The Arrini Ranch was established by Terry Jester and Toni Pasquale in 1993.

At first, the ranch was dedicated to training horses, training people in horsemanship, and rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming horses bound for slaughter. From 1997 to 2007 the ranch was home to over 700 horses, ponies, donkeys and mules.

Terry continued to train people and their dogs, horses and their people, and rescue horses bound for slaughter.

And, for many years wrote a popular weekly column

about animals in the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

But, by about 2001, it became clear that the allergies Terry suffered from a lifetime of over exposure to dog hair and dander was beginning to affect her health.

The breeds she loved, the German Shepherd Dog, Pomeranian, Border Collie, Cattledog and any other breed that had a shedding coat would no longer be part of her everyday life. She could no longer be in the same room with them  —  much less live with one.

Christmas at the ranch  —  1994

Terry had to figure out how to still help people, train dogs, and make a living without ending up not being able to breath due to asthma and her reaction to dogs that shed.

Her first breeding and training kennel was Rocky Mountain Rawhide. Focused on breeding top-quality bulldogs of many types, Terry successfully bred out many of the health problems associated with bulldog breeds. Rocky Mountain Rawhide Bulldogges was incredibly successful, and Terry’s pet, show, and working bulldogs were soon all over the U.S.

A few years after the launch of Rocky Mountain Rawhide, Terry started Powder Valley Poodles. Here, she found her true love  —  breeding healthy, beautiful, smart, and completely non-shedding standard, miniature, and toy poodles. Terry’s dogs, so well-suited for Therapy Dog, Service Dog and ESSD support were soon in very high demand all over the U.S.

Dolce

In the collage above we have puppies that grew up to be, and dogs that are: Visiting therapy dogs in “Read Aloud to a Dog” programs, Autism Support ESSD, An International and National Champion, a resident therapy dog in a funeral home, comforting the grieving during funerals and funeral arraignments, a resident therapy dog at a dental office, helping people through dental procedures, a visiting therapy dog visiting nursing homes and rehab facilities, a Reconnaissance Service Dog, who checks the home and other areas for intruders before his handler, a victim of severe domestic violence, enters the area, a mobility-assistance dog helping her owner find her cane and helping her in and out of beds and chairs and maneuvering stairways, and a soft, affectionate and furry best friend who is always there to fight loneliness and depression while in the lap of her quadriplegic owner.

All of these dogs are from Terry’s Powder Valley Poodles and were trained by Terry.

But soon it became apparent that the need for more healthy, easily trained and non-shedding puppies was outgrowing Terry’s ability to produce and train them.  Something had to give  —  and it was the very time consuming training of all of these puppies that had to stop. There are many good, capable, trainers out there. What Terry decided to concentrate on was breeding the healthy, trainable and beautiful dogs Powder Valley Poodles is so known for.

So, in 2009, Terry hung up her leashes and began  to concentrate on producing the best, healthiest, most trainable and versatile poodles she could. In 2012 Terry added goldendoodles to the line up, recognizing the golden retriever’s gentleness, weight and size could help when a bigger, heavier or more tolerant dog was needed.  The result is what Powder Valley Poodles is so known for. Healthy, beautiful and versatile poodles and goldendoodles for work, play, families or individuals with disabilities. Resident therapy dog, family companion or child’s boogie man and closet monster deterrent. You will not find a better dog, anywhere.

Some of Our Gardens at the Ranch

Photos of the ranch, its resident animals and volunteers. Enjoy!

Elk across the Road