The Three Amigos cross the United States

Hi my name is Matt Perella and I’ve been blessed with two of the worlds most amazing animals. “Buck” my buckskin quarter horse, and my rescue dog “Raffe” who is an Alaskan Malamute mixed with Australian Sheppard

Mission -  I am setting out to build “The Righteous Life Rescue Ranch” for retired horses and death row dogs. I want to provide the training for dogs with aggression problems so they can be donated to Veterans with PTSD as companion dogs. I will also rescue retired horses so they may live out their days in a comfortable sanctuary environment with plenty of space for horses to graze and run around like horses do. These horses will also be used for equine therapy for special needs people, Veterans with PTSD or to anyone who needs the comfort these majestic animals have to offer. 

Rescue and Refuge for Death Row Dogs – Training the dogs and training more dog trainers. Raffe my rescue dog was on death row in a shelter in Bloomfield CT. I found him on petfinder.com. He was in shelters for 3.5 yrs of his life. I had rescued him when he was almost 4 yrs old so he spent almost his entire life inside a cage. He developed a serious attitude to people while being in the shelter and started biting and attacking everyone. When I met him for the first time he was as wild as Wolf. I knew he was going to bite me in the process of rescuing him, but it was a small price to pay for being able to save the life of such a beautiful animal. 1 intense bite to my left arm and 4 months of training him myself, he has become completely adapted to living amongst society. Since rescuing him 1.5 yrs ago, I have made him my registered service dog so he can go absolutely everywhere with me. Everyone that sees Raffe lights up with joy, even more when getting to interact with him. His piercing white eyes, extremely fluffy black coat and super friendly personality melts the hearts of everyone that comes in contact with him. I have had many dogs in my life. Raffe is my first rescue dog and by far the best dog I’ve ever had. Think about how many dogs like Raffe are sitting in small cages for 24hrs a day for long periods of time because they can’t get the proper training. Training that will help them get adopted sooner and onward to living a good life with someone that deserves a good dog. Every dog can be a good dog with the right training and love. The trainers that trained Raffe taught him how to sit, lay down, and to not pull while walking on a leash. They could not break him of his super aggressive behavior in the 3.5 years they had him. After watching many aggressive dog training videos on YouTube it only took me 4 months to get him properly trained to becoming a registered service animal. So with the proper training he could have been out of the shelter way before his timeline. Many many dogs are in the same position as Raffe was. Thousands of beautiful, healthy, good-hearted dogs await their new owners, but just don’t have the right training to get noticed. I want to build an organization than will train and help thousands of dogs get out of shelters and into a new home. In addition to training the dogs that we take in at the Rescue Ranch, we will be training anyone interested in learning how to train abandoned or abused dogs with aggression problems. 

Rescue and Refuge for Retired Horses – Equine Therapy I have owned my horse, Buck, for 3.5 years and he has won the hearts of everyone in his community of East Longmeadow, MA. We ride for miles and miles around our local town and everyone that sees him gets an overwhelming sense of joy. We visit kids at the local schools and bus stops to brighten their days. He has had people ride him from ages 2 - 70yrs old with all different riding abilities. Buck couldn’t be more of an understanding horse to which kind of rider is on him, making sure it’s fun and not scary for the rider. Buck and most horses are rideable until they are 20-24yrs old. If healthy, they can live up to 30yrs old. Some healthy horses can have 10 years of life after they retire, but just because they can’t go on a trail ride anymore, pull a carriage, or help around the farm, doesn’t mean they have to be euthanized. They can still live fun, happy lives in the right place. I want to build this sanctuary because there are many horses being euthanized because there just isn’t enough funding or facilities for them. At the Righteous Life Rescue Ranch, retired horses will be loved and cared for, while being used for equine therapy for special needs people, Veterans with PTSD or to anyone who needs the comfort these majestic animals have to offer. Education In addition to taking in and training death row dogs and offering retired horses for equine therapy, the Righteous Life Rescue Ranch will have horses and ponies available for riding lessons for people of all ages who want to learn to ride a horse. There will be educational sessions about how to care for your horse before, during and after a ride. How to saddle and prepare the horse to be ridden, along with riding safety, and what to do if there is an emergency. In addition to the riding lessons, we will offer trail rides to teach children and people of all ages about how to enjoy nature on a horse. We will provide education on the various floral and fauna of the region, environmentally sound farming and growing practices on the ranch, the wildlife in the area, and how to stay safe while in nature (from wild animals, poisonous snakes, poisonous plants etc.) 

In order to raise awareness for this dream of mine, I am raising funds to help get things going – I will be seting out from Cape Henlopen Delaware on May 1st and will cross the entire United States ending in San Francisco California on the American Discovery Trail via the equestrian route. I will be riding Buck the entire journey as Raffe walks alongside us. I have set up a go fund me to raise funds for 1.) setting up my 501c3 charitable organization, and 2.) food for my animals on the journey, vet checks, tanks of gas for the safety vehicle that I will be close by at all times along on the journey. 

I am a former Marine, I know I have the heart and determination to complete this journey and I believe in my animals as well. I have no doubt Buck & Raffe will steal the hearts of the entire nation when we set out for this incredible feat ahead of us, which will help us be in a great position to purchase the land and launch the Righteous Life Rescue Ranch in 2023.

Or Venmo: Matthew-Perella