The 15-acre Gress Mountain Ranch is a sanctuary where abused and neglected animals are given lifelong care to recover and thrive. In turn, the animals become therapy animals and have a job to help people learn to improve their self-worth, communication skills, and learn respect for all living beings.

The ranch supports children, adolescents and adults with physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and/or behavioral difficulties through the use of meaningful creative and expressive work, incorporating the partnering of therapy animals. The ranch is a permanent home for more than 60 animals rescued from abuse or neglect.

Gress Mountain Ranch is completely run by volunteers and 100 percent funded by donations. They are always looking for volunteers for help at the ranch and fundraising events such as parades and fairs. They welcome monetary donations for a summer ranch camp for underprivileged children and also donations of farm products for the animals. Individual animals can be sponsored, as well.

Location: 3264 Highland Rd., Orefield, PA. To sponsor, donate or volunteer, call 610-398-2122 or visit GressMountainRanch.org.