OUR MISSION
Robinson Outreach at RiverCross Ranch strives to relieve the conditions associated with youth and elderly in need, by providing Equine Assisted Learning and related therapies.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DONORS AND SPONSORS
ABOUT US
The Robinson family has deep roots in the Springbank community and take pride in their generous contributions to this area for many decades. This long-time ranching family is now fulfilling a dream that will allow others to share in the beauty of their Springbank ranch. The ROARR foundation is doing exactly that – sharing the family’s blessings with others that are not as fortunate. ROARR's headquarters are located at RiverCross Ranch, on the Robinson’s Val Vista Ranch property just west of the Springbank High School.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MEET OUR TEAM
Tracy Brooker
Administrative Director
Tracy has lived in and around the Calgary / Cochrane area for most of her professional career. With a Bachelor of Physical Education from the University of Calgary, and a Minor in Recreation Management from Mount Royal, she established herself as an expert in the field of community recreation. With over twenty years experience working in the Recreation Industry, she brings a wealth of management knowledge in a variety of disciplines. She has experience running programming for children with horses and looks forward to developing many more with ROARR.
Deanne Robinson
President
Megan Becker
Manager, Equine Operations
Megan lives in Airdrie, Alberta, and went to school in Calgary at Mount Royal University.
She feels blessed to have grown up around all kinds of animals, but horses have always been her number one passion! She currently has 4 horses of her own, and enjoys competing with them in barrel racing on the weekends!
She's very excited to be starting up with ROARR where she will get to work alongside these amazing animals while helping others!
Hugs
Hugs is a 5-year-old miniature horse who was purchased for the ROARR charity in 2017. Hugs is Kisses half-sister. Hugs loves to spend time with seniors and youth. She is a little nervous when she goes into houses and buildings but she is learning to get used to it! She is very nosy and loves to stick her nose in seniors wheelchairs and walkers to see what they have!
Kisses
Kisses is a 5-year-old miniature horse who was purchased for the ROARR charity in 2017. Kisses is Hugs half-sister. Kisses is the boss of her herd and she makes sure everyone knows that when it's feeding time. Kisses loves to sniff seniors' faces and does so well going into the houses and hospices. She loves to try new things as long as she has a friend with her.
Star
Star is a 15-year-old miniature horse from Kansas. Star's full name is Morning Star and she was a show horse for pulling carts. Star thinks she is the star of the show and definitely has some attitude. Star likes to spend time with youth and seniors but will start pawing when she loses interest and wants to move on. She still knows how to pull a cart and we are excited to get her started!
Hershey
Hershey is an 8-year-old miniature horse from Kansas. Hershey's legal name is Black Beauty and he used to be a show horse for pulling carts. Hershey has an attitude and is a lot of fun to spend time with. He does so well working with youth and enjoys visiting with the seniors.
Toby
Toby is a 17-year-old bay gelding who has joined us from California. With his extensive experience teaching kids how to ride and play polo at the Calgary Polo Club, Toby will make a fantastic addition to our youth programs here at RiverCross Ranch. 🌟
Toby's friendly and kind nature, combined with his loveable personality, will surely make him a favorite among our visitors. You can spot Toby by his beautiful bay coat, his star marking, and a touch of white hair by his belly. 🌟
Benjamin
Benjamin is a full grown Jerusalem donkey, he has a big voice and personality and is broke to ride! If he loves you, he will give you a sniff and a friendly head butt. His most distinguishing characteristic is his big ears!
Tuffey
Tuffey is a 25 year old Paint horse, he is very sweet and and likes to stay close to his best buddy Ben, we love his cool markings and long curly mane. Ben and Tuffey came together from Okotoks AB
Don
Don is a 20-year-old Quarter Horse who was donated by Simpson Ranching in 2018. Don is a retired ranching horse who used to spend his time chasing cattle and helping around the ranch. Don has a big personality and likes to untie his rope when he's tied up. If you stop brushing him when he wants to be brushed, he will pick up a brush with his teeth and pass it to you. Don can sometimes be a handful but he has found a special place in our older youths' hearts.
Chochie
Chochie is a 25-year-old Thoroughbred who has lived at RiverCross Ranch for most of his life. Chochie used to chase cattle and now he loves being a therapy horse. Chochie loves to communicate with his human friends. If you don't pay attention to him, he will give you a friendly head butt. Chochie gets stressed out when he is separated from his friends but loves being with people the most!
Lippy
Lippy is a 23 year old Quarter Horse donated to ROARR In 2020. Lippy used to be a ‘pack horse’ and spent much of his time on mountain trails. Lippy is a gentle soul who enjoys being around people. Lippy is about as easy going as they come. He is enjoying his retirement with our herd at ROARR.
Hammer
Hammer is a 20-year-old Quarter Horse who was donated by Simpson Ranching in 2018. Hammer is a retired ranching horse who used to spend his time chasing cattle and helping around the ranch. We think Hammer got his name because his trot feels like you are sitting on the back of a Hammer! He has a very sweet personality, loves to please and is so gentle with everyone he spends time with.
Ruth
Ruth is a 17 year old quarter horse donated by Simpson Ranching in 2022. As the newest member of the herd he stays close by his best friend Chochie. Ruth is our yes man, because he always nods his head to show us what a good listener he is! Ruth is excited to be apart of our programs and meet the participants, but he has already won our hearts.
Smoke
Smoke is a 25-year-old Quarter Horse who was donated by Simpson Ranching in 2018. Smoke is a retired ranching horse who used to spend his time chasing cattle and helping around the ranch. Smoke is so gentle with everyone he meets and loves to sniff your face. Smoke is enjoying his new life as a therapy horse and enjoys the attention he gets from our youth!
MEET OUR BOARD
OUR FRIENDS & SUPPORTERS
TESTIMONIALS
M. Elder, Parent of Participants
"The differences in my children after completing this program are enormous. They were able to support their horse through new challenges, while regulating their feelings so that the horse was comfortable and could succeed. They became more aware of their surroundings and how their energy influenced others. It made them less focused on themselves and more focused on their environment and the people/animals around them. It built their confidence as they felt like leaders helping their horses. They physically relaxed every time they entered the area where the horses were. This learning has continued to impact them and has provided them with more tools to help them cope and thrive every day."
Pat Provost, Piikani First Nation Elder and Horse Spirit Elder Advisor
"Not only will this opportunity help break down the barriers, biases and prejudice that we face in the conduct of the Horse Spirit programming, but it will allow both Horse Spirit and ROARR to formally expand our reach to include youth from diverse cultural backgrounds including those living on and off-reserve."
Jamie Gramlich - Clinician with Wood’s Homes
"In this setting, they have found safety, mastery, meaning, and belonging. We feel incredibly grateful to be able to be offered these opportunities for these youth who would otherwise, not have access to them. For many of them, it is one of the most healing parts of their time with Wood’s."
T. Sieben- Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST)
"The customized Camps that ROARR has offered to children from the Multi Agency School Support Team (MASST) has been one of the best additions to our Spring and Summer programs to date. We have seen the positive impacts which come from Equine Assisted Learning and the feedback from our kids & families has been extremely positive. We hope to continue or collaboration with ROARR well into the future!"