DLR Mustang Ranch in Salineville, co-owned by Dale and Renee Lackey, focuses on healing through the bond between mustangs and individuals, particularly veterans and first responders coping with PTSD. The ranch, established in 2019, offers a unique program where participants can adopt and train wild mustangs, fostering communication and emotional healing. The Lackeys believe that the relationship with these horses can help individuals overcome personal challenges, as both mustangs and veterans share experiences of displacement and the need for connection.

The ranch’s six-week intensive program, which has been on hiatus due to health issues faced by Dale, allows participants to select a mustang from the Bureau of Land Management, learn to train it, and potentially adopt it at no cost upon completion. The Lackeys emphasize the therapeutic benefits of these interactions, noting how certain horses resonate with individuals based on their emotional needs. Despite challenges, including health setbacks and financial constraints, the Lackeys have built a supportive environment enriched by various animals and community contributions.

Through their efforts, the Lackeys aim to provide a peaceful retreat for those in need, fostering responsibility and empathy, especially among youth. They continue to seek support and donations to sustain their mission, which is rooted in a desire to serve and uplift others through the transformative power of the human-animal bond.