Rosi C. Ranch providing equine therapy for veterans, children & families

MADISON TOWNSHIP — Horses are some of the best secret-keepers. At least according to John Ritzo.

Ritzo, a volunteer and board member for Rosi C. Ranch in Madison Township, spoke Monday at the non-profit’s ribbon cutting for new equine therapy programs.

“As a disabled veteran, my social anxiety attacks kept me house-ridden,” Ritzo said. “But the Rosu C. Ranch was already a family-like community then.

“They fed us dinner, we talked as a group and learned a lesson about the horses before we spent time with them.”

Ritzo is now a volunteer and board member for Rosi C. Ranch. The nearly 6-acre farm is located at 1325 Fleming Falls Road.

He said he first found equine therapy through a recommendation from a Veterans Affairs office.

There was something different about the Rosi C. that made me look forward to coming to class,” Ritzo said.

“They taught emotional support and coping skills, and a place to practice what we learned. On one occasion, we were taught to tell our hurts and traumas with a horse. 

“Sharing with them without fear or judgment, I soon felt well enough to begin sharing with the group.”

Rosi C. Ranch offers equine-facilitated learning programs

The Rosi C. Ranch officially received its non-profit status in December 2024, opening the door for grants, government programs and tax benefits. 

The faith-based program is establishing learning programs for trauma survivors under  executive director Jonathan Patton.

It is also establishing programs for homeschooled students, at-risk youth and people coping with grief. 

Patton has worked with multiple equine therapeutic facilities for about 10 years. He knocked on Colace’s door to ask how the two of them could collaborate.

In addition to programming for trauma survivors and veterans, Patton said he wants to start more outdoor education programs.

“I went on a remote camping trip after my military service — had never been around a horse before then — and I realized a lot of my issues stemming from being overseas had subsided,” he said.

“So then I thought, if these horses can do that for me, how can I introduce this to other people?

“I don’t like pointing out problems without finding solutions. Here, we are helping kids and families break generational trauma. We’re showing them the value that God has given them.”

Patton said he wants to build relationships with other agencies and nonprofits for Rosi C. Ranch participants to receive help they need. Each of the programs the ranch offers include a meal, discussion topic with a group and time to interact with the herd.

“A lot of our volunteers and staff have overcome their own traumas, which makes them relatable and gives others in our community hope,” Patton said. 

The ranch is about six acres, formerly owned by Colace’s grandmother. Colace said she and her husband Tony took over the Hagerman family farm in 2017, naming it “Rosi C.” in honor of her grandma.

“My dad was at the point where he was going to sell the farm, and at the time, we were living in our perfect little dream house in Pleasant Hill,” Colace said. “The Lord put it on my heart and my husband said ‘What’s going to require the most faith?’”

The Rosi C. Ranch founder said she doesn’t do a lot of advertising, she just “prays for the right connections.”

“We love unconditionally,” she said.

Porsche Ernsberger, a Rosi C. Ranch volunteer, said the staff and Colace were “a Godsend” for her.

“It’s an amazing place and they’ve done amazing things here,” she said. “The great thing about the horses is if you’re nervous, they’re going to be nervous, but if you’re broken, they will heal you.

“You could show up one time and not come again for 6 weeks, and the horses will remember you.”

The ranch currently has three horses — Dallas, Dakota and Cinnamon. A mule named Caroline also lives on the farm. Colace said she is working to get another horse soon. 

Interested volunteers or customers can contact the ranch at RosiCRanch@gmail.com, 740-360-2913 or on Facebook. Rosi C. Ranch is online at Rosi-C-Ranch.com.