Giving Tuesday at Lyon Ranch: Turn Kindness into Care

TherapyCommunity OutreachFundraising
Written By Lynette Lyon

Why Your Donation Matters

Lyon Ranch is home to rescued and rehomed animals who now serve as ambassadors—teaching empathy in classrooms and bringing comfort to hospitals, care facilities, and community events across Sonoma County. Donations fund the unglamorous, essential pieces of that work: feed, bedding, veterinary care, transport, safe enclosures, and the trained handlers who keep everyone—human and animal—calm and cared for.

Short version: you give → animals thrive → people heal and learn.

What Your Gift Does (Real Numbers, Real Care)

  • $15 – One day of grain and greens for a small herbivore.

  • $25 – Hay top-up for minis (goats, sheep, donkey).

  • $50 – Fresh bedding + disinfectant for a clean, low-stress stall.

  • $95 – Vet meds/refills for a recovering rescue (think Wally’s post-surgery care).

  • $150 – Hoof trim/farrier or small-mammal wellness checks.

  • $250 – Local transport + intake supplies for a new arrival.

  • $500 – Diagnostics (X-ray/ultrasound) or specialized dental work.

  • $1,000 – Enclosure repairs: shade sails, fencing, winterization.

  • $2,500 – Surgery fund support for complex cases.

  • $5,000 – Sponsor a paddock/enclosure for a year (signage + updates).

Prefer steady impact? Monthly giving at $15 / $25 / $50 helps us plan feed, meds, and outreach visits without guessing.

Contribute to
3% Cover the Fee

Ways to Support Lyon Ranch (Pick 1—or 3)

  1. Donate (one-time or monthly)
    Easiest, highest impact. If your employer matches gifts, double it in minutes.

  2. Sponsor an Animal
    Help cover a specific ambassador’s feed, care, and enrichment. Great for families and classrooms.

  3. Shop the Wishlist
    Hay nets, feed, enrichment, cleaning supplies—practical gifts that arrive when we need them most.

    Explore our Amazon Wishlist here and scroll our donate page for local animal stores that support our cause!

  4. Start a Peer-to-Peer Fundraiser
    Set a small goal, tell a short story (why you care), and invite friends to chip in $10–$20.

  5. Give Your Time
    Volunteer support (events, ranch days) and professional skills (carpentry, transport, admin).

  6. Share the Mission
    Post a photo from a past visit, tag Lyon Ranch, and drop the donate link. Your voice travels further than any ad.

The Ripple Effect: From Stall to Community

  • Animal welfare: healthy, enriched animals who like their jobs (yes, we watch body language).

  • Education: science comes alive; kids practice gentleness and attention.

  • Therapy & outreach: visits that lower shoulders and raise spirits.

  • Community resilience: Sonoma County at its best—neighbors caring for neighbors, with a few very cute co-workers.

Giving Tuesday Toolkit (Copy-Paste + Share)

  • “I’m supporting Lyon Ranch Therapy Animals for #GivingTuesday. $25 = feed, $95 = meds, $250 = transport for new rescues. Join me?”

  • “Help keep animal-assisted visits going in Sonoma County. Donate or sponsor an animal today—every bit helps.”

  • “Monthly gifts matter! I signed up for $15/mo so the minis never miss a meal.”

Ready to Help?

  • Donate: Head to the Donate page (choose one-time or monthly).

  • Sponsor: Explore animals in need to Sponsor and pick your ambassador.

  • Wishlist: Grab a practical item we’ll use immediately.

  • Questions or company match help? Contact us—we’ll make it easy.

From everyone (two- and four-legged) at Lyon Ranch: thank you for turning generosity into daily care.

Lynette Lyon