Jackie Kaschel Nominated for the Traverse City Record-Eagle's Influential Women of Northern Michigan

Jackie Kaschel

Executive Director and Co-founder of Peace Ranch

Who and/or what is your inspiration/motivator.

My inspiration is the profound ministry of rescue, rehabilitation, and restoration that occurred first in my own life. I was orphaned at birth, and adopted. The only child of parents who divorced when I was ten. I experienced neglect and abuse in and out of my home. I started using alcohol and drugs at age 12 through 22 — my addiction lasted several years, the last 5 on heroin. After many failed attempts at recovery, including drug and psychiatric inpatient programs, I was rescued through a life changing experience with God. I found peace and recovery in a natural, farm based program. After graduation I got married and earned a master’s degree in counseling. In 1995 we adopted 3 children through with significant trauma. They struggled greatly and though we sought help, there were no therapy options available that really helped. We moved to the country and developed the ranch with horses hoping our children could find peace and recovery on the farm. Our experiences with our children and working with traumatized horses led us to envision a trauma therapy center which harnessed the parallel process of rescue, rehabilitation, and recovery for horses and humans.