MEET THE FOUNDER
Founder, CEO & Visionary Director
BRENDA LONG
Founder, CEO & Visionary Director
Brenda Long — A Life of Faith, Family, and Purpose
Brenda and her husband, Steve, married in 1990 and joyfully blended their beautiful families. Together, they share seven children, twenty‑eight grandchildren, and seven great‑grandchildren — a legacy that continues to grow in love, laughter, and faith. A native of rural Iowa, Brenda has also lived in California, Texas, and Kansas, ultimately returning to the wide‑open spaces of her Iowa roots. Today, she and Steve enjoy country living alongside their beloved family pets.
Raised on a central Iowa farm as one of eight siblings, Brenda’s early years shaped her deep appreciation for the Lord, hard work, community, and compassion. She remains an active member of Heartland Church and previously served her community as a local real estate agent for more than 17 years. Since 1993, she and Steve have owned and operated multiple businesses, including Steve’s wholesale meat company and various real estate ventures. In her spare time, Brenda delights in her family, reading, and lifelong learning.
Brenda’s experience is both extensive and deeply personal. Education has been vital, but her real‑life journey has provided profound insight into trauma, resilience, and the needs within our communities. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Brenda understands firsthand the injustice faced by vulnerable children. Her history includes serving in the CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) program for at‑risk youth, volunteering with safe homes for young women, and providing 13 years of foster care alongside her husband.
Her commitment to trauma‑informed care is strengthened by extensive training with The Institute of Survivor Care, Mercy Multiplied, Thistle Farms, and Wellspring Living. Brenda remains steadfast in her mission to stay educated, informed, and equipped to serve survivors with excellence, dignity, and continuity of care.
Brenda's love for the Lord and compassion for people compelled her to deepen her foundation. Brenda is a graduate of JSMI School of World Evangelism in Fort Worth, Texas, and holds ministry credentials through Heartland Alliance in Ankeny, Iowa. Her life reflects a calling to restore hope, champion healing, and walk alongside those seeking safety and a renewed future.
"The belief that everyone is born on purpose for a purpose was the driving force behind my prayerful pursuit of the purpose of my own life. In late January 2015, I found my answer and started the journey of walking in my God-given, God-ordained destiny. Garden Gate Ranch was birthed out of that pursuit, combining an endless passion for God with a deep compassion for His people."
FUZZY
Emotional Support Dog
Fuzzy the sheepadoodle was born on March 1, 2024. He’s a friendly boy who loves playing fetch and meeting new people. His role at Garden Gate Ranch is to bring comfort and smiles to all—a job at which he excels every day!
COCOA & BREEZE
Emotional Support Horses
Breezy and Cocoa are Rocky Mountain mares who joined the GGR staff in the summer of 2024. The relationship between our residents and the horses is quite unique. A horse’s sensitivity to human emotions gives them a distinct ability to connect on a different level and provide immediate feedback to an individual, creating a strong bond between the two. This bond can help promote trust, communication, emotional regulation, and much more, making it an effective treatment option for individuals with mental health disorders, substance use disorders, physical health conditions, and those who have experienced trauma. Breezy and Cocoa love their home here at Garden Gate Ranch.