My own personal account. I adopted a horse from Julie D and kept the horse for just under 5 years. Due to my own physical issues I needed to downsize and make a very difficult decision between keeping the adopted horse and another horse I had who had nowhere else to go to safely. Based on Julie D telling me the adopted horse would stay at her facility because of issues the horse had, I believed Julie and took the horse back to her. Very sadly, I recently learned that I had been lied to and that the horse I had given back to the rescue was then sold off after just a few months. Never again would I believe or trust Julie D.
Dreamcatchers is a one in a million horse rescue and also serves as a sanctuary for several older horses. The heart of this rescue is incomparable. The work they do to save and rehabilitate equines is absolutely priceless. Heaven on earth!
Review from Guidestar
A little over two years ago my parents decided to check out a small donation they had made to Dreamcatchers. While there they found a horse they wanted to adopt. While considering this adoption they asked me if something were to happen to them would I consider taking care of him. I have loved horses as far back as I can remember. So I instantly said, "Yes, but I want to meet him." We made plans to go out there the next day. Although General was not my type of horse, he matched them perfectly. While there Julie offered to show my husband, son and myself the place. We had no intention upon going out there to adopt a horse.
I was thoroughly impressed by her. She knew every horse by name, their story, whether they were up for adoption or not. On the way back from the pasture the last horse she showed us was Bella. A beautiful white and brown paint who was used as a brood mare and had never had a bond with anyone. To this day I can remember the very first time I laid eyes on her. My husband said he saw sparks fly between Bella and I. We adopted her the very next day. Although we had a rocky start with her, she is my saving grace and an angel in disguise as a horse.
Many years ago we lost a son to cancer. Although I love my two others sons with everything I have, there has always been a whole in my soul for the son that is gone. I also have bipolar disorder, PTSD and anxiety disorder. The PTSD is from the battle my son went though with cancer during his short life of 10 years. Thanks to Bella and her bond with me, I only take half doses of my meds. I know this may sound crazy, but that beautiful horse with her beautiful soul has made me human again. I have been able to tell her everything in my heart and soul and know she won't tell anyone else. When I ride her, I feel free, whole and connected again.
Six months later we met and fell in love with another one of Julie's babies. His name is T-Bone. He is totally blind in his right eye, but we don't care. He is sweet, funny and very lovable. We adopted him on our 28th wedding anniversary. A little over a month ago we adopted a third horse named Travis. This makes our family complete.
Over the years of boarding our horses at Dreamcatchers, I have watched the love, care and compassion of the people there. I have watched them care for sick horses, malnutritioned horses and injured horses. Under their care I have seen these horses improve, bloom, heal and find their forever homes. These people are angels to those horses, just like Bella is an angel to me.
Review from Guidestar
In just one day, tagging along with Julie as she worked from sun up to sun down for the animals, I accompanied her as she did her morning feeding of all the animals in and around the barns, including a half dozen retired senior horses that she is giving a good life for the rest of their lives. I accompanied her as she bought feed for those senior lifetime residents. I watched her lift 50 pound bags of feed into a well stocked barn full of specialty feeds and listened to her describe which 'old fart' got which mixture while she mixed up buckets for their differing diets, adding water to each bucket so they could soak, soften and be ready for the evening meal. I helped her to toss hay out to the pasture horses, and she walked along the horses checking on their condition. There was one horse with a puncture wound, likely from barbed wire that had dry blood down its front leg. Julie immediately got a halter and brought it to the barns so she could clean and assess the wound. She cleaned and sterilized the wound, called the owner to advise them of the injury, took and sent cell phone photos to the owner so they could be assured and informed. We spent time with pens of mama's and babies that were rescued from feed lots, fed goats and burros and a little mini horse named Paddington. In between all this we filled water troughs, she took time to talk to people who board horses there, had a meeting with someone interested in adopting a horse. Then , it was evening and she did the entire feeding routine all over again.
Julie knew every horse by name and they knew her. They were not so much interested in food as they were to follow Julie around like she was the pied piper, and all drinking up the scratches and petting she provided. Julie and Paul are there 24/7 for the horses most all of the time and they appreciate any volunteers, whose assistance is so much needed and appreciated by Julie and by the horses, who crave any attention they can get.
