Our Mission
Veterans Rescue Ranch supports healing through a nature-based way of life that includes working with animals, the land, and one another. Founded by veterans, we remain committed to service by creating safe, welcoming spaces for individuals and families to heal, grow, and reconnect.
Our Vision
A community rooted in nature and connection, offering space for people to do the inner work that leads to healing, purpose, and personal responsibility.
Our Board of Directors
Christina (Christy) Schram
Board President, CEO, & CMO
Co-Founder | Army Veteran | Nature-Based Healing Advocate
Christy Schram is the Co-Founder, Board President, and CEO of Veterans Rescue Ranch, a veteran-founded nonprofit rooted in a nature-based way of life. Guided by a deep belief that healing is a personal choice and that lasting change begins from within, Christy helps create spaces where individuals and families can engage in meaningful inner work through connection with the land, animals, and community.
As an Army veteran, Christy’s commitment to service did not end when she took off the uniform. Her leadership reflects a lifelong dedication to stewardship, responsibility, and walking alongside others—rather than fixing or rescuing them—on their healing journeys. Veterans remain close to her heart, and her work continues to honor both those who have served and the broader community.
Christy is a Certified Life Coach and is certified in Equine-Assisted Learning (EAL) and Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). She is also a trained Beat the Odds drum circle facilitator. In partnership with a local therapist, she co-founded Sangre de Cristo Horse & Healing, offering equine-based experiences to the wider community. Through retreats, equine sessions, and nature-based gatherings, Christy focuses on empowerment, connection, and personal responsibility.
In addition to her work at Veterans Rescue Ranch, Christy serves in multiple community leadership roles, including Treasurer and Board Member of the Custer County Wellness Council, Senior Vice Commander and Veterans Trust Fund Administrator for American Legion Post 170, and member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the Wet Mountain Fire Protection District Auxiliary.
Christy is also an author and speaker on mental and spiritual wellness and continues to expand her education as she works toward becoming a licensed counselor. She is pictured alongside Tank, a rescue dog whose presence reflects her belief in the quiet, transformative power of animals and nature.
Patrica Ford
Board Treasure & CFO
Meet Patricia Ford (Patti), our newly appointed Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer at Veterans Rescue Ranch. Patti’s journey to this role is a testament to her unwavering dedication to service, community, and financial excellence.
A Veteran with a Mission: Patti is a U.S. Army veteran whose life and career have been shaped by her commitment to supporting others. Born and raised in small-town Nebraska, she cultivated values of hard work, integrity, and community that continue to guide her today. After completing her education and training in Lincoln, NE, she worked in CPA firms before establishing her own bookkeeping and tax preparation business, Keep-On-Booking, in 2020. In early 2023, she and her family relocated to Cotopaxi, CO, where she found inspiration in the mountains and the opportunity to make a greater impact in the veteran community.
Professional Expertise: Patti’s firm, Keep-On-Booking, has provided outstanding bookkeeping and tax services to small businesses and nonprofit organizations, including Veterans Rescue Ranch. Over the past year, her meticulous attention to detail and financial acumen have been instrumental in maintaining the Ranch’s financial integrity. As Board Treasurer, Patti will oversee our financial affairs, ensure compliance with nonprofit financial regulations, and guide the development of our annual budget. Her role as CFO will evolve as our organization grows, with a shared goal of expanding services without compromising financial stability.
A Passion for Veterans: As a veteran, Patti understands the unique challenges faced by the military community. Her personal connection to the veteran experience fuels her passion for our mission. By combining her professional expertise with her heartfelt dedication, Patti is helping ensure that Veterans Rescue Ranch remains a place where veterans and their families can find healing, connection, and purpose.
A Shared Vision: Patti shares our vision of creating innovative programs that emphasize connection, trust, and personal growth. Her leadership and commitment are integral to the success of our mission. She brings not only a wealth of financial knowledge but also a deep sense of compassion and a strong belief in the transformative power of our work.
Join Us in Welcoming Patti: We are honored to have Patti as part of our team. Her expertise, vision, and dedication will undoubtedly strengthen Veterans Rescue Ranch as we continue to grow and serve veterans and their families. Please join us in welcoming Patti to our leadership team.
Geoffrey (Geoff) Schram
Board Vice-President, Board Secretary, COO & CTO
Co-Founder | Army Veteran | Visionary Leader
Geoff Schram is the Co-Founder and a cornerstone of Veterans Rescue Ranch, where he serves as the Board Vice-President, Board Secretary, Chief Operations Officer (COO), and Chief Technology Officer (CTO). His leadership, technical expertise, and personal experiences drive the Ranch’s mission to heal invisible wounds and provide a sanctuary for veterans and animals alike.
About Geoff: Geoff is a proud Army veteran whose service in Afghanistan and Iraq has shaped his unwavering dedication to supporting fellow veterans. As a disabled veteran, he has faced and overcome his own battles with PTSD and is a suicide survivor. These experiences fuel his profound empathy and determination to create innovative programs that facilitate recovery and resilience for others.
