Meet Cristi Rose | Founder/Executive Director, Bethany’s Gait Ranch

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristi Rose and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristi, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Bethany’s Gait Ranch is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization so we’re all about helping the community and beyond. I initially started it back in 2007 to rescue horses and pair them with foster children to help both heal. The results were incredibly amazing and we began branching out to serve other at-risk children.

In 2011, my husband, who had served 24 years in the Marine Corps, began to see the toll the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were taking on service members of all branches. Although they were being offered therapy, many weren’t taking advantage of it due to the stigma, or it wasn’t helping in the way they needed. He saw what a difference the horses made for the kids and thought the same might be true for Marines and other service members who weren’t comfortable talking about their feelings. With that, we started a program that was specifically for the military population.

In 2013, we moved ourselves and the program from California to Prescott, Arizona. Our military program had grown dramatically so we decided to focus specifically on military (active, reserve, veteran), first responders and their families. We now have a flourishing kids program called Mustang to Wrangler, a program called Lissa’s Legacy that offers support specifically to wives, and Resilience Unleashed, a program for military/first responders. Our goal is to provide the opportunity for the entire family, not just the service member/first responder, to get support and find community and fellowship with like-minded families.

The Ranch provides a place of solace for those who need it, a place to serve if their hearts desire to do so, and a place to connect with horses and other people who understand where they’ve come from and what they need to move forward with a productive, resilient life.
 
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Bethany’s Gait has come a long way in the 15 years we’ve been in existence. It definitely hasn’t been easy. From loss of our first ranch in a fire, to a move to Arizona, to the loss of friends and horses along the way, it’s had its challenges!

But I’m not a quitter and was determined to bounce back stronger after every roadblock. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else; it’s my heart and my passion. Running your own business, specifically a non-profit, isn’t for the faint at heart. It takes drive, determination, and a will to get back up when you’re knocked down, dust yourself off and continue moving forward.

I have to say I am most proud of our ability to remain flexible and provide what those who come to the Ranch need. We have save marriages, families, and seriously, lives of humans and horses.
 
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Prescott is a small town with lots of outdoor stuff to do. By far, our most interesting area is our downtown square. It is the center of everything with a grassy expanse in the middle, surrounded by antique & western shops and a variety of restaurants. In the Spring & Summer there are lots of concerts, art fairs and other festivals on the Square.

My favorite things to do are ride my horse on the many trails in the area, hike around the Granite Dells, and spend time at one of our four lakes kayaking or hiking. As a small town, we are lucky to have some really great restaurants here including Tara Thai, Raven, The Local (my fav for breakfast!) and Essence Kitchen + Bar.

Founding Fathers Collective is a very interesting establishment and a must-see! It includes a coffee shop, barbershop, Jiu-Jitsu studio, Self-Serve Tap Room with over 50 beers and wine to choose from, and a Speak-Easy that is for members only.
 
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Bethany’s Gait Ranch is run almost entirely by volunteers and is financially supported by personal donations and gifts from local businesses. We absolutely couldn’t exist without them. I, personally, am grateful for each and every one of them and their dedication to the heroes and horses we serve.

Also to Jesus Christ, who put the dream on my heart and made it a reality when I thought it was beyond my capability. All the glory for sure goes to Him!

Website: https://www.bethanysgait.org

Instagram: https://instagram.com/BethanysGaitR

Facebook: https://facebook.com/BethanysGaitR