meet the founders
meet the founders
Grace & Trevor Pipkin
Grace & Trevor Pipkin
Second Chance Ranch was founded by Grace and Trevor Pipkin, whose shared passions for education, mental health, and animal well-being shaped the vision for 2CR.
Second Chance Ranch was founded by Grace and Trevor Pipkin, whose shared passions for education, mental health, and animal well-being shaped the vision for 2CR.
Their work is rooted in both lived experience
and professional dedication.
Their work is rooted in both lived experience
and professional dedication.
Educator. Advocate. Lifelong caregiver.
Educator. Advocate. Lifelong caregiver.
Grace was raised on a 30-acre farm in Southwest Michigan, where caring for animals was part of everyday life. Her connection to animals has always gone hand-in-hand with her commitment to education and child development.
Grace was raised on a 30-acre farm in Southwest Michigan, where caring for animals was part of everyday life. Her connection to animals has always gone hand-in-hand with her commitment to education and child development.
Grace holds:
• A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education (Learning Disabilities) from Michigan State University
• A Master’s degree in Autism Education from Grand Canyon University
Grace holds:
• A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education (Learning Disabilities) from Michigan State University
• A Master’s degree in Autism Education from Grand Canyon University
She brings over 10 years of experience working with children across a wide range of abilities and needs, including five years teaching special education in Nevada within resource and life-skills programs at both middle and high school levels.
She brings over 10 years of experience working with children across a wide range of abilities and needs, including five years teaching special education in Nevada within resource and life-skills programs at both middle and high school levels.
Grace Pipkin
Grace Pipkin
Grace is deeply involved in community service
and educational outreach, serving:
• On the Board of Directors of Carson Valley Magic, a nonprofit supporting families with basic needs
• As a member of the Tahoe Women’s Community Fund,
a collective giving organization
• On the Program Development Committee for Between Horses and Humans (BHH), a local nonprofit focused
on youth development through horsemanship
Grace is deeply involved in community service
and educational outreach, serving:
• On the Board of Directors of Carson Valley Magic, a nonprofit supporting families with basic needs
• As a member of the Tahoe Women’s Community Fund,
a collective giving organization
• On the Program Development Committee for Between Horses and Humans (BHH), a local nonprofit focused
on youth development through horsemanship
Her work reflects a consistent belief: children thrive when learning feels safe, connected, and inclusive.
Her work reflects a consistent belief: children thrive when learning feels safe, connected, and inclusive.
Trevor Pipkin
Trevor Pipkin
Steward. Mentor. Advocate
for healing through animals.
Steward. Mentor. Advocate
for healing through animals.
Trevor grew up around large animals and developed a deep appreciation for their emotional intelligence and presence. As a young adult,
he participated in a program that paired horses with individuals facing personal challenges.
That experience became foundational in shaping
his values.
Trevor grew up around large animals and developed a deep appreciation for their emotional intelligence and presence. As a young adult,
he participated in a program that paired horses with individuals facing personal challenges.
That experience became foundational in shaping
his values.
Through working closely with horses, Trevor learned accountability, trust, communication,
and emotional awareness, lessons he now seeks
to help pass on to others.
Through working closely with horses, Trevor learned accountability, trust, communication,
and emotional awareness, lessons he now seeks
to help pass on to others.
Trevor serves as:
• Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Between Horses and Humans
Trevor serves as:
• Treasurer on the Board of Directors for Between Horses and Humans
Together, Grace and Trevor have each contributed over 400 volunteer hours supporting youth programs centered around growth, leadership, and connection.
Together, Grace and Trevor have each contributed over 400 volunteer hours supporting youth programs centered around growth, leadership, and connection.
They believe strongly that service, mental health, and family are core pillars of a healthy community, and Second Chance Ranch is a natural extension of those values.
They believe strongly that service, mental health, and family are core pillars of a healthy community, and Second Chance Ranch is a natural extension of those values.
Second Chance Ranch was created from a belief that animals and children have an extraordinary ability to help one another
Second Chance Ranch was created from a belief that animals and children have an extraordinary ability to help one another
heal when given the right environment.
heal when given the right environment.
Through education, intention, and care, 2CR offers a space where compassion is practiced, not taught, and where second chances lead to lifelong lessons.
Through education, intention, and care, 2CR offers a space where compassion is practiced, not taught, and where second chances lead to lifelong lessons.
A place where animals heal, and children learn
© second chance ranch 2026
A place where animals heal, and children learn
© second chance ranch 2026
A place where animals heal, and children learn
© second chance ranch 2026