Volunteer Spotlight
Our Volunteers help keep this place running smoothly. Without their help we could not do what we do with such joy. Here we want to honor some of our dedicated volunteers with a spotlight on one special person each month.
October 2025: Trish Hoyer
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
I have always loved horses and have ridden off and on most of my life, although I’ve never owned a horse myself. When people asked me what I wanted to do with my time after retiring in May, 2024 it wasn’t hard to decide that I wanted to do something with horses. I googled equine therapy ranches and that’s how I found Affinity Ranch. And what a wonderful experience it has been to volunteer at Affinity Ranch! I love the horses, the instructors and all of my fellow volunteers.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
It’s such a great thing to be able to spend time around horses and also to feel like I’m helping people…I love it! I’m so proud to tell people what I do with my free time. Affinity Ranch is a great organization. The instructors, volunteers and clients have all made a huge impact on me. It’s inspiring to see the people who volunteer so much of themselves on a weekly basis. The instructors are wonderful with how they handle both the horses and the clients...they are nothing less than amazing. I hope to learn a fraction of what they know both about horses and about treating people with respect and kindness.
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
Who is my favorite animal at the ranch? That’s a hard one for me. I tend to gravitate to the larger horses because I think they are just magnificent. But the little guys are so dang cute too…as well as all the ones in between. How would I ever choose? Maybe I will when I have spent a lot more time around all of them. I guess that means I need to be out there more often, right? My pleasure!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
When I’m not at the ranch, I love to camp, boat, go to guest/dude ranches, snow ski, and definitely love spending time with my 3 grandsons and my 3 kids. I am blessed with an amazing family and spending time with them is the best thing in life. So far they are still willing to spend time with me ;)
September 2025: Ryan Lokken
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
What inspired me to come to affinity Ranch was driving by every day and always curious about what was going on there. When I signed up for orientation and walked around and saw all the amazing things they were doing for kids and adults. I knew it was a great foundation.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
The feeling I get seeing the smiles on kid's faces after seeing them on a horse or being there just to see animals.
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
For a favorite animal at the ranch I would have to say it would be Rollo. He came to the ranch the same week I started. He’s witty and has a great personality.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
For my free time I like spending time with my kids and family. I also like being in the mountains exploring Colorado is a beautiful place and so many places to see.
August 2025: Connie Clifford
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
Some of my best memories as a kid were of riding on and connecting with my horse Rufus. As an adult I have loved working with special needs students to improve their independence and confidence. Putting those two things together as the ranch does brings me joy.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
Volunteering at the ranch has helped me focus on the moment, to be patient, to be observant and to celebrate small victories. Plus I get to hang out with really kind and caring people.
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
My favorite animal is the one I'm snuggling with at the moment.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
In my spare time I enjoy reading, walking our dog Pepper, and traveling to visit our daughters.
July 2025: Rondi Davis
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
Eight years ago, I was looking for a new volunteer activity and decided to look into therapeutic riding programs. In January 2018, I signed up to volunteer at Promise Ranch in Franktown as a horse leader for client classes. I quickly started to bond with the instructors, volunteers and clients and knew I had found my community. I followed
Promise Ranch from Franktown to Castle Rock and then to Parker to our newly formed Affinity Ranch.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
Huge impact! I have developed lasting friendships with the staff, instructors, volunteers and clients during my years as a volunteer. The ranch is so collaborative and inclusive, and everyone puts their heart into their role at the ranch. To watch our clients progress in their abilities is the best feeling ever – this is my therapy too!
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
I enjoy being with all our animals, so it is difficult to pick a favorite. My latest favorite is Shawnee who is new at the ranch as a therapeutic riding horse. I love his mellow personality, his gentleness and willingness during our client classes.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
I go to another private ranch to ride and take care of my horse Kohl (Quarter/Arab mix). I also love to walk my dog Gonzo Pyrenees/Anatolian Shepherd), hike, go on picnics and mountain drives with my husband David. Mountain escapes are our favorite journeys, and we love to explore the history in our state.
June 2025: Amy Volkert
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
My experiences with horses - both personal and through my daughter - have given me deep appreciation for their power to heal, connect, and uplift. There’s something truly special about the bond between humans and horses. They understand us without words, with their patience and a kind of quiet wisdom. I love helping foster that connection between the amazing individuals and animals at the ranch.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
Volunteering has given me a strong sense of purpose and consistently offers a fresh perspective. I find a lot of joy in seeing a client light up when they see their pony or when they build confidence while riding or doing groundwork exercises. And I love the connections with others at the ranch. It's a place where you can truly be yourself. I've learned a lot from the therapists and horse trainers.
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
That's a tough question - it's the animal I interacted with last! If I had to choose, though, it would be Salida, with her deep knowing eyes. She tests boundaries but appreciates fairness. I love working with her. She definitely keeps you on your toes!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
I enjoy my full-time job (in supply chain risk management) and am very grateful for that. In my spare time when I'm not at the ranch, I enjoy a good novel, a good campsite, and spending time with my husband, children, and dogs.
May 2025: Brooklynn Dominguez
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
I started working at the ranch because I'm a missionary. I volunteer full time at charities on behalf of my church. When I was given my options, I had to choose the one with horses.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
I've loved my time at the ranch. I used to be a bit impatient with the long classes and the cold arena, but I've started to love spending time with the kids I work with. I like the animals, and I like having the chance to do something good for someone else.
