DTOM 22/0 Foundation

DTOM Foundation and Ranch news

Ranch Operations

October 22, 2024

Update; It has been an absolutely amazing 2024 therapy season, and we have done hundreds of sessions. The successes we saw this year from Parkinson's to Neurological conditions as well as Autism has been so amazing. In effort to serve more, we have opened up some appointment times for civilians as well and it has been so busy. As always our therapy is at no cost to our Veterans and our civilian counterparts donate $125/session. This not only helps more people but generates some money to support our Veterans. This therapy consists of riding our specifically trained horses, facing backwards, to "reset" the brain, repair neuropathways and give Hope again from dealing with the detrimental effects of TBI, PTSD, dementia, Parkinson's, seizures, autism and other neurological issues. Sign up is easy, all the you need to do is email Chris@dtom220.org or call the Ranch at 605-725-DTOM (3866) for questions or to schedule.

Looking forward to the 2025 Equine Assisted Draper Sensory Method riding season!!!

DTOM is Delivering Service Pup to a Combat Veteran in IoWa

Additional Information

On Saturday, February 11th, DTOM Veterans Ranch will be delivering a new service pup to a combat veteran in Iowa. A huge thank you to Mr. Dustin Maier and his family for donating this beautiful lab puppy to an amazing combat veteran who recently lost her service dog Skippy to cancer. This is the mission we love, and we took an oath to help each other to the end…and the end was never defined. More to come! Filling holes in our veterans hearts as Dustin stated…yes, brother…yes we are.

If you are in need of a service dog, or need your dog trained, and you are a veteran, please contact

”South Dakota Service Dogs” can be reached at info@southdakotaservicedogs.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

2022 National American Legion Auxiliary https://www.legion-aux.org/public-spirit-award

2022 Evan Williams American Made Heroes Award Winner

2021-2022 National American Legion Auxiliary President's Care Giver Award Winner

2022 Touchstone Energy "Who Powers You" Award Winner

2021-2022 National University Systems NCU Doctoral Alumni of the Year Award Winner

2021-2022 South Dakota State Veteran of the Year Award Winner

2021-2022 Rich Kezar American Armed Services Veteran of the Year Award Winner.

2020-2021 Rich Kezar American Armed Services Veteran of the Year Award Winner.

2020-2021 Abby Bridge Builder Award

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at Help@DTOM220.Org if you have any further questions.

How does a veteran begin the process?

Veterans or their family members should reach out to the DTOM Veterans Ranch by calling 605-725-3866 and talk to Chris to set up a zoom call, an in-person meeting, or a phone call to begin the in-take process. The in-take process includes a balance screen, health, and safety screen, and an individual goal assessment. Once this has been completed the DTOM staff will develop a customized healing and follow-up plan for the veteran or their family member.

How long is the program? Can I take video or pictures during a session? Other Rules/Questions:

The program is designed to be a lifelong program and commitment to the veteran's overall health and well-being. This is all based on the individual's progress within the program and depends on the activities the veteran selects for themselves within the program.

Photos and Videos: We do not allow anyone to take video or photos of the horse sessions. You can have your picture taken with the horse right before or after the session but because these sessions are protected by HIPAA and PHI, and we are not in the business of selling our veterans stories or using them for marketing, we cannot allow video or photos. We protect the privacy of the healing journey and the privacy of all of our veterans and their families.

Also: We do not allow cell phones in the arena because of the frequencies. We need the arena 100% quiet during the session so the horse can hear the cues and counts, and the noise cancelling devices and the EEG works properly. Once the session starts, no one is allowed to walk in and out of the arena until the session ends and the rider has dismounted. Cell phones can be kept in your own personal vehicle, or we have a box that we keep them in during each session. We also ask that you do not wear fitbits, watches, or other devices that give off frequencies or record heart rates.

Family members are allowed to observe the sessions only if the client allows it. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed in adult sessions, and a parent/guardian must be present at all times during the youth MRMS sessions. Children are not allowed to run the property without supervision (for safety reasons).

We do not allow personal pets (dogs) on the property or during any DTOM events for safety. We allow fully trained-certified services dogs on the property as long as they are leashed at all times, and you can provide vaccination history of the animal for rabies etc.

ESA's are allowed only if they are well-behaved, and on leashes all of the time they are on the property, and you can provide current vaccinations for rabies etc.

We have had animals bring in diseases or health issues on to our property and to our horses, so we are absolute on these decisions. Absolutely NO dogs or pets are allowed around our service horses, no exceptions. This is for the safety of your dog.

Absolutely no smoking or vaping on the property due to insurance reasons, and the need to protect our buildings, horses, and their hay.

What if I have never ridden a horse?

Many of our veterans have never ridden a horse. The program starts off with the ground program before we put you on the horse. We address balance, health, safety, and security before we introduce you to the horse. This is not a typical horse therapy program, so even people who have ridden horses previously, or grew up with them all of their life will not be used to this type of riding. This horse is not a typical riding horse. They are specifically trained to do a series of momentums, gaits, movements, all very different from the typical gait of a normal horse. The program includes horse safeties, safety belts, and required helmets. If there are any issues with the horse, rider, weather, or anything that disturbs or hinders the safety of the ride, we terminate the ride immediately. Safety is our number one priority.

How much does the program cost for a veteran, or for a civilian?

The cost of the program is no cost for all veterans and their immediate families. We believe Veterans and their families have sacrificed and carried such a burden, it would be against our Oath to charge one penny. We do operate off donations so many of our veterans or their families donate throughout their program. (This is not expected of our veterans or their families at all).

A one-hour session for a civilian/individual is 125.00 per session. This covers the cost of feed and care for our horses and program materials.

DTOM 22/0 Foundation & Veterans Ranch

DTOM Foundation and Ranch news

Ranch Operations

Draper Sensory Method

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan AFTER Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan AFTER Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

EEG Brainscan BEFORE Draper session

2024 DTOM "Friend of Max" Award Winners

Volunteers of the Year

Organization of the Year

"Friend of Max" Award

Veterans of the Year and Most Impact

RAFFLE Winner Chad Evans!!!

#TeamFirstinterstate

2023 DTom Veterans Christmas Food Box Program

DTOM is Delivering Service Pup to a Combat Veteran in IoWa

Additional Information

If you are in need of a service dog, or need your dog trained, and you are a veteran, please contact

DTOM and Pheasants Forever Honor a Local vietnam veteran

Honor thy oath…

DTOM Veterans Ranch Awards

2022 National American Legion Auxiliary https://www.legion-aux.org/public-spirit-award

2022 Evan Williams American Made Heroes Award Winner

2021-2022 National American Legion Auxiliary President's Care Giver Award Winner

2022 Touchstone Energy "Who Powers You" Award Winner

2021-2022 National University Systems NCU Doctoral Alumni of the Year Award Winner

2021-2022 South Dakota State Veteran of the Year Award Winner

2021-2022 Rich Kezar American Armed Services Veteran of the Year Award Winner.

2020-2021 Rich Kezar American Armed Services Veteran of the Year Award Winner.

2020-2021 Abby Bridge Builder Award

Frequently Asked Questions