About Us
Rescued Hearts Ranch empowers youth through hands-on experiences in community care-farming.
Through guided time with animals, nature-based activities, and mentorship, our programs create a supportive environment where young people can build confidence, connection, and practical life skills—one experience at a time.
We believe healing and growth happen through relationships—when youth feel safe, seen, and supported by a community that cares.
What is care-farming?
Care-farming is a structured, relationship-based approach that uses the everyday rhythms of a farm—animals, nature, and purposeful activities—to support personal growth, connection, and well-being. At Rescued Hearts Ranch, our care-farm approach centers on three restorative pillars:
Care-Farming
This pillar includes hands-on experiences like animal care, animal interaction, gardening/horticulture, and outdoor recreation—designed to build responsibility, consistency, and confidence through meaningful work and connection.
Contemplative Practices
This pillar includes guided mindfulness, emotion identification, reflection, and journaling—simple practices that help youth slow down, process experiences, and strengthen self-awareness in a supportive setting.
Physical Well-Being
This pillar includes movement and healthy habit education—supporting energy, routine, and resilience through physical activity and age-appropriate learning around nutrition, rest, and basic wellness.
Is care-farming based in science?
Care-farming is considered research-informed and has been used internationally in community settings. Rescued Hearts Ranch is not a medical or clinical program, and we do not diagnose or treat. Our approach is designed to support youth through connection, structure, and meaningful experiences with animals and nature.
We are located in Gardnerville, Nevada.
Where are we located?
Building Social Skills
Learning Healthy Coping Tools
Growing Confidence
Developing Purpose & Responsibility
Strengthening Connection
Practicing Vocational & Life Skills
Meet Our team
Maggie Levin
Founder & President
Maggie was born on a large cattle ranch in Colorado and grew up on a tree and cattle farm in Louisiana.
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She was active in 4-H and FFA, showed cows and judged livestock, and was very involved in the agriculture industry in high school.
After graduating from Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA in 2008 with a degree in Love and Relationship Psychology and Jewish Studies, she returned to Colorado and worked as an assistant at an Environmental, Water, and Ag Law Firm.
In 2016, she started a successful mortgage career with Greenfront Mortgage in Zephyr Cove, Nevada. Maggie and her team are thrilled that their dreams are coming true for Rescued Hearts Ranch to become a beacon of wellness and bring enrichment to the community. Maggie has two stepchildren and recently gave birth to identical twin boys!
Lauren Ashley
Vice-President / Community Outreach Director / Treasurer
Lauren was born and raised in Florida before coming to Nevada in 2012.
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She and her family spent several summers in Wyoming experiencing in the lambing seasons and caring for the ranch. In her academic years, Lauren studied at the University of Central Florida where she graduated with a bachelors of science in interpersonal communication. Moving to Carson City in 2012 and then to
Gardnerville in 2017, Lauren found her niche working with the children and volunteers at the ranch and bringing her past adventures into a new light.
Lauren is a mother to three boys including twins. Her children love to participate in all the activities at the ranch and help the new participants feel welcomed throughout each new session.
Tanya Pittson
Director of volunteers and curriculum development
I have a passion for working with children and guiding them as they discover their potential.
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Over the past 25 years, I have dedicated myself to working with kids of all ages, both professionally and as a volunteer in the public schools in California. I have helped children set goals, make plans to achieve success, manage stress and anxiety, and empower themselves to be their own health advocates.
I retired six years ago and moved to Gardnerville where I live with my husband 2 horses, 35 chickens and our 65 pound labradoodle Bently.
Joining Rescued Hearts Ranch is an exciting new chapter, for me, blending my passions for working with children, gardening, and animals. It's a great way for me to stay active , give back to the community and to share my love of nature and animals with others.
Jessi Bartlett
Board Member
With her never-give-up approach to life, Jessi Bartlett continues to thrive throughout her personal life and profession as well.
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She is a generational Realtor who was born and raised in Lake Tahoe. Growing up in the mountains, she cultivated a passion for outdoor recreation including golf, snowboarding, mountain biking, and horseback riding. As a mom and an animal lover she knows the value of bringing the two together. She likes directing her energy to improving the lives of those around her. Combining her love of helping others, horses, the great outdoors and children she is dedicated to the success of this very unique program.
Tammy Dahlen
Board Member | Secretary and Director of Team Development
Tammy is all about helping people grow into their best, most authentic selves.
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As the founder of her business Positive Turning Points, she’s spent years coaching individuals, teams and organizations through meaningful change, leadership growth, and personal reinvention. Now, she brings that same passion to Rescued Hearts Ranch, where healing happens through connection—to animals, the land, and each other. A big believer in the power of nature, movement, and purpose, Tammy is proud to support a place that offers hope, belonging, and a fresh start to people of all ages.
After trading in corporate life for open roads and deeper meaning, Tammy now blends her expertise with a love of travel, freedom, and living life fully—proving that transformation is always possible, and healing can happen anywhere, especially on a ranch.
Amanda Price
Board Member
Amanda’s background stems from her education and training as an Industrial Engineer.
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After more than 7 years of professional experience in the manufacturing and product development industries where she provided professional product development and rollout consultation, as well as project
management services, she transitioned to opening her own boutique Travel Advisory business and continues to provide technology and sales solutions consulting services to small businesses.
As someone who has personally benefited from nonprofit therapy programs throughout her teens and young adult life she passionately wants to remove the stigma of mental health care, especially for teens where early detection and treatment is critical to their lifelong mental health success.
