For more than 200 "senior" animals and five people, the 160-acre Dreampower Ranch in Douglas County is the only place they have to call home. However, if an investor isn't found by the end of the year, all will be homeless.
Diane Benedict started the PAALS program (People and Animals Living Synergistically) on her ranch more than 10 years ago. PAALS provides a lifelong sanctuary for older and unwanted animals as well as senior people who help take care of all the animals. "Our vision is to enhance caring awareness and partnership between humans and non-humans," Benedict explains. The humans, in exchange for food and housing, take care of the 200 animals in the sanctuary.
The PAALS program fills a unique role. "Often in this country, old animals and old people are discarded," explains Benedict. "Animals go to 'shelters' and are killed if no one adopts them. Senior humans go to nursing homes where they are visited on average only once a year-until they pass away unnoticed. The PAALS program provides an opportunity for older and disabled animals to live out their natural lives on a beautiful, serene ranch."
The animals at the Dreampower Ranch include not only dogs and cats but horses, donkeys, chickens, goats, potbelly pigs, and mules-even a long-horned steer named Chico. Funding is provided through individuals, groups, organizations and companies.
"With the downturn in the economy, we have seen a big drop in our donations," explains Benedict. "To complicate matters, I have a family court situation that has my money tied up for the next two years. At this point, we need an 'angel' investor to step forward with about $500,000 to carry the mortgage for these two years or I will face foreclosure on the ranch. But, any donation would be extremely appreciated and well-used."
Actress
Pam Grier, who stars in the Showtime series "The L Word", lives in Douglas County and has been a supporter of PAALS for the past five years. "Whenever I'm home from filming, I'm out there working-putting up fences, cutting grass-doing whatever needs to be done," Grier explains. "Right now, we're in need of carpenters and people to help raise the barns. Our goal is to keep the shelter going until we can find an investor. I'm also looking at auctioning off some of the clothing I wore in past films."
The Dreampower Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporation that supports the PAALS Program. Donations can be sent to PAALS, P.O. Box 926, Castle Rock, CO 80104.
For more information, visit www.paalsforlife.com or call 303-688-9537.
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