Andi graduated from Penn State in 2023 with a Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Studies. They’ve lived in DE most of their life, and PA for a year while working at their local Trader Joe’s. Andi's favorite pastimes include reading, hiking, paddling, and rock climbing! They also love to spend time with their cat, Ethel, who is a very sweet girl. A fun fact about Andi is that they love scary movies, and collecting strange and unusual trinkets
Brian comes to us as a PC from Boulder, CO. He most recently worked as a patient access coordinator and has also managed the recreation department at First Light Resorts in Groveland, CA. He has a BS in Business Administration with a Marketing major from Christopher Newport University, Newport News, VA; a Bachelor of Arts in English, and a minor in Film Studies. He is an active member of Lambda Chi Alpha and Alpha Phi Omega.
BS, Forestry, Colorado State University; AS Sustainable Agriculture Austin grew up in Iowa and after a short stint in the Army, he found himself in Colorado until they moved to Vermont in 2021. Prior to his time at the Ranch, he worked in the bicycle industry and with multiple federal agencies in conservation and law enforcement. Whilst not at work, Austin enjoys exploring nature with his wife and dogs, riding singletrack and bikepacking, and tinkering with projects in the garage.
Forestry, Plant and Soil Science Ray joined the Spring Lake Ranch team in 2016 and previously served as manager of the Ranch’s Shop Crew. Ray also serves as a Resident Advocate. He was previously a self-employed Carpenter and Farm Manager for a youth employment training program. He resides in Tinmouth with his wife. He takes pride in being a father of three and grandfather of four!
MBA, Corporate Finance; Fordham University BA, Economics; Fordham College Rachel came to the Ranch after a 16-year career in finance in the New York Metropolitan area. After her own struggles with addiction and related mental health issues, Rachel was hired in 2007 as a House Advisor and hasn’t left since. Rachel took over the responsibility of admissions in 2009, became Director of Operations in 2019, then moved into the Executive Director position in 2022. She is a passionate believer in our model of work therapy and community. Rachel lives on the hill, and can often be found paddle boarding on Spring Lake as soon as it gets moderately warm out.
BS, Forestry; Paul Smith's College Before joining Spring Lake Ranch in 2012, Nathan was a self-employed logger and carpenter for 15 years. Outside of his time at the Ranch, he enjoys running a family maple syrup operation and spending time outdoors with his wife and kids.
Hello, Friends. I'm a tall dude from Oklahoma. I'm married to Rose. I was a debate, speech, and philosophy teacher for 20+ years at an amazing high school (Booker T. Washington) in Tulsa. Loved every minute of it. BUT, it's time for something new and I'm going to put my passion for cooking and service to work in SLR's kitchen. I'm a big fan of biscuits, BBQ, and pizza. I play tennis. I make furniture. And I am a news/politics junkie.
Cathy went to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. She started her career in country clubs and various restaurants. Prior to the Ranch, Cathy was a food service director and head chef at Equinox Terrace, a prestigious assisted living facility in Manchester, VT. Coming to the Ranch has truly been an inspiring and unique learning experience, working with much younger residents and acclimating to their menu likes and dislikes! When she's not at the Ranch, Cathy enjoys spending her summers on her boat on Lake Bomoseen with her husband Josh and two fur babies Gracey and Stella, both Boston Terriers. During fall and winter months, she enjoys going to professional football games. Her husband turned her into a Minnesota Vikings fan. Besides home games in Minnesota, Cathy and Josh enjoy taking in culture and football at other football stadiums around the country. When the football season is over, they enjoy taking cruises throughout the Caribbean.
A Desert Storm Army Veteran, Hal came to Spring Lake Ranch after a career in Adult Community Justice. In his former role as a liaison between the jails and the courts, he witnessed how devastating addiction and related mental health issues can be to everyone they touch. He worked closely with individuals and their families to help them navigate difficult circumstances. Hal always understood the past, does not define the future, and there is hope in recovery. Hal enjoys music, sports, the outdoors, and animals, especially his two “Faux Frenchies", Bennie & the Jax. His gentle, friendly nature ensures he has never met a stranger, always embracing opportunities to connect with people and learn more about them
BS, Recreation Management; University of Vermont Erin joined the Spring Lake Ranch community after working in both therapeutic recreation environments as well as camp-based settings. She has always believed that inner peace can be found through both nature and recreation; both of which have helped her on her own mental health journey. Erin is a certified yoga instructor who favors teaching both original hot and yin yoga. When not at the Ranch or in the yoga studio, she enjoys open-water swimming, reading, and spending time kayaking and traveling with her family.