Leadership and Vision: Geoff’s leadership at Veterans Rescue Ranch is rooted in his unique ability to integrate technology with therapeutic practices. As COO and CTO, he ensures that the Ranch’s operations are efficient, modern, and impactful. From designing state-of-the-art programs to managing daily operations, Geoff’s innovative approach keeps the Ranch at the forefront of healing initiatives for veterans.
A Personal Connection: Often seen with Ace, his ADA service dog trained for PTSD support, Geoff embodies the healing power of human-animal connections. Ace serves as his steadfast companion and right-hand “man,” underscoring the Ranch’s mission to leverage the love and resilience animals offer to support veterans on their healing journey.
Professional Expertise: As a technologist and engineer, Geoff combines his technical expertise with a passion for rehabilitation. His efforts ensure that Veterans Rescue Ranch not only provides transformative emotional experiences but also operates with the utmost efficiency and innovation.
Military and Community Engagement: Geoff’s commitment to the veteran community extends beyond the Ranch. He is the Jr. Vice Commander of VFW Post 12063, where he plays an active role in supporting veterans through various initiatives. His dedication to advocacy and support strengthens the Ranch’s mission and its connection to the broader veteran network.
A Beacon of Hope: Geoff’s life and work exemplify the core mission of Veterans Rescue Ranch: to mend the invisible wounds of war. His resilience, dedication, and innovative approach continue to enrich the lives of many, making him a leader and an inspiration within the veteran community.
Lisa Reid
Board Member
Chief Animal Rescue and Care Advisor | Co-Founder of Double L Franch
Lisa Reid serves as the Chief Animal Rescue and Care Advisor for Veterans Rescue Ranch, bringing her extensive experience and passion for animal welfare to the organization. As a co-founder and co-owner of Double L Franch, an animal rescue ranch in New Jersey, Lisa is dedicated to creating a safe and nurturing environment for rescued animals while supporting the Ranch’s mission to aid veterans.
A Lifelong Commitment to Animals: Lisa’s journey into animal rescue began early in life and culminated in the establishment of Double L Franch, a sanctuary for animals in need. Her expertise in animal care and rescue plays a pivotal role at Veterans Rescue Ranch, where her guidance ensures the well-being of the Ranch’s animals and strengthens the connection between animals and veterans.
Professional Background: Originally from Louisiana and Ohio, Lisa moved to Bridgewater, NJ, at the age of 7. She went on to build a successful 20-year career with a global consumer goods company in Ohio. In 2020, she retired and returned to New Jersey to pursue her lifelong passion for animal rescue, founding Double L Franch to provide refuge and care for animals.
A Partner in Healing: Lisa’s work at Veterans Rescue Ranch reflects her belief in the healing power of animals. Her efforts to create a nurturing environment for rescue animals directly support the Ranch’s mission to provide transformative experiences for veterans. Her expertise and compassion are instrumental in fostering the strong bonds between veterans and animals that drive the Ranch’s programs.
Rooted in Community: Lisa’s dedication to animal welfare and her deep commitment to service make her a vital part of the Veterans Rescue Ranch team. Her work exemplifies the Ranch’s core values of care, connection, and healing for both veterans and animals.
Charles Bogle
Board Member
U.S. Army Veteran | Distinguished Aviator | Community Leader
Charles Bogle brings a lifetime of distinguished service and leadership to Veterans Rescue Ranch as a valued member of the Board of Directors. His extensive military and professional careers, coupled with his commitment to community development, make him an invaluable asset to the Ranch’s mission of empowering and healing veterans.
Military Service: Colonel Charles Bogle is a proud U.S. Army veteran with a 30-year military career, including service as a Combat Army Aviator in Vietnam. A graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff School, he has earned numerous military service medals, including the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross. His decorated military career reflects his unwavering commitment to duty, honor, and service to his country.
Professional Career: Following his retirement from the military, Charles built an impressive career in engineering and program management. He held leadership roles in Ground Test Engineering Production Operations and Program Management at General Dynamics. As Manager of the F-111 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) program for Lockheed Martin, he further demonstrated his exceptional skills in leadership, coordination, and innovation.
Community Leadership: Charles continues to serve and lead in his community. As President of the Custer County Economic Development Council, he champions initiatives that drive growth and sustainability in the region. Additionally, as a Community Partner Program Advisor for Solvista Behavioral Health, he supports programs that improve the well-being of local residents.
A Visionary for Veterans: Charles’s dedication to serving veterans extends beyond his own military service. At Veterans Rescue Ranch, he leverages his extensive leadership experience to help create programs that foster connection, healing, and growth for veterans and their families. His steadfast commitment to the Ranch’s mission exemplifies the spirit of service and resilience that defines the veteran community.
