VALOR RANCH, Inc.

Valor Ranch focuses on a holistic approach to empower our nation’s female veterans. Each veteran is housed in her own “cottage” on the ranch, but shares in activities such as cooking, gardening, and tending to the animals to support the ranch population as a whole. Additionally, our SHEREOS participate in group and one-on-one counseling, budgeting and cooking classes, and volunteering in the community in order to learn the life skills necessary to successfully transition into civilian life after Service to our Country.

Our organization is actively involved in Building Thriving Communities among Veterans, to help them through difficulties often experienced as they navigate the military to community transition. We have developed strategies to narrow the “civilian-military divide” by bringing together Veterans and supporters, to work side by side, to build infrastructure and perform farm chores. These activities reduce Veteran isolation and help them feel more connected to others. It also gives those who don’t know any military members or Veterans an opportunity to meet some of “the 1%” who volunteered to fight for our country.

Valor Ranch offers our Nation's Sheroes a network of sisters from a commitment to mutual respect, support, and sisterhood. In effect, it's a network built on the tried-and-true military concept of having your sister's "six".
Put simply, Valor Ranch provides a safe place for military sisters to connect and encourage one another. Then, from this camaraderie and collective strength comes the opportunity for women to fight for improvements in the conditions that structure their lives, the lives of their sisters, and continue writing their story.

PTS, MST and other military trauma is complex that is often treated with both therapy and medication.
Caring for horses through grooming, feeding, and being around them has positive effects on the physical well-being, communication skills, and much more. Equine assisted therapy allows the veteran to experiment with caring for another again. The relationship that develops between the veteran and horse becomes a powerful change agent. The presence of the horse helps to reflect the individuals’ actions in the moment. The facilitator translates feedback the horse is giving and prompts the client to think about her preconceived ideas about relationships, leadership, and communication. Therapy dogs can help prevent future issues like substance abuse. Having emotional support is crucial for individuals suffering from mental health issues like PTS, MST, or other military trauma.

Community service for many Veterans, serves as an opportunity for them to give back in a way they haven’t been able to do since leaving the military. It provides a strong sense of community for many Veterans and has helped pave the way for many to find jobs and become better acclimated to civilian life.

Leaders on the Ranch and in the community will act as outreach champions at events and meetups, promoting the Valor Ranch and its mission. Ambassadors will increase mission on/off the ranch and cause exposure by sharing their own experiences and information. Ambassadors will encourage the community to become supporters by introducing friends, family members and strangers to the need of support for the mission of Valor Ranch. More importantly, Ambassadors will become mentors to the Sheroes on the ranch. Especially those who have been through the program.

Sister chat encourages validation. By being in a group with others struggling with similar challenges, you can see that you are not alone in your struggles. Another benefit of sister chat is the ability to learn from the experiences of others. What worked and what didn't work. Helping others can increase self-esteem, as well as belief in your own abilities.
Finally, sister chat provides an excellent way of receiving social support from others. A group setting can provide you with the opportunity to develop supportive, trusting, and healthy relationships.

Valor Ranch provides a safe, nurturing environment where SHEROES can stay for one to 12 months to refocus and outline the next chapter of her story.

Valor Ranch is a community effort. It has often been said, it takes a village to raise a child. It will also take a like-minded community to empower our Nation's SHEROES. Through the help of organizations focused on and experienced in the military community we can make a difference together.

Valor Ranch focuses on a holistic approach to empower our nation’s female veterans. Each veteran is housed in her own “cottage” on the ranch, but shares in activities such as cooking, gardening, and tending to the animals to support the ranch population as a whole. Additionally, our SHEREOS participate in group and one-on-one counseling, budgeting and cooking classes, and volunteering in the community in order to learn the life skills necessary to successfully transition into civilian life after Service to our Country.

Our organization is actively involved in Building Thriving Communities among Veterans, to help them through difficulties often experienced as they navigate the military to community transition. We have developed strategies to narrow the “civilian-military divide” by bringing together Veterans and supporters, to work side by side, to build infrastructure and perform farm chores. These activities reduce Veteran isolation and help them feel more connected to others. It also gives those who don’t know any military members or Veterans an opportunity to meet some of “the 1%” who volunteered to fight for our country.

Valor Ranch is the brainchild of a widow, mother, daughter, sister, and granddaughter of veterans, who has teamed up with the head of program operations of a local Veteran Service Organization based out of Ft. Worth, Texas. Together, they are on a mission to begin the journey of Serving, Honoring, Empowering, and Restoring Our Esteemed Servicewomen.

Before the conception of Valor Ranch, President and Founder Keri Anne has diligently worked with the military population in the DFW Metroplex and beyond. She has successfully built relationships with over 100 organizations that serve the military population in some capacity, such as but not limited to, research therapy, counseling, housing, education, career placement, and so much more. This has provided avenues for Keri Anne to advocate and assist in many different capacities for over 350 military connected individuals. Including securing housing, personal transportation, automotive repairs, financial assistance, navigation through the VA registration process, applying, appealing, and obtaining their entitled benefits, and more importantly giving them a reason to live tomorrow. Taking it one day at a time. Time and time again Keri Anne has been told, "because of you, I will be here tomorrow," "You have impacted not only my life but the life of my entire family." Just to name a few.

As a result of the impact, she has witnessed first-hand, this has led her to sale her family home in the city and purchase a 9-acre ranch in Decatur, TX in 2018. She continues her daily advocacy in the military community and building the ranch. The common area is close to completion and she is currently designing the cottages, working with the county on electrical and two aerobic systems. With her strong faith in Christ, support from her family, and the amazing community nothing is impossible.

2020 Update: Decatur, Texas (Oct. 31, 2019) – Valor Ranch awarded a $225,000 grant to begin Phase 1 construction of housing for female veterans to empower our Nation’s Sheroes to continue writing their story.
“It is an honor to receive this generous grant,” said Keri Wilcox, Founder of Valor Ranch. “This allows Valor Ranch to begin constructing cottages for the SHEROES, women defined as heroes.”
2020 Update: Decatur, TX (October 7, 2020) - Phase 1 is complete. 4 cottages are in place awaiting the arrival of their Sheroes.
2021 Update: Decatur, TX The first Shero joined the Tribe in December of 2020. We are pleased to report she is doing very well. In February we are expecting the arrival of our second Shero.