Where Horses Heal, and Purpose Begins
A nonprofit ranch where healing is both structured and soulful.
OUR MISSION
Joy for Life is a nonprofit ranch where healing is both structured and soulful. We serve children and adults with cognitive disabilities and emotional trauma—offering equine-assisted therapy, onsite living, and paid ranch work that restores dignity and purpose.
At the center of it all are horses—nature’s most intuitive healers. Some are rescues, given a second chance of their own. With licensed therapists, mentors, and advisors guiding each step, we create more than therapy—we create a life worth waking up for.
WHAT WE OFFER
• Equine-Assisted Therapy — professional, relationship-based care with measurable outcomes
• Onsite Living & Income — stable housing and paid ranch work for dignity and stability
• Life Skills, Mentorship, & Mental Health Support — licensed clinicians and mentors guiding growth
• Structure, Accountability, & Belonging — daily routines, responsibility, and a true community
WHY HORSES
Horses are exquisitely attuned to human emotion. Their calm, responsive presence helps regulate stress, build trust, and model healthy boundaries—without words. On our ranch, horses aren’t props; they’re partners in healing.
Reduction of Stress via Cortisol in Children
A 2014 pediatric study at the University of Washington found that equine-facilitated learning significantly reduced cortisol levels in children, alongside improvements in social skills, self-esteem, self-control, communication, and respect for others.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Adolescents
A 2024 literature review of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) demonstrated effectiveness in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety in adolescents, and its potential utility for PTSD in first responders and individuals with substance use disorders.
Improved Mental Health in ADHD Children
A 2023 study involving children with ADHD showed that equine-assisted therapy boosted self-esteem and executive function—a key mental health metric.
THE RANCH WE’RE BUILDING
On land donated by the Hopman family, Joy for Life will be a living, working sanctuary. Participants will live onsite, care for horses, earn income, and receive structured therapy in a place designed for stability, purpose, and hope.
BOARD & ADVISORS
Nicole M Hopman — President & Founder
Ryan L Hopman, Ph.D. — Co-Founder / Strategic Advisor
Peter Ellis — Director of Operations & Marketing (pending)
Warner Knickrhem — Director of Land Management
Senator Lisa Reynolds, MD — Oregon Senate; Pediatrician & Mental Health Policy Leader
Rep. Shannon Jones Isadore — Oregon House; Psychotherapist & Equity Advocate
Mason Azose — Vice President, J.P. Morgan Private Bank; Strategic Financial Advisor
Dr. Robert Olsen / BestMind Behavioral Health — Clinical Partner
Nick Gower, Esq. — Civil Litigation & Formation Counsel
Jonathan J. Cavanagh, Esq. — Regulatory & Business Oversight
GET INVOLVED
• Donate — Fuel therapy, housing, and paid ranch work.
• Volunteer — Barn support, events, and mentorship.
• Sponsor — Underwrite a horse, program, or resident.