ranch because I was looking for a way to get involved with horses again. I grew up riding and went on to compete in barrel racing and show jumping, so this was a great way to give back to my community while also being around horses and amazing people!
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
The mission really embodies what horsemanship is to me. I am a huge believer in the power of healing through horses, and am lucky to be surrounded by people who feel the same. Involving members of our community who may not feel accepted in other spaces to have a safe space to learn and grow is so powerful.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
So hard to choose! But Friday is probably my favorite at the moment. I love his sweet demeanor and I also love seeing how much the clients love him.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
While not at the ranch, you can find me working as a Medical Esthetician at the Med Spa Beauty Refined in Parker. I love how both of my jobs allow me to help others feel good about themselves. I'm a Colorado native and love all things outdoors. The rest of my time is typically spent with my boyfriend Tyler and our cat Indie!
November 2024: Petra Kadrnozkova
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
I have always been passionate about horses. I was lucky to start working with horses when I was 9 years old. Once I was old enough to comprehend all the physical, mental, and emotional benefits horses bring into our lives I knew I wanted to be able to share this with others.
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
Our mission is very near and dear to my heart. Sharing horses with others, especially our clients with disabilities which otherwise would not have the opportunity to interact with or ride horses is something that makes my heart smile. From my personal experiences I know how much horses help us with emotional awareness, communication, trust, problem solving, and so many other important life skills.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
I love all of the animals at the ranch, however the horses are my favorites. And I make sure to tell every single one of them that he or she is my favorite.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I like spending time with my horses, and together we enjoy eventing, polocrosse, and playing with liberty. With my husband and our dog Bailey you will often find us camping, hiking, mountain biking, or traveling somewhere fun.
October 2024: Genevieve Hawksley
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
My journey with Affinity Ranch started about five years ago when I volunteered here—back when it was known as Praying Hands Ranch. The welcoming energy and the wonderful sense of community drew me in, and after moving back to my hometown of Elizabeth, CO, a year ago, I knew I wanted to be part of this special place once again. After a career as an investigator, I felt a strong pull to make a more positive difference in my community. Joining Affinity Ranch has allowed me to do just that!
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
Affinity Ranch’s mission means so much to me because it’s about more than just caring for horses; it’s about creating a nurturing space where everyone—humans and animals alike—can find support, love, and healing. I’m incredibly grateful to be a part of this community and to contribute to our shared vision.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
One of my favorite aspects of working here is spending time with the horses, and my favorite animal at the ranch is my horse Gingerbread, who is a 9 year old Quarter Horse. Working with Gingerbread has taught me so much about trust, empathy, and the importance of truly listening, both to her and to myself.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Outside of my work at the ranch, I love to spend time bike-riding with my husband, practicing yoga, and enjoying the company of my two dogs and two cats. I’m so grateful to be a part of the Affinity Ranch family, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to this amazing community!
September 2024: Rebecca Guess
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
I have volunteered at many therapeutic riding centers in the past, both in Colorado and California. When I moved back to the Castle Rock area, I googled "therapeutic riding center." Promise Ranch was the first name that popped up. I went to volunteer but they were hiring barn attendants, so I applied. Two moves, a promotion, and a partnership with Praying Hands later, I am happy to be a part of the Affinity Ranch family!
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
I love the "community" aspect of Affinity Ranch's mission statement. We are part of the surrounding community. We are volunteers and clients, employees and animals. Together, we can make a huge difference in each other's lives!
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
Bam Bam the goat is my favorite. She runs to greet me (probably because I had the amazing experience of bottle-feeding her as a kid) and doesn't hold grudges when I shove her back through the gate before she escapes. She is wildly curious on her walkabouts and loves to engage with people.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love dreaming up the possibilities of what Affinity Ranch can become with all the incredible beings that make the Ranch what it is!
August 2024: Sarah Puckett
What inspired you to come to Affinity Ranch?
Affinity Ranch has offered me a community where I can finally combine two of my greatest passions, Horses and Physical Therapy. I have had horses in my life since I was twelve years old. Ten years ago I finished my degree in PT with the intent of one day providing Equine Assisted Therapy. I’m am so excited to partner with Affinity Ranch to allow more people to experience our mission.
What does the Affinity Ranch mission mean to you?
Our equine partners can provide so much for our physical , mental and social needs. It’s a connection that can last a life time. Helping our clients and equine partners thrive is the most important thing to me.
Who is your favorite animal at the ranch and why?
I love all of our animals and I’ve had the privilege of getting to know them over the last year. My favorite however, is Treetops, one of our sheep. We like to play and he is always ready for attention.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
In my spare time I love conquering DIY projects around the house and traveling with my family.