Mountain Mayhem: Awards season at Smiling Goat Ranch

Every year, the nonprofit Smiling Goat Ranch (SGR) honors a person who has gone above and beyond to keep its mission alive — offering therapeutic, animal assisted therapy services for free to families suffering with autism, anxiety, depression, or addiction, as well as to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The first year’s award went to Board Emeritus Member Lieutenant Colonel Dick Merritt; last year, SGR board member Blair Palmer was recognized. The Guardian Award is always a surprise for those who receive it at the Hay Bale Ball.

This year, SGR founder and executive director Sheryl Barto recognized two standouts for the organization: supporters Krista Klees and Terri Caine.

“Last year, through the ups and downs of growth pains, through her contacts and her willingness to connect us with all of the right people, we would not be where we are today without Krista. Because it best describes our journey last year, we named this award the Unicorn Award. She tapped all of her resources to help us transition and grow to a new level. Krista is a rare friend, highly-valued and very much loved!” 

The second award — named Lifelong Friendship — went to Terri Caine whom Barto has known since they were in their 20s working for Aspen Skiing Company: “Terri is always willing to brainstorm with me and brings her passion, intellect, insight, and shared experience from running her own nonprofit, Summit 54. She has been particularly great with her timing — when we needed help the most!”  

The Hay Bale Ball recreates the ranch in Aspen, where guests enjoy cocktails with their stars — the animals who offer healing to families with autism, anxiety, and depression and veterans with PTSD. Guests mingled with the horses and met the smaller social therapy animals, including goats, dogs, bunnies, mini-horses, and mini-donkeys.

Kansas Carradine, a.k.a The Circus Cowgirl, helped emcee the event and held a roping demo on one of SGR’s specially trained horses, Takoda, and offered roping tips to the crowd. She acknowledged the Ute Indians for the land and her spiritual mentors while sharing her talents from a lifelong career as a professional equestrian stunt woman. The daughter of David Carradine, who many would remember from the Kung Fu TV shows back in the ’70s, Kansas also intimately understands the healing power of horses despite being a daredevil on horseback.  

The presentation included testimonials from the Holsinger family of Carbondale and military veteran Aaron Summers who have been helped by SGR’s work. Guests dined on light bites from Hickory House Ribs and enjoy a special batched cocktail from Woody Creek Distillery, as well as beer and wine provided by Steeps and music from the duo with Elk Range. The event annually features a specially curated silent auction. Krista and Terri each received a plaque honoring their role as a Smiling Goat Guardian. Visit smilinggoatranch.com to learn more.