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
My favorite animal at the ranch is Pumpkin. He's a troublemaker, but it's adorable, so I forgive him.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
When I'm not at the Ranch, I volunteer at other places. I work at Help and Hope, The Edward's Foundation, The Backpack Society, and Secor, which are all food banks and animal rescues. When I'm not a missionary, I enjoy reading and writing fantasy.
April 2025: Christa Rozin
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
I grew up around horses, and after retiring in 2019, I was looking for an opportunity to reconnect with them. I began volunteering at Promise Ranch and continued when it merged with Praying Hands, eventually becoming Affinity Ranch. With a background as a pediatric and neonatal ICU nurse, Affinity Ranch perfectly blends my passion for horses with my desire to help others.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
I feel like I’m making a real difference by volunteering, and it’s introduced me to some truly amazing people I might not have otherwise met. The entire team at Affinity Ranch is great, the instructors are fantastic, and it's so rewarding to watch the clients improve and grow. Additionally, building connections with the horses and people at the Ranch has been really beneficial for my own mental well-being!
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
My favorite animal is Salida. She is the horse that I work with the most, and I feel like we have developed a nice relationship! Also, she is gorgeous!
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
Along with volunteering at Affinity Ranch, I walk dogs at Humane Colorado and play the flute with the Mile High Freedom Band. I make it a point to get outdoors as often as possible, whether running or hiking on the trails. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, exploring Colorado and traveling abroad.
March 2024: Amy Gross
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
My days at the ranch inspire me to continue advocating for people with disabilities on legislation and accessibility. I am also inspired by the horses and am currently taking a few weeks to focus on my mental health at a ranch where I will have my own horse to care for and ride! When I get back, I will be looking for a horse of my own :)
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
It’s hard to choose a favorite animal at the ranch! I really love them all but am especially drawn to Dusty because of his size and his sweet, chill demeanor.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
When I’m not at the ranch I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking all the beautiful trails here in Colorado, paddle boarding in the summer, sewing, yoga and working out.
February 2025: Lori Brunn
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
The short answer is that as a horse lover and retired Speech-Language Pathologist it’s the perfect program to fulfill two of my passions (being with horses and working with the special needs population).
I moved to Colorado about a year ago to help take care of my first grandchild when their maternity leave ended so I was looking for a place to volunteer on my off days. I grew up with backyard horses as my parents raised and showed Morgan horses, loved trail riding through my youth and then started up again in my adulthood with a trail horse and 2 police horses. Professionally, I specialized in incorporating Sensory Integration techniques in Speech and Language therapy with children in a multidisciplinary early intervention setting. The collaboration among OT, PT and Speech therapists was transformative for our clients and I see the same spirit with the ranch staff. Being away from my professional practice as well as horses for the past 10 years has left a void in my life. When I first toured Affinity Ranch I just felt at home. It is the perfect place for me- it’s an environment I enjoy, I’m around people I relate to, and I get to care for the animals and people I love and understand.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
Greatly for the better! Life changes, throws curve balls, and requires us to adjust and adapt. You throw aging in there and you discover the best thing you can do for yourself is to find your particular “recipe" that keeps you positive, purposeful, and passionate. Affinity Ranch is an important part of my perfect “recipe”.
Who is my favorite ranch animal?
Dora :) She just makes me happy. She reminds me of my first pony, Chico, when I was a kid (my parents made me sell cookies door to door til I earned $50 then they would kick in the other $50 to get him-lol). In my eyes, she’s just adorable.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
I love the outdoors, I love to travel, I love being with family, and I love church.
Being new to Colorado, I am finding lots of places to hike, explore and ski (ya’all are so lucky!). I travel a bit as my family is sort of all over the map now-I hop on a plane about once a month to visit (Connecticut, California, Texas) and just got back from 2 weeks in Switzerland which was wonderful. Other than that I am enjoying being involved in church and meeting new people.
January 2025: Gary Martinez
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
Being around the horses brings back such great memories from when I was growing up. My grandfather was a rancher and just being back around the horses after so many years has been fantastic.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
It’s the clients. Being around the smiles and helping them just gives me a joy that I can’t match anywhere! Just knowing that we’re giving them something that they wouldn’t be able to enjoy without us helping. Finally, it’s being with everybody here that has the same interests as me. Seeing everybody so single minded and purposeful with this community, there’s nothing better!
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
I'd say Dora only because she has such a great disposition. She is also so good with the clients. Of course all the cats are sweet and certainly help keep things in order! And of course the rascally wabbits are very special as well.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
Outside of the ranch I spend a lot of time on my bicycles. I support the BikeMS effort here in Colorado. We're working and riding hard to find a cure and rid the world of thus terrible disease. This year I spent about 5,000 miles in distance and 225,000 feet of climbing. Goal is to push a little farther next year.
December 2024: Karen Clark
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
I just wanted to be around horses and then I enjoyed being around the clients and people. It is very rewarding.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
It feels good to have a purpose and feel like you're making a difference. All of the people here are like friends and family.
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
At the moment it's Ronnie but my very first one was Preacher.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
Spending time with my horse, Otter, our little 1-year-old Austrailian Shepherd, and my husband.
November 2024: Jim Clifford
What inspired you to work at the ranch?
My wife brought me to the ranch.
How has your volunteer time impacted your life?
It gives me a good sense of purpose working with the riders and the Horses
Who is your favorite animal at the Ranch?
My favorite horses are Dusty and Ron.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not at the Ranch?
I like playing golf and watching sports