WHISPERING HOPE RANCH FOUNDATION
7405 E MONTE CRISTO, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85260 www.whisperinghoperanch.org

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Organizations Filed Purposes: OFFERING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS & THEIR FAMILIES RUSTIC, ARIZONA RANCH STYLE CAMP & RETREAT OFFERING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS & THEIR FAMILIES RUSTIC, ARIZONA RANCH STYLE CAMP & RETREAT EXPERIENCES ENHANCED BY PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO FOSTER NURTURING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CAMPERS & ANIMALS AT THE RANCH.

SINCE 1999, WHRF HAS PARTNERED WITH MORE THAN 50 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH ANY TYPE OF PHYSICAL, MEDICAL, EMOTIONAL OR INTELLECTUAL CHALLENGE INCLUDING ABUSE AND NEGLECT, AUTISM, BEREAVEMENT TRAUMA, BRAIN INJURY, CANCER AND OTHER SERIOUS ILLNESSES, CEREBRAL PALSY, DOWN SYNDROME, HEART CONDITIONS, KIDNEY DISEASE, MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY, SPINA BIFIDA AND VISUAL IMPAIRMENT.THE ONLY ORGANIZATION OF ITS KIND IN ARIZONA WITH THE ONLY FULLY ACCESSIBLE CAMP FACILITY DESIGNED AND BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP SPECIFICALLY TO ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, WHISPERING HOPE RANCH FOUNDATION SUPPORTS THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES BY PROVIDING RUSTIC, ARIZONA RANCH-STYLE CAMPS AND RETREATS WITH A DIFFERENCE-LOVING INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CAMPERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND ANIMALS THAT LIVE AT THE RANCH, MOST OF WHOM HAVE PHYSICAL ANOMALIES OR HAVE SUFFERED ILLNESS, INJURY, ABUSE OR ABANDONMENT OR LOSS OF A CAREGIVER.THE RANCH CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 164 INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, THEIR CAREGIVERS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL PER NIGHT. FACILITIES INCLUDE 10 CAMPER CABINS WITH SPECIAL FEATURES SUCH AS WHEELCHAIR CHARGING STATIONS; A RENOVATED, FULLY ACCESSIBLE BUNKHOUSE WHICH ACCOMMODATES AN ADDITIONAL 36 CAMPERS; A WELLNESS CENTER WHERE MEDICAL PERSONNEL PROVIDE CARE TO THE CHILDREN THEY ACCOMPANY TO CAMP; AN ENCLOSED HORSEBACK RIDING ARENA WITH WHEELCHAIR MOUNTING RAMP AND ADAPTED SADDLES; A DINING/ACTIVITY RAMADA; MULTI-SPORT FIELD; A SPLASH PAD FOR COOLING OFF ON HOT SUMMER DAYS; AND, IMPORTANTLY, A CENTER FOR HUMAN-ANIMAL INTERACTION-ALL COMPLETELY ACCESSIBLE TO CHILDREN IN WHEELCHAIRS. THE FOUNDATION ACHIEVES EXCEPTIONALLY BROAD IMPACT IN THE AREAS OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BECAUSE IT OPERATES ON A PARTNERSHIP MODEL. THESE PARTNERS RECRUIT THE CAMP AND RETREAT PARTICIPANTS FROM AMONG THEIR OWN CLIENTS AND ARRANGE FOR SPECIALIZED CAREGIVERS TO ACCOMPANY THEM TO CAMP AS NEEDED. THE HIGHLY EXPERIENCED FOUNDATION STAFF WORKS CLOSELY WITH EACH ORGANIZATION TO CREATE A CAMP PROGRAM THAT SAFELY MEETS THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF THEIR CLIENTS, PROVIDING TRANSFORMATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES FACED WITH MYRIAD CHALLENGES.WHILE TRADITIONAL CAMP ACTIVITIES SUCH AS NATURE HIKES AND ARCHERY TO CAMPFIRES AND CRAFTS ARE OFFERED, THE WHISPERING HOPE EXPERIENCE IS UNIQUE IN THE HEALING BOND THAT GROWS BETWEEN THE CAMPERS AND THE RANCH'S GENTLE ANIMALS. LIKE THE CAMPERS, MANY OF THE ANIMALS LIVE WITH CHALLENGES. SOME HAVE BEEN RESCUED FROM ABUSE OR ABANDONMENT. OTHERS WERE BORN WITH PHYSICAL ANOMALIES, CONTRACTED ILLNESS OR WERE INJURED. THE ESSENCE OF THE WHR EXPERIENCE IS: *THE CONNECTION THAT HAPPENS BETWEEN A CHILD AND AN ANIMAL, BOTH OF WHOM HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS;*THE FEELING OF BELONGING WHEN FRIENDSHIPS ARE FORMED WITH OTHERS WHO FACE SIMILAR CHALLENGES; *AND THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY FORGED AMONG CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS AND A MULTITUDE OF MEDICAL PERSONNEL, CAREGIVERS AND VOLUNTEERS, THAT EXTENDS WELL BEYOND OUR BORDERS, ENRICHING AND IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND VITALITY OF OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE. AT WHISPERING HOPE RANCH, DIFFERENCES ARE ACCEPTED, EVEN CELEBRATED, WHETHER HUMAN OR ANIMAL.

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