2022 National American Legion Auxiliary Public Spirit Award Winner
DTOM 22/0 Foundation & Veterans Ranch
For assistance email Chris@dtom220.org, text @ 605-252-2042 or call us at 605-725-3866.
DTOM Foundation and Ranch news
March 2026
Reminder, due to the economic downturn and inflation resulting in a steep decline in donations, we unfortunately had to sell the Warner, SD Location, it was that or we had to discontinue helping our Veterans. Reminiscing, what a great location that we built from the ground up with YOUR help, we made such a difference in so many lives, it is sadly missed everyday.
Moving onward we had an absolutely amazing 2025 therapy season at El Mo Mar Ranch in Aberdeen, SD. We will be celebrated our 9 year anniversary in March 15, 2026 and we have now completed thousands of equine sessions all at no cost to our Veterans as promised. Our mission to serve continues everyday with equine, beef/food, vehicles, service dogs and our annual Veterans Pheasant Hunt.
We still have not received a dollar from Federal, VA or State taxpayer dollars, it is only successful due to the gracious generosity of our supporters! We continue to fight because of the successes we see every day with conditions from PTSD, TBI, Parkinson's, Dementia and to include any Neurological condition as well as Autism. To say it is a blessing to see the results firsthand everyday is truly an understatement. It has been a great season partnering with Riding Peace Sensory and they are standing by to help all those in need in the Aberdeen area. When we look back to when we were the 4th Ranch Nationwide doing the Draper Sensory Method and now there are 3 in SD alone, now we can confidently shift our focus to adding more, what an incredible journey.
The 2026 therapy season will be kicking off in April (weather depending) available by appointment 5 days a week at the Bagley, MN Location, where we will be able to offer services from Murphy AND Booker. This groundbreaking therapy still consists of riding specifically trained horses, facing backwards, to "reset" the brain, repair neuropathways and giving Hope again for Veterans dealing with theses detrimental effects. For Veterans sign up is easy, all the you need to do is email Chris@dtom220.org or call 605-725-DTOM(3866) or text 605-252-2042.
The 4th Annual Veterans Pheasant Hunt at Hills View Hunts was one for the ages. The expanded roster of 40 Veterans from states across the Nation, and a sailor from Japan descended on South Dakota and showed their military sharpshooting......ok some of them did! The dinner the night before was so memorable and the hunt was truly unforgettable. Our poster online hit 23,000 views in a week! Thank you to the amazing sponsors that made it happen, what a success.
In the DTOM Veteran Food Program news, we traveled to speak at the Save the Cowboy 10 Year Anniversary Gala in Kiowa, CO. STC and The Long X Ranch Cowboys were the inspiration for our beef ministry, we can't be more proud to follow this Ministry and to expand it with their help. Not only did the Long X Ranch Cowboys and Save the Cowboy donate a freezer full of roasts, steaks and burger but they also donated two heifers to add to our herd to feed more Veterans!
Last fall we birthed our first bull "Uno" within our cattle herd and this spring was born "Hope" our first heifer. Thanks to an amazing donation of 1/2 a beef this spring we were able to hold off on taking "Tim" to be processed, giving him more time for growth. He now will go to the processor March 19th. If you are a Veteran in need for food, reach out, many churches have joined our fight and with fresh beef it is such a blessing.
We are working closely with The Warrior and Working Animal Foundation and the Colina Canine Center in Antioquia, Rio Nego, Colombia on a service dog program. Our first service dog Cairo flew to the US with me to his forever home at the Ranch in January and has been on tour meeting everyone.
As always ALL of our Veteran Services are at no cost to our Veterans who have sacrificed everything. Thank you for your interest and continued support of the program, lets go help some people together!
5th Annual DTOM/Hills View Hunts Pheasant Hunt
2025 DTOM Award Winners
Organization of the Year
Pheasants Forever Chapter of Northern South Dakota
Most Impact Award
Columbia Congregational UCC Columbia, SD
"Friend of Max" Award
Agtegra
Veteran of the Year
Shannon Wright Aberdeen, SD
long X Ranch cowboys and save the cowboy donate 2 heifers to
On Easter the Long X Ranch Cowboys and Save the Cowboy Ministry donated 2 heifers from their herd to add to the DTOM herd to continue to feed Veterans in need. What an incredible blessing!
Beef and pork available now!
We received our beef back from the processor, weighing in at 634 pounds. Headwaters Processing in Bagley, MN wanted to help our Veterans so they donated a processed hog to add to the total. If you are a Veteran in need, reach out, no red tape, no hoops, just meat at no cost.
4th Annual DTOM/Hills View Hunts Veterans Pheasant Hunt
On November 12, 2025, 40 selected Veterans boarded the Aberdeen Wings Charter Bus and headed west to Hills View Hunts in Eureka, SD. The comraderie was second to none and there were so many birds, both groups had limited out in under 3 hours. The food was amazing, thank you to all involved.
2025 DTom Veterans Christmas Food Boxes
The Thanksgiving boxes were all successfully delivered, albeit in a blizzard but we were able to feed so many Veteran Families. We delivered Christmas Food boxes to as many Veteran Families as signed up. Mission Accomplished!
Summit animal health and Colina canine center team up
How it all happened
As many of you know we lost our precious service dog Nikita to health issues several years ago. Enter Summit Animal Health, who has been a fantastic partner of DTOM for many years. They called and said in a collaboration with Warriors and Working Animals Foundation they covered ALL expenses for a service dog they had for us who was being trained at Colina Canine Center in Rio Negro, Colombia. I have been fortunate to have trained in person with Cairo multiple times and he came to the DTOM Ranch in January! AMAZING collaboration making a true difference, the goal is to eventually place 12 service dogs per year with Veterans.
For more information on Service or Protection Dogs email Colina Canine Center. colinacaninecenter@gmail.com
DTOM and Pheasants Forever Honor a Local vietnam veteran
Honor thy oath…
DTOM Veterans Ranch and Pheasants Forever members gathered Wednesday evening to honor a beloved Vietnam Veteran, Mr. Jerome Loucks, (Bronze Star and Legion of Merit Recipient), his wife Norma, and his family. Jerry as he is known by, (originally from Aberdeen) has contributed so much to his community, and youth programs, and to the DTOM Veterans Ranch. DTOM just took a trip from Warner South Dakota to Sierra Vista, Arizona to deliver the 2022 Friend of Max Award for the most inspirational veteran, and to visit with him and his family. Pheasants Forever and DTOM honored him Wednesday evening. Chief Loucks loved his horse Booker here at the ranch, so all of the members and DTOM staff took a picture with “Jerry’s Horse.” “Honor Thy Oath…it can never be too late to get them the help they need.”
DTOM Veterans Ranch Awards