A strong-willed woman with a painful past hires a ranch hand for her

animal therapy facility who, along with his young autistic son, bring
her healing and hope.

SYNOPSIS:

Kate is a strong-willed but emotionally damaged woman who trains therapy

dogs for the deaf and runs an equine therapy ranch for autistic and

disabled children. Her work displays depth and empathy, but her personal

life is a walled-off psyche. A new ranch hand, the single parent of an

autistic son, opens Kate to the possibilities of a rich life beyond the

pain of her past.

Turner is the single parent of an 8-year-old autistic boy who has an

affinity toward animals. Turner, a construction contractor who can no

longer find work in his field because Charlie isn’t able to attend

school or be left with others, shows up at Kate's ranch hoping to secure

a pet therapy dog for Charlie. Turner lands work in a trade-out deal

with Kate, the intractable owner of the ranch.

Both Kate and Turner find themselves in their 30’s buried in complex

emotional layers. Kate has shoved her feelings so deeply as to allow for

complicated Search and Rescue work with her trusted dog Hank. For her

own part, Kate is like Charlie - better with animals than people. Turner

at times is overwhelmed as a single dad, but remains caring and

patient. He hasn’t become bitter by his losses and challenges – just

weary.

Kate is an accomplished business woman who needs this new hired hand.

She begrudgingly takes Turner on at her ranch, who then quickly becomes

an integral part of the daily business of tending to the horses and

training dogs. Many of the dogs, once destined for euthanasia before

being rescued by Kate from a local animal shelter, are trained by

prisoners for their new roles in therapy assistance.

Turner and Kate are each in turn sensitive and prickly. As they butt up

against each other the layers begin to peel away revealing their

back-stories. We learn Turner’s wife left him four years ago because she

was unable to handle the difficulties of Charlie’s emotional, social

and educational needs.

It was eight years ago that Kate lost a son in childbirth when she was

forced to deliver her mare’s foal alone in a storm. Later, Turner finds

out this horrific loss happened the same night Kate's husband was killed

as a soldier in Afghanistan.

These two independent but hurting people find they understand each other

like others cannot who haven’t experienced the deep painful trials of

grief and loss.

A natural with animals, young Charlie blossoms around the horse and dog

therapy work. With understanding and guidance from trusted staff members

Old John and instructor Heather, along with a few helpful nudges

wrapped in Irish charm from Ranch Manager Mica, Kate and Turner’s

tentative relationship also thrives. They each experience some setbacks

along the way, especially considering Charlie’s emotional limitations.

But with patience, hope and perseverance all three begin to heal, open

their hearts, and ultimately form a new blended family.