I was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Devalson and Mildred Wheeler. My destiny was
shaped by two facts: my father was an avid horseman and my mother was a devout
Catholic. Those two things combined and brought me where I am today.
I am the Executive Director of Angel Fire Equestrian Center, a non-profit program
that works with horses and kids. Angel Fire is not a program where kids learn to ride,
but a program where kids learn to live. I have always enjoyed helping people and was
counseling kids even when I was in grade school. When I went to Oklahoma State
University, I studied Sociology so that I could work with people. I have worked was a
counselor and an instructor at the Guthrie Job Corps and in Guthrie schools.
While working at Job Corps I felt called by God to open my own program to work
with kids and families in a faith-based situation. I know that working with kids is an
important task, but I feel that more can be accomplished by adding the dimension of
faith. At that time, my father had recently died, leaving not only a big void in my life,
but a whole herd of horses. I had a decision to make: What was I to do with the call
from God and all those horses? It made sense to me to combine my love of horses and
my love for kids is a therapeutic program.
shaped by two facts: my father was an avid horseman and my mother was a devout
Catholic. Those two things combined and brought me where I am today.
I am the Executive Director of Angel Fire Equestrian Center, a non-profit program
that works with horses and kids. Angel Fire is not a program where kids learn to ride,
but a program where kids learn to live. I have always enjoyed helping people and was
counseling kids even when I was in grade school. When I went to Oklahoma State
University, I studied Sociology so that I could work with people. I have worked was a
counselor and an instructor at the Guthrie Job Corps and in Guthrie schools.
While working at Job Corps I felt called by God to open my own program to work
with kids and families in a faith-based situation. I know that working with kids is an
important task, but I feel that more can be accomplished by adding the dimension of
faith. At that time, my father had recently died, leaving not only a big void in my life,
but a whole herd of horses. I had a decision to make: What was I to do with the call
from God and all those horses? It made sense to me to combine my love of horses and
my love for kids is a therapeutic program.
All children are important in God’s eyes and I believe that God has a future and a hope for all children. I want to
help them to realize this and Angel Fire provides that opportunity. I also believe that animals are therapeutic and
help children grow and mature. They provide much needed confidence and self-esteem. Our students’ experiences
at Angel Fire with horses, donkeys, goats, cows, and dogs provide not only the focus and drive to help them with
school, but also improves their quality of life for the future. Not only are our students nurtured and encouraged,
but the peace and tranquility of Angel Fire also helps their parents. Angel Fire gives help and hope to all troubled
souls.
Angel Fire is a full-time position for me and I could not do it without the help of my family. My husband has been
very supportive of this endeavor. In fact, he looks forward to the day when he can work full time with us on the
ranch. However, since I am working as a volunteer, that day will have to wait until he can retire. My daughter,
Ashley, recently graduated with a degree in Psychology from OSU. She works with Angel Fire in her spare time,
when she isn't working for the Guthrie Coop. She works with both the horses and the children. The children look
to her as a role model and value her opinions. She is a real asset to the program because she has been riding since
she could walk and has competed at various levels in shows and rodeos. My son is an associate attorney at
Collins, Zorn, & Wagner. He gives us valuable legal advice. His wife, Amber, is also a horsewoman and is
president of the Angel Fire board. She updates our website and has done our brochures and newsletters, as well as
instructs our riders. Their daughter's first horse experience was at Angel Fire. Family is very important to all of us
and that is another reason why we try to make Angel Fire a whole family experience for us and for our clients.
Starting Angel Fire was fraught with difficulties. I had to quit my full-time teaching job and leave my salary
behind. We had to build a new house and a new barn on our land and sell the house that we all loved. My
children were not happy about the move and it took some time for them to adjust to the situation. We had to
become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which necessitated filling out complicated paperwork, forming a
board of directors, and acquiring $500 before we even started to operate. After we had been open for only a few
months, our therapeutic riding instructor quit. My father had died, my husband had heart by-pass surgery, my
children were gone from home to be full-time students, and I was full-time caregiver for my elderly mother. On
top of all that, I was in charge of a program that was a full-time job in itself.
The past few years have been life-changing. I feel like I have made it through thus far by putting one foot in front
of the other, taking one day at a time, and putting God in charge of my life. He was just giving me enough light
for the step I was on, but that, it turned out, was enough.
Although starting Angel Fire has had its difficulties, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I have been around horses
since I was four years old. My sister and I rode and were involved in 4-H. My best childhood memories involve
horses and my dad was with us every step of the way. He was a major inspiration in my life and I know that he
would be proud of what his horses are accomplishing in the lives of kids. My mother’s faith was an additional
inspiration in my life. She always made sure that we went to church and that we were involved in spiritual
activities. So, Angel Fire and I are here today because of horses, my parents, and the Lord.
help them to realize this and Angel Fire provides that opportunity. I also believe that animals are therapeutic and
help children grow and mature. They provide much needed confidence and self-esteem. Our students’ experiences
at Angel Fire with horses, donkeys, goats, cows, and dogs provide not only the focus and drive to help them with
school, but also improves their quality of life for the future. Not only are our students nurtured and encouraged,
but the peace and tranquility of Angel Fire also helps their parents. Angel Fire gives help and hope to all troubled
souls.
Angel Fire is a full-time position for me and I could not do it without the help of my family. My husband has been
very supportive of this endeavor. In fact, he looks forward to the day when he can work full time with us on the
ranch. However, since I am working as a volunteer, that day will have to wait until he can retire. My daughter,
Ashley, recently graduated with a degree in Psychology from OSU. She works with Angel Fire in her spare time,
when she isn't working for the Guthrie Coop. She works with both the horses and the children. The children look
to her as a role model and value her opinions. She is a real asset to the program because she has been riding since
she could walk and has competed at various levels in shows and rodeos. My son is an associate attorney at
Collins, Zorn, & Wagner. He gives us valuable legal advice. His wife, Amber, is also a horsewoman and is
president of the Angel Fire board. She updates our website and has done our brochures and newsletters, as well as
instructs our riders. Their daughter's first horse experience was at Angel Fire. Family is very important to all of us
and that is another reason why we try to make Angel Fire a whole family experience for us and for our clients.
Starting Angel Fire was fraught with difficulties. I had to quit my full-time teaching job and leave my salary
behind. We had to build a new house and a new barn on our land and sell the house that we all loved. My
children were not happy about the move and it took some time for them to adjust to the situation. We had to
become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, which necessitated filling out complicated paperwork, forming a
board of directors, and acquiring $500 before we even started to operate. After we had been open for only a few
months, our therapeutic riding instructor quit. My father had died, my husband had heart by-pass surgery, my
children were gone from home to be full-time students, and I was full-time caregiver for my elderly mother. On
top of all that, I was in charge of a program that was a full-time job in itself.
The past few years have been life-changing. I feel like I have made it through thus far by putting one foot in front
of the other, taking one day at a time, and putting God in charge of my life. He was just giving me enough light
for the step I was on, but that, it turned out, was enough.
Although starting Angel Fire has had its difficulties, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. I have been around horses
since I was four years old. My sister and I rode and were involved in 4-H. My best childhood memories involve
horses and my dad was with us every step of the way. He was a major inspiration in my life and I know that he
would be proud of what his horses are accomplishing in the lives of kids. My mother’s faith was an additional
inspiration in my life. She always made sure that we went to church and that we were involved in spiritual
activities. So, Angel Fire and I are here today because of horses, my parents, and the Lord.
| About Valerie |
Angel Fire Equestrian Center, Inc.
Helping all children with God's help.
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| Valerie, teaching a student at Angel Fire |