Jennifer comes to the ranch with 20 years of human resources experience, a pre-HR career in art and design, and a certificate in health and wellness coaching from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN). She has worked in a variety of industries including hospitality, the trades, and most recently, mental health and non-profit as an HR leader. She felt instantly connected to Spring Lake Ranch when she visited, and is thrilled to be able to offer human resources support to the organization. Things that bring joy to her life are nurturing her creative and artistic side, sharing that side with others, a good road trip to anywhere she’s never been before, gardening (without a road map), and spending time with her family.
MEd, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, North Carolina State University; MFA, Creative Writing, Poetry, University of North Carolina Wilmington; BFA, Art Education, Painting, Tennessee Technological University/Appalachian Center for Craft (she/her) In 2022, Anna joined the Ranch, bringing along with her a diverse educational and professional background. She has worked in nonprofit administration, education, literary publishing, and most recently, she worked as an administrator and fundraiser in the UNC System. A Nashville native, Anna is also a published poet and licensed therapist.
BA, Business Management, Buena Vista University
Jackie is an Iowa native who moved to Vermont from Colorado. Prior to her time at the Ranch, she worked in the healthcare industry including primary care, eye care, and most recently gastroenterology. She felt drawn to SLR because of its unique approach to mental illness, with its focus on outdoors, work-centered therapy, and community. She is eager to be a part of the team, and to learn and become a resource for those struggling to find their place. Outside of work, Jackie enjoys exploring the outdoors, being amongst loved ones, and reading.
The Katharine Gibbs School Jill came to the Ranch in 2004 and worked in the front office before moving to the Business Office where she spent the next eight years. When the Rutland Program was reorganized in 2013, Jill moved into town to co-lead the Rutland Program and manage our transitional home on Royce Street. Recently, she has returned to the Hill and is now the Business Manager. Jill resides in Rutland with her long-time partner and has two adult children.
Loretta grew up right down the road from Spring Lake Ranch. Her family did a lot of farming and gardening, where she learned about food preservation and baking. She served in the military and did a tour in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Cuba. She later earned a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology and began volunteering in many different nonprofit organizations. Since moving back to Vermont in 2015, Loretta worked at a substance abuse treatment facility before joining the Ranch. She enjoys empowering residents with the knowledge and love of cooking. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, roller-skating, baking for others, and hiking with her dog, Charlie.
BA, Arts Management, University of Tulsa. Rose McCracken moved to Vermont from Oklahoma in 2023 to join Spring Lake Ranch as Development Director. She has more than 15 years of experience raising funds for nonprofits from arts organizations to human service agencies. She has also ten years of experience owning and operating a small farm and community center. She believes in the inherent healing that comes from being outdoors, surrounded by nature and looks forward to working with the SLR team to create new opportunities for future residents.
AAS in Forest Technology and BS in Criminal Justice
Nathan has worked, lived, and traveled in a thousand and one places, but grew up close to Vermont and the Ranch. He and his family live in Shrewsbury, where they own and operate a Xmas tree farm, have two young boys, and enjoy spending as much time outside as possible.
Ella was born and raised in Vermont, and has always spent as many hours as possible with her hands in the dirt growing food. After studying neuroscience and then working in community mental health for several years, she pursued certification as a horticultural therapist, deepening her understanding of how to share her love of gardening with people as a healing modality. She first came to the Ranch in 2020 as a program coordinator and spent the majority of her year here on garden crew, witnessing the immense power of collectively working and growing food for the community. When she left, she went to work on a family-run vegetable farm to continue to grow her knowledge about organic, regenerative, and productive farming practices in Vermont so that she could one day run a program like the garden crew at Spring Lake Ranch - her dream job. Most recently she worked with unaccompanied teens in an emergency intake shelter at the southern border in Texas as a horticultural therapist, and as a middle school teacher in her hometown. She is thrilled to return to the Ranch, this time in her dream role, to once again participate in the healing and empowering act of working with the land in community, growing beautiful and nutritious food to eat together.
