Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch: Providing a path to safety for families and their animals
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BOXHOLM, IOWA -- For many families facing a crisis, leaving an unsafe situation can be difficult enough. For those with beloved pets or larger animals, that decision can become even more complicated when there is nowhere safe for their animals to go.
That is the need behind Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch, a developing nonprofit organization in rural Iowa working to create a confidential, safe refuge where families experiencing domestic violence or another family crisis can temporarily place their animals while they seek safety and stability.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to recognize the realities of domestic violence, support survivors and bring attention to the resources that can help families find a path to safety. For Dreamweaver, that awareness also means recognizing an often-overlooked part of the safety equation: the animals families love.
The organization's mission is simple:
No family should have to choose between safety and the animals they love.
For someone trying to leave an unsafe home, an animal is not simply a possession that can be left behind. They are family. They can be a source of comfort, companionship and stability during one of the most frightening times in a person's life. Unfortunately, animals can also become a target of abuse or a means of control.
Research shows just how significant that connection can be.
A national survey conducted by the Urban Resource Institute (URI) and the National Domestic Violence Hotline found that 97% of survivors said keeping their pets with them was an important factor in deciding whether or not to seek shelter, while 50% said they would not consider shelter for themselves if they could not take their pets with them. The same survey found that 91% said their pets' emotional support and physical protection were significant to their ability to survive and heal.
Other research has found that 71% of survivors with animals entering domestic violence shelters reported that their abusive partner had injured, killed or threatened their animals.
Behind those numbers are families making incredibly difficult decisions.
When safe shelter is available for a person but there is no safe place for their animal, leaving may mean choosing between their own safety and the safety of a beloved companion. For someone who has already experienced fear, control and uncertainty, being forced to leave an animal behind can become an overwhelming barrier to getting out. Dreamweaver hopes to help remove that barrier.
A Mission Built From Personal Experience
Dreamweaver was founded by Linda Wilke, whose own experience with domestic violence helped shape the organization's mission.
In 2010 , when Wilke realized the difficult decision she needed to make to leave an unsafe situation with her children, she also faced the heartbreaking reality of what would happen to the animals her family loved. She eventually had to leave her horses in the care of a friend in another part of the state and surrender two dogs before relocating out of state and rebuilding her life. Eventually, she was able to return to Iowa and bring her horses home.
That experience stayed with her.
It became the inspiration for creating the resource she wished had existed for her family -- one that could give other families the opportunity to seek safety without having to leave their animals behind.
"No family should have to choose between their own safety and the animals they love," Wilke said.
That belief became the foundation for Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch.
Building a Resource for Families and Their Animals
Dreamweaver is being developed to provide confidential, temporary care for companion animals as well as larger farm animals, including horses, cattle, sheep and goats.
The goal is to work alongside domestic violence advocates and other community partners so that animal safety can become part of the overall safety plan when a survivor needs to leave.
Dreamweaver has already begun taking in a small number of companion animals as the organization continues developing its capacity. However, additional building renovations are still needed before the organization can safely accommodate more animals and expand the services it plans to provide.
The long-term vision includes a rural facility where animals can receive safe, compassionate daily care while their families have the opportunity to take the next steps toward a safer future.
Services are being designed to include confidential animal sheltering, daily care, veterinary support and transportation assistance when needed. The organization does not intend to charge survivors for the care of their animals. Services will be supported through grants, donations, sponsorships and community fundraising.
Dreamweaver is currently in the development and fundraising stage, with land secured and plans underway to renovate the rural facility. The organization is also continuing the process of establishing its nonprofit and 501(c)(3) status while developing the policies, partnerships and infrastructure necessary to serve families.
Partnerships Are an Important Part of the Vision
Dreamweaver recognizes that it cannot do this work alone.
An important part of the organization's development has been building relationships with agencies and professionals already serving families in crisis. Dreamweaver is working toward a collaborative referral process with local advocates and community agencies so families can receive support for both themselves and their animals.
One of those community partners is ACCESS -- Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support, based in Ames, which provides free and confidential services to survivors in Boone, Greene, Story, Marshall and Tama counties.
Dreamweaver hopes to continue strengthening this relationship and others like it so advocates have an additional resource when a survivor has animals that need a safe place to go.
The organization is also establishing partnerships with area veterinarians, animal-care professionals, businesses and other community organizations to build a network of support.
A Dedicated Board and a Community Effort
Dreamweaver is fortunate to have a dedicated board of animal-loving directors who share a deep commitment to the organization's mission.
Together, the board brings compassion, empathy and a genuine desire to help guide Dreamweaver as it develops this new resource for rural families and their animals.
The board's goals include empowering survivors, providing immediate animal safety, raising community awareness and developing a sustainable model that can eventually serve a larger rural region.
Confidentiality and safety will remain at the center of Dreamweaver's work. While the organization is based in rural Boone County, the location of the refuge will remain confidential. Services will be designed to protect the privacy and safety of families and their animals while providing dependable care during a difficult transition.
Fall Family FUNdraiser
One of the next steps in helping Dreamweaver move forward is raising the funds needed to continue renovations, expand its ability to care for animals and build the foundation for future services.
Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch will host its Fall Family FUNdraiser on Saturday, October 3, with a rain date of Saturday, October 10, at the Boxholm Ball Park, 404 Walnut St., Boxholm.
The community is invited to bring the family and enjoy an afternoon of food, activities and fun while supporting Dreamweaver's mission.
The event will feature Scott Amusements carnival rides, live music by Rural Route, a petting zoo from Just Plum Crazy Acres, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, face painting, games and other family activities.
Activities and wristband admission will be from 1-4 p.m. Admission wristbands are $20 per person and include all the family activities and rides.
A food stand will also be available in the park shelter building from 12-5 p.m., with a variety of food, snacks and refreshments available for purchase.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch and help support the continued development of its animal refuge.
As Dreamweaver prepares for its first Fall Family FUNdraiser this October, the event takes on an especially meaningful connection to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. While the fundraiser is designed to be a fun, family-friendly community event, it also provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the connection between family safety and animal safety -- and why resources like Dreamweaver are needed.
"The event is intended to be more than just a fundraiser," Wilke said. "It is an opportunity for area families, businesses and community members to learn about Dreamweaver, meet some of the people supporting its development, and become part of building a new community resource."
Learn More and Get Involved
As Dreamweaver continues to grow, community support will be an important part of making its vision a reality. Those interested in learning more, following the organization's progress, volunteering, donating or becoming a community partner can connect with Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch through its Facebook page. The organization's website, dreamweaverrescue.org , is currently under construction and will provide additional information as development continues.
Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch can also be reached by mail at PO Box 128, Boxholm, IA 50040, or by email at dreamweaver.rescue@outlook.com
Businesses, organizations and individuals are all welcome to become part of the Dreamweaver community through sponsorships, donations, volunteering, partnerships or simply helping spread the word.
The organization's hope is that, as Dreamweaver grows, it can become part of a strong network of community resources helping families take the difficult step toward safety without having to leave the animals they love behind.
"Together, we are weaving a path to safety for families and the animals they love."
Because leaving is already hard enough, and sometimes, knowing "I can leave, and my animal will be safe" can be the first step toward a safer future.
Dreamweaver Stables and Rescue Ranch is being built on the belief that both people and animals deserve safety, support and a path forward.