the Golden Girl & her Ranch

Hi! I’m Katie — founder of Golden Girl Ranch, certified Level 2 canine hydrotherapist, full-time dog mom, and someone who takes Golden Girls references very seriously. After years of living on the road with my two Golden Retrievers (and best friends), Indy and Shorty, I decided it was time to put down roots and build something just for them — and for dogs like them. That dream became Golden Girl Ranch, a place dedicated to canine well-being, healing, and plenty of tail wags.

Person wearing a hat and red bandana posing with a Golden Retriever against a backdrop of tall trees and blue sky.

My journey started in Buffalo, NY, and took a sharp left turn in 2017 when Indy and I set off to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. After 2,189 miles, I traded city life for seasonal work, a truck bed to sleep in, and the belief that home is wherever your dog is. Eventually, I found my way to La Pine, Oregon, and began building a permanent space where dogs can move, recover, and thrive — especially those who might be older, anxious, or just need a little extra TLC.

Two dogs inside a customized camper van with a door covered in travel stickers and a colorful doormat on sandy ground.
Two Golden Retrievers resting on a bed inside a camper with wooden ceiling and white cabinetry.

My Indy left us the day after Christmas, but his spirit remains ever-present at the ranch. His passing inspired the creation of the Soul Tree, a beautiful ponderosa adorned with bells bearing the names of other soul animals that have left us too soon. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the companions who have touched our lives and a place where their memories can resonate in the wind. I still deeply grieve my best friend, but see little Golden Glimmers now and then reminding me that he is still watching over us.

A woman and her dog posing for a selfie on a hiking trip, surrounded by rocky terrain and a metal structure.

Currently, I’m still embracing the skoolie lifestyle, living in my short school bus named Dirty Hairy (for obvious reasons), while eagerly awaiting the arrival of our prefab home this spring. It’s a cozy, if not hairy, adventure that adds another chapter to our unconventional journey.

Golden retriever standing on a sandy beach at sunset with cloudy sky and trees in the background.
Golden retriever being petted by multiple hands, looking happy with tongue out.
Two small bells hanging from a tree branch with twine, in a snowy forest scene; blurred background with partial view of a dog.

Golden Girl Ranch blends therapeutic care with heart, humor, and a whole lot of dog hair. If you’re looking for a place that takes your dog’s health seriously — but not too seriously — you’ve come to the right spot.

Thank you for being a friend.

Woman kneeling between two Golden Retrievers, one with ribbons, at an outdoor event with RVs and tables in the background.
Woman in a striped jumpsuit standing in front of a U-Haul trailer, smiling with two golden retrievers.
A silver pickup truck with a camper setup parked on a dirt road, with a golden retriever sitting in front. There are hills and a clear blue sky in the background.
Forest with snow, fallen tree, and a dog sitting near trees
A person kneeling between two Golden Retrievers at sunset in a desert landscape.
Person sitting on a blanket outdoors, smiling at two golden retrievers, with people and folding chairs in the background.
Woman and golden retriever wearing Santa hats sitting in the decorated bed of a pickup truck with colorful lights.
Person sitting in a truck with a camper, and a golden retriever sitting on the grass outside.
Person sitting in tall grass with two Golden Retrievers, smiling and wearing a hat, in a black and white photo.
Woman sitting on the beach with two dogs, overlooking a lake and distant hills under a blue sky with the moon visible.
Person wearing a hat kneeling between two golden retrievers in a desert landscape under a clear blue sky.
A woman with tattoos walks down a forest road with two golden retrievers, one on each side. She wears a black tank top and shorts.
Woman sitting on a log bench in a wooded area with two golden retrievers; one lying on the ground and the other sitting beside her.
A person taking a selfie with a golden retriever in a gym mirror, with gym equipment and a foam roller visible in the background.
Person with two dogs in front of mountains and trees, holding a hiking pole under a blue sky.
Two golden retrievers lying on a bed inside a camper with a wooden ceiling and white cabinets.
Vintage-style photo featuring a person in a costume sitting in an old-time saloon setting with wooden barrels and bottles, accompanied by two dogs wearing bandanas.
Person with two golden retrievers on a paddleboard in a clear, rocky river surrounded by lush forest.
A pop-up camper attached to a truck with an open rear hatch, parked in a desert landscape during sunset. A dog is lying on a blanket on the ground beside the truck. Camping gear is visible near the truck.
A person crouching beside a Golden Retriever wearing a red backpack in a forest at the Mason Dixon Line sign, marking the boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania. There is a stone cairn and hiking gear nearby.
Person playing with dogs on a beach at sunset with the ocean in the background.
Two Golden Retrievers sitting in front of a canvas tent in a wooded area.
A smiling hiker with a backpack and hiking poles stands beside a rock, petting a dog wearing a red harness.
Person sitting under a black school bus being repaired, holding a tool, with the bus supported on jacks.
Photo of a person standing with a dog in front of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy building. Handwritten notes include names, social media handle, email, and travel locations from Maine to Florida. A marker is on the table next to the photo.
Person climbing into the back of a silver pickup truck camper shell near a forested area and mountain backdrop.

People come and go in life, but a true friend is never truly gone. They live in your heart forever.

- Sophia