Carl joined Spring Lake Ranch in 2015 and oversees all aspects of its farming, including daily care of the animals, haying, grooming, and much more. Carl has years of experience working in both St. Thomas (Virgin Islands) and at a family farm in Southern Vermont, just to name a few! Carl enjoys educating residents and staff alike about the animals that call the Ranch home, including sheep, goats, cattle, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and llamas. Carl resides at the Ranch and enjoys spending time with his children.
MS, Nutrition & Health Promotion, Didactic Program in Dietetics, Simmons College. BA, English Literature & Studio Art, Providence College. Allison Filepp is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Registered Yoga Teacher with a master’s degree in Nutrition and Health Promotion from Simmons University. Allison specializes in Food and Mood, providing education and nutrition counseling to help clients eat in a way that supports optimal mental health. In addition to providing individual nutrition counseling for clients, Allison facilitates a weekly Food and Mood group, delving into the science behind how what we eat can affect our mental health and providing practical tools and tips to utilize this knowledge in daily life. Outside of the office, Allison's favorite activities include practicing and teaching yoga, traveling, practicing her five languages, reading, or playing with her dog and cat.
Rebecca C. Hunke, LCMHC, LADCMS, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling, College of St. Joseph, Rutland, VT. BS, English, State University of New York at Brockport Mental Health Counselor, Alcohol and Drug Counselor “Becky” first worked with the ranch in 2014. She works with the ranch as an individual and group counselor. Specialties include: Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Certified EMDR Therapist (Eye Movement, Desensitization and Reprocessing), Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and working with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. She has worked with Rutland Regional Medical Center and Rutland Mental Health Services.
MS Clinical Psychology 2005 (St. Joseph’s College) Level II certified in EMDR Tomas has been working in the field since 1997. His early years were in residential work. After completing his degree, he worked at the local psychiatric inpatient unit and as a crisis clinician. Since 2008, he has been working, in a collaborative practice with Dr. FauntLeRoy, with people struggling with substance abuse, relationship issues, self-acceptance, and especially with the impact of trauma on coping with life challenges. He tailors his approach to a wide range of capacities for insight. In his own words, "My style is highly communicative and collaborative with each client I see, and I believe that anyone who is appropriately challenged and supported can work through problematic issues and attain greater well-being."
MSW, Master of Social Work, Brescia University. BSW, Bachelor of Social Work, Brescia University. I am grateful to work with such a cohesive team, dedicated to supporting residents in a stabilizing community environment. I believe that everyone has their own story that shapes who they are and contributes to how they learn to cope with different situations. Sometimes these coping skills may have been necessary early on but are no longer useful. During my sessions, we look at these kinds of things and the emotions that surround them. I also help people work on other things like reflecting on their interactions with others and social skills building. I use specialized method for helping ease the pain of traumatic events. Therapy looks different for many people depending on their needs and situations so I find it is very important to tailor the type of therapy to the needs of the resident. I enjoy being a part of the journey with residents as they get community support in a diverse and supportive program.
Born and raised in Vermont, Ruthie attended UVM for a BA in psychology and a minor in Sociology. Ruthie has worked in community mental health, substance abuse treatment, and developmental services within Rutland County and Burlington for the last 13 years. Previously working in a psychiatric hospital setting, she witnessed the different approaches to treatment and difficulties upon discharge. Upon learning of the Ranch, she was immediately drawn to its model of care and programming. She is passionate about providing supports that will meet people 'where they are' and help to reach goals that are realistic and meaningful. In spare time, some things Ruthie enjoy are caring for houseplants, poetry, reading, animals, being outside in the sun, and spending time with her family. She is excited and proud to be a new part of this community.
