About us

Maureen

She can’t remember when she was not on a horse growing up helping out on the cattle ranch, 4-H horse shows, high school rodeo, and amateur horse racing in the summers. She moved from the W. Nebraska area to Lincoln but kept horses for pleasure and some instruction. She was introduced to Christina Gotschall and the Windsong Equitherapy in 2020, and began a whole new field of knowledge regarding horses. In 2022, Maureen had the opportunity to attend the Crystal Peaks Youth Ranch Ignition in Bend, OR. It was here that Shoulder to Shoulder Ranch was born through the bible verse in Zephaniah 3:9 “…and they will call upon His Name and serve Him Shoulder to shoulder”. This is the very center of the Ministry. Maureen had presented this vision as well as the Mission Statement and Core Values to the newly formed board of directors. Shoulder to Shoulder Ranch became a reality in 2023.

Bruce

President of the Shoulder to Shoulder Ranch board of directors and visionary for Prairie Creek Inn, the location of S2S. (Bruce moved the house in 2003, opened the B and B in 2010, restored the barn in 2014 and moved in the depot in 2019. In 2022 he built the covered arena). He had very little horse experience but enjoyed a ride or two with his wife. In 2024 he became a volunteer for S2S as a side walker for 2 adult riders and has grown in his horsemanship skills as well as his love for helping the riders and families. He is the facility manager that adapts skills to the needs of the place.

Our Heart

Mission Statement: Shoulder to Shoulder (S2S) Ranch exists to provide high quality equine assisted activities and emotional therapy utilizing horses as the instrument of the ministry.

Vision Statement: Each person that engages in the therapies at S2S Ranch will experience help and hope as they receive individualized equine assisted instruction, encouragement, and care as staff members serve them.

Leading a boy in grooming a horse on it's side.

Core Values

Teach

Certified staff members will teach equine assisted activities and therapy to students with varying intellectual, physical, spiritual, and emotional needs.

Train

Staff will train volunteers for all aspects of assisted riding, serving individuals, helping staff with on-going needs of the ministry such as chores, maintenance of the grounds, and other opportunities.

Tie

Through raising awareness of increasing needs of persons with intellectual, physical, emotional, behavioral, and spiritual challenges, a community of individuals, organizations and churches will have an opportunity to support and encourage the sustainment of S2S Ranch.

Touch

The overall priority of each session or experience is to bring the love and hope of Jesus Christ for encouragement to individuals through various tools such as: modeling positive behavior, certified instruction, and edifying encouragement as staff walks shoulder to shoulder serving God and serving participants in the process.

History

1997 – Planting the Seeds

Sue and Denny Stelzer found their acreage unexpectedly quiet after their children, who had grown up showing horses, moved away. Sue, a special education teacher with Lincoln Public Schools, discovered Dream Catchers, an emerging equine therapy program. Recognizing its potential for the special needs students she had dedicated her career to, Sue and Denny invited Dream Catchers to use their land and horses, giving them a new mission of service.

2004 – Honoring Windsong

When Windsong, one of the original therapy horses, passed away in July 2004, to honor his legacy, the program was reorganized and renamed in his memory. Windsong, a remarkable Arabian, had exemplified adaptability, strength, and dedication—qualities that marked the program’s mission.

2008 – Becoming a Non-Profit

With a commitment to expanding its impact, Windsong Equitherapy became a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2008. This milestone ensured the program could continue providing equine-assisted services to individuals with special needs, reinforcing the values of flexibility and individualized support that Windsong had embodied.

Today – Shoulder to Shoulder Ranch

Built on the foundations of compassion, service, and equine partnership, Shoulder to Shoulder Ranch carries forward the legacy of Windsong and the Stelzer family’s vision. Just as Windsong once adapted to meet each rider’s unique needs, the ranch continues to offer healing, growth, and transformation through equine-assisted activities.

Join us in walking Shoulder to Shoulder with families.

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