Kim EAL (Equine Assisted Learning)Facilitator
Founder/President
Hi there! I'm Kim, the founder of XO Ranch.
Working with horses has been a life long journey for me. One filled with healing, discovery and growth. I started XO Ranch in 2021 to honor my late mother who worked with adults with disabilities, and to support my son with autism. This ranch is my heart project, a place where children including those with special needs can care for animals, learn horsemanship skills, and grow in confidence.
My love for horses began when I was just 6 years old. Riding on trails and beaches in Mexico with my mom. When my son was diagnosed with autism I saw first hand how therapeutic horses can be. That experience lit a fire in me to learn more and I began training with PATH International and more.
Today XO Ranch is home to a herd of therapy animals that serve individuals of all ages and abilities. Our therapy animals visit schools, memory care facilities, and special events. (And yes sometimes they show up dressed as unicorns!)
At XO Ranch we believe healing begins with connections, with the animals, the land and each other. I am passionate to make that healing accessible to everyone, and I am so glad you are here.
Emily Pierce- CTRI (Certified Therapuetic Riding Instructor)
Emily Pierce is XO Ranch’s Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructor, and we truly couldn’t ask for a better teammate. With years of experience in the equine-assisted services world, Emily brings a deep understanding of both horses and people- and how healing happens when the two connect.
Her calm, fun and confident energy helps riders of all ages feel safe, seen, and supported. Whether she’s guiding a first time rider through a breakthrough moment or working closely with one of our therapy horses to develop trust and communication, Emily leads with compassion, patience, and professionalism.
Emily is an incredible asset to the XO Ranch family and we’re so grateful to have her helping our mission grow - one ride, one student and one connection at a time.
Stephanie — Equine-Assisted Learning Facilitator in Training
XO Ranch Volunteer | PATH Intl. Member
Stephanie first discovered XO Ranch after seeing a post on Facebook. As a mother of a child with autism, she deeply understands the challenges families face and felt called to be part of something that brought real support and connection to the community. She joined the Ranch with the hope of helping others—and quickly became an essential part of the XO Ranch family.
Stephanie is passionate about horses and the transformative power they have in personal development. Her favorite part of ranch work is witnessing the excitement and pride on students’ faces as their gifts come forward. Watching participants grow, gain confidence, and discover strengths they never knew they had is what fuels her service here.
While she loves all the animals (and the dogs who think they’re staff), Stephanie has a special connection with Andi the therapy mini, as well as herd leaders Princeton and DonKAY.
Stephanie is currently pursuing her PATH Intl. Equine-Assisted Learning Credential, driven by her love for helping people and her desire to grow in this field. A defining moment for her was watching Ian complete the Ranch Works program—seeing his pride, confidence, and transformation reaffirmed why she does this work. Those breakthroughs inspire her to keep learning and serving.
As XO Ranch grows, Stephanie hopes to welcome more students and expand the number of people the ranch can support.
Outside the ranch, she loves camping and spending time with her grandchildren.
In Stephanie’s words, XO Ranch is:
“A place to serve the community and ourselves… a little broken but full of love.”
Cecelia Norman — Programs and Operations Coordinator/CTRI Intern
Long before I knew what therapy was, horseback riding was mine. As a child, it gave me confidence, resilience, and a sense of acceptance that has shaped who I am today and continues to influence the way I approach both life and my work.
When I moved onto XO Ranch as an onsite tenant, I never imagined it would become so much more than where I lived. I quickly connected with Kim and was inspired by the incredible community she had created. I began volunteering during lessons simply because I loved being part of the program, and over time, my role naturally grew.
Today, as XO Ranch's Programs & Operations Coordinator and CTRI Intern, I have the privilege of supporting the organization both behind the scenes and in the arena. From coordinating programs and operations to writing grants, developing lesson materials, and supporting participants, I love helping create experiences where people feel capable, included, and empowered.
Whether I'm working with horses, planning our next program, or finding creative solutions to everyday challenges, my goal is simple: to help make XO Ranch a place where every person feels seen, valued, and encouraged to grow.
I'm grateful that what started with a love of horses became the opportunity to help serve a community I now proudly call home.