Jamie Breidenbach has an extensive background working with children of all ages. As one of the oldest in a family of six children, the responsibility of caring for the younger ones often fell to her. She volunteered in her church’s nursery, had multiple babysitting jobs, volunteered as a YMCA soccer coach, and then took a job as a Junior Camp Counselor for the Missoula YMCA. Jamie worked for the YMCA for two summers (one as a junior camp counselor, and one as a camp counselor) before heading off to Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA.
While in school at WWU she volunteered with Animals as Natural Therapy (ANT). Jamie grew up around horses and riding was favorite childhood activity. Using horses and horsemanship to help at-risk people heal, strengthened her already vital relationship with horses.
As Jamie neared completion of her degree, she was asked by her family, “What exactly are you going to do with your Recreation degree?” She began to dream about owning her own business: a community-oriented place where people could experience western ranch and Native American cultures and the environment through hands-on learning; a place with an organic garden and lots of animals that could be used for programs to demonstrate where our food comes from.
Jamie obtained her degree and returned to Missoula to be closer to family and back in the town she loves. It wasn’t long after returning that she landed what she thought was the job for her at the Missoula YMCA. She got to RUN the summer camp that had ignited her desire to get a Recreation Management degree and work for an organization that was close to her heart. After a mere 6 months on the job, she got laid-off.
As they say, when one door closes another opens.
That opening door was Dunrovin Ranch. Dunrovin has many components of her dream business. She is a perfect fit. Jamie has strengthened existing children’s programs and created new ones; she is outdoors and around animals all day, which she loves; she enjoys the wide variety of tasks that her work entails; and she now has a large group of fans among the kids who love to spend time with her at Dunrovin.