About CATS Ranch
Stories to be Rewritten
We believe in second chances. For horses. For people. For stories waiting to be rewritten.
Founded in the wake of profound personal loss, CATS Ranch was born from one woman’s grief after losing her only sister to cancer. In her sorrow, she found strength. In the quiet presence of horses, she found healing. And in the power of storytelling, she discovered a way to help others do the same.
Today, CATS Ranch is more than a sanctuary—it’s a place of endless possibility. Here, rescued horses are given the care they need to thrive: nutritious hay to warm their bellies, grain to rebuild their muscles, farrier care to keep their hooves strong, and veterinary attention to restore their health. But what truly brings these animals back to life is the love they receive from people like you.
Our holistic programs invite participants of all backgrounds to engage in hands-on storytelling, equine-assisted activities, and trauma-informed healing. Whether you’re a veteran seeking peace, a child navigating loss, or someone simply looking for connection, CATS Ranch offers a safe space to grow, reflect, and heal—alongside our remarkable horses.
CATS Ranch depends on the generosity of people just like you. Your donation—100% tax deductible—directly supports the care and rehabilitation of our horses and the continuation of our life-changing programs. Every dollar helps us feed, heal, and connect. Every hour volunteered brings hope to a horse and a human.
Join us. Volunteer. Donate. Participate. Be part of a story that changes lives—one healing moment at a time.
Champion of Healing and Transformation
Dr. Christine Grimaldi is a visionary leader dedicated to empowering individuals to embrace their best selves. With doctoral degrees in neuroscience and positive psychology, Dr. Grimaldi has devoted over 30 years to mental health, personal development, and well-being. Her career reflects her unwavering commitment to reducing human suffering and transforming lives through evidence-based practices and a holistic approach.
Widely recognized in the media, Dr. Grimaldi’s voice reaches millions through ABC, NBC, Fox News, and publications like The New York Times, where she sheds light on critical mental health issues and inspires positive change. Her initiatives focus on resilience, emotional intelligence, and community, believing healing encompasses mind, spirit, and body.
Recently, Dr. Grimaldi founded CATS Ranch, a sanctuary honoring her sister Catherine Grimaldi Pane. Here, she merges her expertise with her love for horses to create transformative journeys. Dr. Grimaldi’s legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and hope, inspiring others to rise above adversity and fostering meaningful connections within themselves and with the world around them.
NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER
For as long as I can remember, I have held a dream close to my heart — to have a baby sister. When I turned 17, that dream blossomed into reality. She came into my life like a precious little doll, embodying everything a big sister could hope for and more.
In Honor Of Cat
NOTE FROM THE FOUNDER (continued)
But on September 4, 2020, my world came crashing down with a single phone call. My beloved sister, Cat, informed me that she had been diagnosed with cancer. The news felt surreal, especially as I dedicated my career to helping those affected by this devastating illness. My journey through oncology at Columbia University Medical Center earned me numerous accolades, yet nothing could prepare me for this heart-wrenching moment. It felt as if fate had played a cruel trick on me as if God was testing my faith in the worst way possible.
Without a moment’s hesitation, I embarked on a 27-hour drive through the night to reach my sister in Colorado. Cat, a vibrant mother of four young boys under the age of ten, deserved the world. I found myself pleading with God, begging for her life and offering my own in return.
Tragically, on April 28, 2023, Cat lost her courageous battle with stomach cancer. At that moment, a part of me felt like it had died alongside her. Yet, amid the depths of my sorrow, I knew that honoring her memory was the only path forward. Thus, the vision of a sanctuary began to take shape — a ranch dedicated to healing, hope, and connection, where I could rescue horses and in turn, allow them to rescue those of us grappling with grief and despair.
Today, I am incredibly proud to introduce CATS Ranch, a symbol of our shared mission: Connect. Aspire. Transform. Succeed. My love for horses has been a guiding light through my own teenage struggles, and now I aim to build a meaningful legacy in honor of Cat and her four wonderful sons, Max, Frankie, Lucciano, and Salvatore, who, like so many young souls, must navigate life without their beloved momma.
Cat was my shining light, and now her spirit radiates within every corner of this magical place. Whether you are seeking solace in your sorrow or simply wish to bond with an equine companion, I extend an open invitation for you to visit us. I firmly believe, “If just one person shows compassion, then maybe it will ignite others to do the same.” That person is me.
To my beautiful baby sister in heaven, your essence will forever paint the sunrises and sunsets at your ranch.
With abundant blessings,
Dr. Christine Grimaldi, PhD
In loving memory of my baby sister, Cat
Let's Celebrate and Give Thanks at CATS Ranch
Holidays can be difficult, come join us for a day of community, hope and healing!