Review from Guidestar
Two years ago my wife and I visited this wonderful place for the first time. We didn't know what to expect, but being horse lovers we couldn't stay away. It changed our lives forever. The following weekend we adopted our first equine friend. He has become a wonderful part of our family. Shortly after our daughter and her husband adopted their first. Between our two families we now have five horses. Dream Catchers is powered by wonderful folks who give of their love so that these beautiful equines can live a life of dignity with a big assist from love and kindness. It is a place where we know our horses will be watched over and loved. Wonderful place and wonderful caring folks abound. Richard and Carol Jeffery
Review from Guidestar
Dreamcatchers Equine Rescue is a wonderful place, and this is coming from a person who spends A LOT of time there. I have adopted one of the rescues (one of the best things that has ever happened to me), and I started training horses for the rescue this year. Out of experience, I can say that Julie picks the people she allows to work with the horses very carefully. She made sure that I know exactly what to do and look out for when working with the rescue horses, even though I have been riding and working with horses since I was little. She puts the horses' welfare before anything, and all of the rescues receive care specific to their needs. Every single skinny horse that comes to the rescue gains weight within days. Julie saves and heals the horses that most people would give up on, and I am very grateful for that. I board my own horse at the rescue, since I know that Julie takes such good care of the horses. If I cannot be down there for a few days, I do not need to worry about my horse being fed and healthy because she always has an eye on him and the others. My nieces (3&5 years old) love visiting the ranch, where they get to ride my horse and pet the donkeys, goats, and the other rescue horses.
Review from Guidestar
I've call Dreamcatchers my second home for almost 5 years now! I have 3 horses there and I know they are in good hands at all times. Paul and Julie are amazing people who always make the horses their #1 priority. This is a family atmosphere where everyone is treated as such. We go on on rides together on and off the property, get together for events, and of course give each other a hard time all in fun as family does! The horses that are rescued by Dreamcatchers are immediately cared for and then assessed before they find their forever homes. I'm so thankful for Dreamcatchers, Julie, our amazing volunteers, and every person who also calls this place their second home! Without Julie and Dreamcatchers I wouldn't have found the 3 best things that have happen to me! My horses are my world and I love them so much and wouldn't trust any other place besides Dreamcatchers! There are days days I just can't make it down there but I'm not worried, I know they are safe and in good hands! I can always count on Paul and Julie. .. If I need anything, they are just a phone call call away!
Review from Guidestar
Over the course of a year I witnessed healthy horses reduced to body scores of one, horses donated to the rescue and immediately flipped for profit, novice riders and volunteers completely new to horses handling unsafe horses, once grassy pastures stripped of everything edible and complete disregard for the horses kept out of the public eye.
Julie D's personal horses were kept sleek and healthy on donated feed. There was a foal born on the property out of an aged rescue mare and by a stallion kept in sub-par fencing next to her pasture. The breeding took place while in the care of the rescue.
Sick, underweight horses were turned out in the overgrazed pasture to fend for themselves.
This rescue needs to be investigated, exposed and shut down.
I have to apologize for my prior review about this organization. I was not aware of the unethical behavior and illegal activity at the time. I have been treated unfairly, bullied, lied to and about, threatened, and witnessed mistreatment of horses by the owner since then. Reconsider donating anything to this organization.
Review from Guidestar
Previous Stories
The amazing transformation these rescue horses go through after arriving at DreamCatchers speaks for itself. They are all loved and cared for like family. It really is all about the horses. So many times I have seen a horse that looked like he/she wasn't going to survive when they arrived but Julie knows exactly what she is doing and these horses go on to thrive. Julie is a master of matching a horse with it's person too. Visit them just once and you will be hooked!! I have 2 rescue horses that I adopted from DreamCatchers. The love they give and create is beyond words. The rescue is inspiring and life changing. You have to see it for yourself. You won't be disappointed. Make sure to visit the 'old farts' barn too!!
Review from Guidestar
Julie D indulges in unethical behavior toward people and illegal activity as a non profit. She uses bullying and threats toward volunteers and boarders to protect her secrets under the guilt trip that no one can do anything about it or it will ultimately affect the horses. Grant monies are obtained for gambling and other use. Volunteers are used to obtain these grants and given a percentage of the money to encourage them to get more. Restricted grants are not used for intended purposes (water pumps were not fixed, fencing was not fixed, windmill was not installed but the money is gone) An eBay store was established using $13000 worth of donated items to try and 'replace' those funds but she continues to recklessly spend that money. She also operates a boarding facility and records the income as donations under her non profit status. I am embarrassed that I spent so much time promoting this unethical non profit through social media and I apologize to anyone who donated money due to my volunteer efforts.
Review from Guidestar
My family and I became involved with DCER about 2 years ago. Instantly this wonderful place became our addiction. Since Nov. 2011 we have adopted 3 horses whom we are all completely in love with. Julie believes in the relationship 100% between horse and human. I brought a friend to DCER whom ended up adopting 3 horses as well and sponsors another one. "its all about the horses" I have to be a bit selfish with this though, since adopting our boys they have really helped us, we consider them our therapists. They turn a bad day into a great one instantly. We have DCER and Julie to thank for bringing us to them!!!
I have never met a more dedicated group of people, they believe that every horse deserves a chance at a dignified and comfortable life. They do everything within their power to rescue abused, neglected, starving horses. They rehabilitate and retrain those horses that have the potential to be adopted into loving forever homes. Those horses that can not be adopted due to health issues or just plain age have become permanent residents and will live out the rest of their days with dignity and love. Please donate to this selfless organization, your money all goes directly to the care and feeding of these special creatures.