Story/Faculty
FRIENDSHIP RANCH was formed as an outdoor learning space to interact with farm animals and learn to handle new experiences.
Our outdoor learning space will include
- Animal encounters
- TRAP Learning (drums)
- Friendship Circle
- Sensory Games/ Brain Gym
- Cooperative Team Play
FRIENDSHIP RANCH works with many individuals and organizations to rescue the animals that we work with.
Mission
While connecting with nature and inter-species animals in a safe and nurturing environment participants will learn how to transfer these experiences to interpersonal relationships.
Debbie Braun, Owner
Just me : Free to Be
I am the owner/operator of The Goddard School in Crabapple for the last 15 years. My joy comes from teaching children through new experiences and building their love of learning through hands on exploration.
Friendship Ranch is the natural outcome of learning by doing and my love of children and animals. Our tag line "Making Friends Through Farm Experiences" captures the essence of why we exist. I also enjoy working with several animals rescues in the area where our animals come from and we contribute a % of our registrations.
Sue Lukashevich
Sue Lukashevich is a life-long lover of all things horse who first started riding back when she was just 7. In her early days she successfully campaigned Hunters and Jumpers, showed Saddle-Seat Riding and drove Road Ponies.
Later she discovered polo and ultimately became the lead riding instructor at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center. She taught and played with the Celebrity Polo Team. Sue has taught hundreds of students to understand and respect their horses and to love the game of polo. She is currently a USPA Certified Polo Umpire and Polo Instructor.
While still in California, Sue also wrangled horses for television and movie productions.
Sue has extensively studied and trained with master horsemen, Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Monty Roberts, Pat and Linda Parelli.
She’s an accomplished and recognized Horse Whisperer who believes that many “horse problems” are really “people problems.”
Sue will help you create a true partnership with your horse and can teach you to “speak horse” too …”
Nina Braun
Attends UGA - Agr Business Major
Social Coordinator for UGA Eventing Team
Competed thru 3rd level dressage with a 17
Dressage championships and AEC's - 13th place finish for the US southeast
Intern teacher at The Goddard School
Amanda Statton
I am a mom of seven children, have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, certification as a Laughter Yoga instructor, and believer that play, laughter and curiosity can change our brains at any age leading to a happy healthier world.
As a mother I have watched firsthand how my kids have uniquely benefitted from FRM in the following ways: strengthened motor skills, improved balance and coordination, social skills, memory and confidence; positive mood regulation, peer group opportunities, increased confidence, expressive language, and leadership skills.
I love sharing Laughter Yoga to all ages. We have all felt the health benefits of laughter as our bodies produce happy hormones which destress and calm our nervous system. The practice of Laughter Yoga in group reminds us that we can harness the benefits of play, creativity, and laughter any time we want and share it with the world.
I am excited to be heading up the development of the non profit side of FRM. Funding from generous community donors will provide scholarships for Barn Management and Natural Horseman Certification Programs which provide neurodivergent individuals successful employment. Funds will also help underserved populations have access to all the benefits of FRM and be used to lighten the financial load of Special Needs schools by offering increased opportunities for field trips and play groups at the ranch. Tax exempt donations will be used to help train additional animals and build a weather proof covered area for students and animals.
Tasha Merrill
While working on a dissertation in graduate school, Tasha got a job with a dog trainer, at a dog daycare and training center. She never looked back, apprenticing under the dog trainer for the next three years.
She taught people and their dogs for the next 20+ years, while competing in Agility. After moving back to the Atlanta area in 2016, she started taking natural horsemanship lessons and adopted two horses from the local rescue in 2017.
She recently has adopted her third horse, and is looking forward to training him in natural horsemanship. Tasha lives in Canton with her husband and ninth grade son.
Lynn Sandberg
Over the past ten years, I have spent many happy hours in the company of horses, not only as a rider and a care taker, but also as a volunteer for several therapeutic horseback riding and hippotherapy programs. As a participant in these therapy programs, I have witnessed the many benefits of equine-assisted learning.
In my life away from the barn, I pursue several creative interests in the theater and photo studio. It’s excitiing to have a chance to combine my creativity energies and love of horses with Friendship Ranch’s innovative equine- and animal-assisted lessons.
Rehab Refaei, Educational Specialist
My name is Rehab Refaei. I am an education specialist. I worked as math instructional coach, and testing coordinator at Gwinnett County public schools system for over seven years. My job included supporting teachers, students, parents, and administrators. Recently, I work at Fulton County school system . I enjoy working with teachers and students. I earned my M.Ed., and my Specialist in Elementary education. Currently, I am pursuing my doctorate in education.
I am also a professional artist who use a variety of materials and mediums to create visual daydreams that transport myself and my viewers into a relaxed and contemplative state where ambiguity is not only welcomed, but encouraged. I enjoy teaching my students creativity and basic elements of art. Over the years, I have spent a great deal of time experimenting with art materials and teaching my students to connect with nature and create their own view.
Curriculum Experts
Laurie K. Botstein Speech-Language Pathologist
My name is Laurie Botstein. I am a specialist in providing therapy to persons with mild to high level impairments in the areas of oral, written and auditory communication and cognitive behavior.
My overall objective as a speech-language pathologist is to optimize an individual’s ability to communicate, thereby improving the quality of life. My therapeutic experience includes a language, articulation, oral-motor, auditory processing disorders, fluency, and improving reading and math skills.
Peership Interns
“Sassy” Alden
I have been riding for 13 years, I have two horses named Arco and Kylo. I love horses because they are such powerful yet kind patient animals, who are willing to work with us and teach us new things about ourselves that we could have never known without them.
Dani Reed
Growing up, I was terrified of animals, but working with these gentle giants helped me overcome that fear. My equestrian journey began in the fall of 2013 when I was 7. I started learning natural horsemanship and English-style riding at Chukkar Farm Polo Club with Sue and a fantastic pony, Georgie. Years later I got thrown into the sport of polo, and I immediately fell in love with the discipline. In 2019 my parents surprised me with my heart horse, Cheetah, for my 13th birthday after she had been my lesson pony for years. Spending time with animals is so amazing; it makes me very happy. I truly belong with the animals as they have the most special place in my heart! I am trilled to continue my equestrian journey at Friendship Ranch and am so excited to pass down all my horsey knowledge to these incredible kids!
Junior Peership Interns
Matthew Naughton
Matthew Naughton has worked at Friendship Ranch for a year and has obtained his Barn Management Certification. Matthew will now move on to Horse Handling in our Peership Program while helping others to learn and grow. Matthew is a senior at Milton High School and also an active member of their award winning band program.