(she/her) MSW, Master of Social Work from the University of South Florida, Tampa FL. BA in Psychology from Eckerd College, St. Petersburg FL. Becky comes to the ranch after 14 years in various roles within community mental health and 6 years in private practice. She has worked extensively with at-risk adolescents and young adults as well as their families. Becky also has previous experience with youth in the juvenile justice system, child welfare and refugees escaping war-torn countries to resettle in the United States. After a decade living in Florida, she decided to take an opportunity to go to Nepal for a year and be part of a grassroots effort to create a counseling program for a rural school of 350+ children. She is an ally of LGBTQIA+ individuals and confident in working with clients exploring their gender expression and sexual identity. She is thrilled to be part of the ranch and have the opportunity to work in such a beautiful environment and be part of an incredible team. Things that bring joy to her life are opportunities to be outside, spending time with her pup Kodie (who traveled back with her from Nepal), hiking, traveling, rock climbing, and paddleboarding.
MS Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling; University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill: School of Medicine. BS Forensic Sociology/Religious Studies; Rosemont College. Derrick joined the Ranch in late 2022 as a serendipitous fulfillment of his dream job. Derrick has previously worked in vocational rehabilitation, community mental health, and in both forensic and medical settings in therapeutic capacities. He believes strongly in a person-centered and individualized approach to recovery and healing. Derrick is passionate about meeting individuals where they are in their journey and helping them discover the next steps. He is drawn to the therapeutic aspects of the great outdoors and constructive work; as well as the chance to learn from each person that we work with. Every day on the Ranch is an opportunity to discover new passions and learn from each other. Derrick loves animals, Harry Potter, hiking, cooking, Philadelphia sports, and above all else: his dog Lilo. Look for him and his dog wandering around the woods or getting their hands dirty on work crew!
MA, Mental Health Counseling; Johnson State College MA, Transformative Art; John F. Kennedy University Graduate Certificate in Dream Studies; John F. Kennedy University BA, Writing and Literature, Transpersonal Psychology; Burlington College Cynthia is drawn to residential treatment because of the “it takes a village” approach to helping individuals with mental health and substance abuse challenges. Everything is therapeutic at the Ranch, from a range of crews offering structure, skills, and meaningful work to the building of relationships with peers and staff; from informal in-the-moment mentoring to scheduled therapy. The Ranch excels at caring on many levels and in many forms, and Cynthia is glad to be a part of a community of staff that all bring their unique experience and areas of expertise. She has previously worked as a clinical director and private practitioner.
Donny Grenier is a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with almost a decade of mental health experience. Several of those years have been at Spring Lake Ranch in various capacities. Donny holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Castleton University and a Master of Science in Nursing with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner concentration from Norwich University. Donny is dedicated to promoting holistic wellness and recovery for individuals struggling with mental health challenges. Drawing upon a deep-rooted belief in the power of person-centered care, Donny’s approach to treatment is firmly grounded in the recovery model, emphasizing the individual’s strengths, resilience, and capacity for personal growth. His experience spans a diverse range of mental health settings including inpatient psychiatric units, residential therapeutic communities, and outpatient care. Throughout his career, he has focused on providing comprehensive, evidence-based care, tailored to the unique needs of each patient. Donny’s commitment to holistic wellness extends beyond clinical practice, as he actively engages in professional development opportunities and regularly participates in community initiatives to promote mental health wellness.
M.D. New York University School of Medicine; M.A. Johns Hopkins University; A.B Goucher College Dr. FauntLeRoy has been the consulting psychiatrist for Spring Lake Ranch since 2006, during which time she also operated her own private practice in nearby Rutland. Prior to that, she served as the Medical Director for the Psychiatric Services Unit at Rutland Regional Medical Center, had a partnership practice in Boston, and was the Staff Psychiatrist at Tri-City Community Mental Health in Malden, Massachusetts. She completed her psychiatry residency at St. Elizabeth’s of Boston. Dr. FauntLeRoy is a member of the American Psychiatric Association and the Vermont Psychiatric Society.
