The Heart of Image of Hope Ranch
Founded by the Shank family in 2017, Image of Hope Ranch was born from a simple belief that every person deserves to be seen, valued, and given the opportunity to grow. Rooted in faith and guided by the love of Christ, our ranch is a place where individuals and families from all backgrounds and beliefs are welcomed with compassion, dignity, and hope. Through meaningful relationships with horses, animals, nature, and caring mentors, we create opportunities for connection, healing, and personal growth. We recognize that lasting change begins with relationships built on trust, safety, and belonging.
Today, our mission extends beyond helping individuals overcome challenges. We are committed to strengthening families, restoring relationships, and equipping people with the tools to build healthier, more connected lives. At Image of Hope Ranch, we believe hope grows through connection, and every life has value and purpose.
Our Team
Alisha Shank
Alisha Shank leads with a deep commitment to faith, meaningful relationships, and the belief that every individual has God-given value and purpose.
As Alisha witnessed the positive changes taking place through relationships with horses and caring mentors, she became curious about the science behind what she was seeing. She knew these experiences were making a difference, but she wanted to better understand why. That curiosity led her to pursue specialized education through the Natural Lifemanship Institute, where she completed Level One training in Trauma-Informed Equine Assisted Services, along with additional coursework in trauma, nervous system regulation, and relational connection.
This education deepened her understanding of how safety, trust, and connection influence the brain, body, and relationships. Today, that knowledge helps shape Image of Hope Ranch's approach to supporting individuals and strengthening families.
Guided by her faith in Christ, Alisha is passionate about helping others look beyond behaviors, recognize the needs beneath the surface, and discover how meaningful relationships can create opportunities for healing, growth, and restoration.
Founder/Executive Director
Michelle Fox
Michelle began volunteering at Image of Hope Ranch in 2019, searching for something she couldn't quite name. What she discovered was a place of peace, joy, connection, and belonging that would become an important part of her life.
What began as volunteering grew into a deep commitment to the ministry. Over the years, Michelle has served in many ways, from mentoring participants and planning events to supporting daily operations. She also takes great pride in caring for the beauty of the ranch, helping create a peaceful and welcoming environment where individuals and families feel valued from the moment they arrive.
Michelle has a genuine heart for Image of Hope and the people who come through its doors. Her dedication extends beyond the work she does; it is reflected in the love, care, and attention she brings to everything she touches. The ranch has become a special place for her family as well, with her husband serving alongside her and sharing in a mission that has brought so much meaning to their lives.
Volunteer Coordinator
Kelsie Perez
Kelsie's journey with Image of Hope Ranch began as a young participant in the equine program. As her confidence and love for horses grew, she transitioned into the Journeys leadership program, where she continued developing her skills, independence, and sense of purpose.
What began as a place for personal growth eventually became an opportunity to give back. Through dedication, hard work, and a genuine love for the horses, Kelsie grew into a valued member of the ranch's staff.
Kelsie has earned certifications in PEMF Therapy, Equine Massage Therapy, Kinesiology, and Thermal Imaging. She plays an important role in maintaining the horses' physical well-being, using her specialized training to support their comfort, mobility, and overall care. Her attentive and compassionate approach helps ensure the horses remain healthy and comfortable in the work they do alongside participants.
Kelsie's journey reflects the heart of Image of Hope Ranch—where individuals are encouraged to discover their abilities, develop meaningful skills, and recognize the value and purpose they bring to others.
Equine Care & Physical Wellness Specialist
Alex Shank
Alex Shank, Co-Founder, Barn Manager, and Board Secretary of Image of Hope Ranch, brings a strong faith, compassionate heart, and remarkable intuition with horses to the ministry.
With a natural ability to recognize the needs of both horses and people, Alex understands the importance of trust, patience, and connection. Her attentiveness to the animals and their well-being helps create an environment where horses can thrive and meaningful relationships can develop.
As Barn Manager, Alex oversees the daily care and well-being of the ranch's horses and barn operations, recognizing that healthy, well-cared-for animals are essential to the work of the ministry. In her role as Board Secretary, she also contributes to the leadership and stewardship of Image of Hope Ranch.
Alex has a genuine heart for both the animals and the people who come to the ranch. Through her quiet compassion, dedication, and faith, she helps make Image of Hope a place where individuals feel safe, valued, and connected, and where Christ's love is demonstrated through meaningful relationships.
Co-Founder/Barn Manager/Board Secretary
Randy Shank
Randy serves with a strong faith, a servant's heart, and a deep commitment to the ministry's mission. Through his hands-on care of the land, facilities, and animals, Randy helps create an environment where individuals and families can experience safety, connection, and belonging. His steady presence, practical skills, and willingness to serve are essential to the daily operations of the ranch.
Randy recognizes that the work of restoration extends beyond the programs themselves. Every well-maintained space, cared-for animal, and welcoming environment contributes to the experiences of those who come to Image of Hope Ranch.
Randy sees his work at Image of Hope Ranch as an opportunity to serve God by serving others. He is committed to being a faithful steward of the land, animals, and resources entrusted to the ministry, helping ensure the ranch remains a place where relationships are strengthened, hope is nurtured, and lives are impacted.
Founder/Facility Manager
Our Board
Our Board of Directors brings together diverse experience, shared faith, and a deep commitment to the mission of Image of Hope Ranch. They provide prayerful leadership, accountability, and strategic guidance to ensure the Ranch continues to serve with integrity and purpose
McKenna Clifford, President
Pastor Ryan Koch, Vice-President
Teri Williams, Treasurer
Alex Shank, Secretary
Jan Landrum Devin Bolen
Our Herd
At Image of Hope Ranch, our horses are more than part of our programs—they are valued partners in the relationships and experiences that make growth and healing possible.
Horses have a remarkable ability to respond to what is happening around them, often noticing things we may not recognize in ourselves. Through their honest responses and natural desire for safety and connection, they create opportunities for individuals to develop trust, emotional awareness, confidence, and healthy relationships.
Each horse brings its own personality, experiences, strengths, and needs. Some have overcome difficult circumstances, while others have spent their lives working alongside people. Just like us, each has a story worth knowing and a unique way of connecting with others.
At Image of Hope, we believe relationships are built on mutual trust, respect, and choice. Our horses are not simply here to help people grow; their well-being matters just as much.
We invite you to meet the horses who make Image of Hope Ranch such a special place.