Help a Disabled Veteran Family Fight HOA Injustice

Hi, everyone. As the mother and mother-in-law of 100% disabled Army veterans, I am writing to raise awareness about mental health, expose abuse of power by leaders, specifically members of the La Ventana Board of Directors of the Ranch Owners Association (ROA), and assist my family in paying attorney fees in preparation for trial. My son, Jakob and daughter in law, Stephanie are being sued by their ROA for having ducks as emotional support animals. Stephanie medically retired following a combat tour as a Logistics Captain, and Jakob completed two combat tours as a Special Forces enabler. Here’s their story.

They moved to Texas Hill Country in October 2022, with hopes of a better future for them and their 2 small children, Iliad (3) and Cillian (1). In the spring of 2023, Jakob had a conversation with the ROA’s president, before the ducks were acquired. The Board President advised Jake that either him or Stephanie should get a letter from one of their therapists in case a neighbor complained. They got ducks shortly after that conversation in April 2023. In June 2024 the former property management company, Goodwin & Co, sent them a courtesy notice due to a complaint from their next door neighbor stating they could only have 6 ducks vs the amount of 13 they had. That week, Jakob and Stephanie sent an email requesting reasonable accommodation to the ROA Board and property management company. In July 2024 the ROA’s attorney, Adam Pugh responded by saying “The Association will need additional information regarding your non-observable disability and whether the ducks provide therapeutic emotional support with respect to your specific disability. We would encourage you to review the Guidance on Documenting an Individual’s Need for Assistance Animals in Housing available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development as to what should be provided. The Association does not have sufficient information to show you have a disability, or that ducks are an appropriate treatment for the same, at this time. Additionally, the Association is requesting that you provide information showing a relationship or connection between the disability and the need for the ducks. Specifically, since ducks are not commonly kept in households, you have the substantial burden of demonstrating a disability related therapeutic need for the specific type of animal requested. In this instance, the Association is requesting that you provide documentation showing why twenty ducks, instead of another type of animal that is allowed in the Association etc”. Stephanie submitted a letter from her therapist verifying the use of the ducks for her PTSD symptoms and unfortunately, in August 2024 the ROA filed a lawsuit against Jakob and Stephanie due to their therapeutic ducks. I would like to clarify that Jake and Stephanie never had 20 ducks; they initially had 13 and now have 12 after one of them tragically passed away in October 2024.

A reasonable accommodation was not provided to them until late September 2024, after a lawsuit had been initiated. The terms of the accommodation permitted the keeping of two ducks inside the main dwelling and allowed for twice-daily outdoor excursions of up to two hours.

Note that this all occurred after obtaining permission from the La Ventana ROA President to acquire the ducks, and subsequently receiving a courtesy notice from Goodwin & Co to limit the number of ducks to six. I’d also like to add the Board of Directors were fully aware of the ducks' presence on the property since the beginning and they were given complimentary duck eggs multiple times.

A once-supportive neighborhood has turned against a veteran family, causing them to lose friendships due to fabricated drama. The ROA is falsely claiming that Jakob and Stephanie are using their veteran status to justify keeping ducks, and the family is facing constant harassment from the ROA and PS Property Management Company, the current management company. This has led to the installation of comprehensive security measures in their home, as they no longer feel safe. Neighbors are photographing their property constantly, and baseless rumors are being spread, including malicious emails sent by PS Property Management Company to discredit Stephanie during her ROA board election campaign.

Their dream house is currently on the market and they are enthusiastically awaiting the opportunity to relocate.

My ask of y’all is to please share their story so light is shed on the injustices they continue to face. Thank you for reading. Thank you for sharing. And, thank you for your contribution.