MBA Ball State University, MSW, Simmons University, BA Psychology and BS Rehabilitation Counseling and Human Services, Boston University. (she/her) Heather brings extensive experience in mental health to the Ranch, with a background that spans residential, school-based, and community settings. Her clinical work is grounded in trauma-informed, person-centered, and strengths-based approaches. She has a special appreciation for the milieu model, where every individual—staff and resident alike—plays a meaningful role in the healing community. As a leader, Heather is passionate about building collaborative, cohesive teams and fostering a culture of shared purpose. Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons, reading, crossword puzzles and word games, and discovering new places through travel. She’s also a passionate Philadelphia Eagles fan—Go Birds!
MA, Counseling Psychology; Antioch University New England BA, Psychology; St. Olaf College Lynn served as Spring Lake Ranch’s Assistant Director from 2002-2014, provided leadership as Interim Director in 2006 and 2014, and eventually became Executive Director in June 2014 until passing on the reins in January 2019 to Interim Director, Graham Parker. During her tenure as Assistant Director Lynn oversaw the coordination of all resident care including psychiatric services, resident advising, and nursing. Seeing a greater need for clinical support for residents and families, she was integral in the expansion of clinical services while Executive Director and helped to establish the highly successful bi-annual Family Weekend. It is Lynn’s belief that the integration of meaningful work, clinical expertise, and community support create the optimal opportunity for recovery to occur. Starting in 2019 Lynn now oversees quality assurance and program improvement, risk management, and outcomes for the organization. She is also the lead on preparing the organization for international certification through CARF.
BA, Economics; Castleton University (he/him) Kevin joined the Ranch in 2017 and worked for two years as a House Advisor/Assistant Farm Manager before transitioning into the Admissions role in 2019. Since 2022, he has been serving as the Director of Operations & Admissions and manages much of the day to day here at the Ranch. Kevin originally arrived at the Ranch in early 2015 as a resident after struggling with his own addiction and mental health related issues. He knows first-hand the healing power of our program and is motivated to pay it forward. Kevin has a golden retriever named Cooper that you are bound to run into either in his office or on one of our many hiking trails around the Ranch.
Today marks the start of Mental Health Awareness Month, which was founded by Mental Health America (MHA) in 1949. This year’s theme is “More Good Days, Together.”
In their materials, MHA asks us to consider what makes a “good day.” Is it waking up on time and taking a shower? Or finishing a big project? Is a good day connecting with a friend or family member or spending some time outdoors? It can look different for everyone, but one thing that we at the Ranch know for sure is how important community is to make more good days happen for everyone.
Because residents and staff work side-by-side every day, we see each small win and struggle as it happens. We can be there for one another in the moment to celebrate or respond quickly when mental illness makes us feel like good days can’t happen. We get to know one another—truly—and understand what each person’s own version of a good day is. Then, we can help each other see more of those days through support and the shared purpose of meaningful work.
The most effective treatment plans are individualized and deeply informed by a person’s strengths and life goals. What works for one person (this medication, that supplement, weekly therapy, AA meetings, meditation…) won’t always work for someone else. One person’s version of a good day might not be what someone else wants for themselves. That’s why it’s important to offer a personalized approach and diverse, holistic treatment options.
Folks often tell us they found the Ranch after “nothing else worked.” Anyone who has experienced mental health challenges can relate to that feeling of hopelessness, the idea that you are somehow broken or incapable of good days. Often, it’s because we see other people “succeed” where we feel we are “failing.” But by turning toward each other instead of turning away, by putting in the work instead of giving up, and by seeing our contributions shared and appreciated, we can find more of the good in any day.
Michael Wells arrived to Spring Lake Ranch from England in 1957 to serve as a house advisor. He had no plans to stay long-term; he was simply a young man looking to explore life abroad and find what was next. But, like many of us, he was pulled into the loving and...
Once a month at Friday morning meeting, a Rancher is asked to share what Spring Lake Ranch means to them. On Friday, February 27, one of our residents shared a wonderful speech about kindness (and ice cream), available to read below: Spring Lake Ranch invites its...
This month’s blog post is a true example of how interconnected our program is; how the work we do in one area can influence, and even strengthen, another. Let me set the stage for how this topic came to me. During our weekly Wednesday Work Program logistics meeting,...
