Meet Our Founders
The Carreker's are the visionaries behind Rustic Way Ranch, driven by a profound personal connection to mental wellness and equine-assisted activities. Their passion for helping teens stems from their own transformative journeys with anxiety and depression, inspiring their commitment to offering hope and healing to others.
“No matter how you feel, Get Up. Look Up. Show Up. Never Give Up.”
- UNKNOWN
Brooke Carreker
Co-Founder, Executive Director
Brooke's passion for helping others who struggle with mental health stems from her own 20+ year struggle with depression and anxiety. In 2018, Brooke discovered the effectiveness of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. After experiencing transformational healing effects produced through interaction with horses and nature, Brooke, along with her husband, Court, began to explore the idea of what would become Rustic Way Ranch.
Brooke was primarily raised in Plano, Texas. She graduated from Trinity Christian Academy and went on to receive a B.A. in Communications from Baylor University. After an early career in commercial real-estate, Brooke moved to Chicago and stayed home to raise her four daughters. After a divorce and several years as a single parent, Brooke married for a second time. Since 2014, she has worked for and been involved with several non-profit organizations in the North Dallas metroplex.
Brooke is married to Court Carreker. Together, they are raising their six teenage children. Yes, they are a blended family of eight in all! Rustic Way Ranch started out as a family operation; one that will hopefully bless many other families in years to come.
Court Carreker
Co-founder, Facilities Director
While Court has not had his own struggles with mental health, he has been a faithful supporter of his wife, Brooke, and has seen just how much one person’s struggles can affect an entire family. He witnessed the transformation in Brooke when she benefitted from equine-assisted therapy in 2018, and he has been an advocate for this holistic approach to mental wellness ever since.
Court was raised in Dallas, Texas. He graduated from Trinity Christian Academy and went on to receive a B.S. in Marketing from Baylor University. Court worked for a non-profit in Plano, Texas for several years. Now, in addition to managing the ranch facilities, he works at Tractor Supply Company in McKinney, Texas.
Throughout the last two decades, his greatest joy has been time spent with his family. Court eagerly serves anyone else who expresses a need. Brooke often says of him, “He has a heart the size of Texas,” and anyone who has met Court knows that is the truth!
“Live today facing forward with your back on yesterday, your eyes on tomorrow, and your head
and heart in the moment.”
- UNKNOWN
The Carreker Family
This vibrant family would be the first to say: They have not “figured it all out”. Embracing life with its highs and lows, the Carreker's are a testament to authenticity and resilience. They confront life's challenges head-on, from financial struggles to the complexities of navigating blended family dynamics and lingering effects of past divorces.
Central to their journey is a strong bond of unconditional love and support. Despite ongoing battles with depression and anxiety, they embody perseverance. Depression, at times, brings despair, and anxiety can reach overwhelming heights, yet their philosophy is to keep moving forward, whether by the day or hour.
There was a time when hope seemed distant for the Carreker's. Through family counseling, equine therapy, and the healing power of nature, they found their path to recovery. This transformation from brokenness to healing is at the heart of Rustic Way Ranch, reflecting the mission to nurture resilience and mental wellness in others.
Support Our Cause
Your financial support makes the mission of Rustic Way Ranch possible. Kids can have a
brighter future because of you.