When Dennis Rice walks the grounds of Dogwood Ranch in Rogersville, Missouri, he sees more than just 60 acres of land and 18 horses. He sees transformation happening daily — foster youth finding their voice, veterans healing from trauma and single mothers building new lives for their families.
But until recently, one basic necessity was missing: clean, safe water for everyone on the property.
A Ranch Built on Hope
Dogwood Ranch isn’t your typical equine facility. Property manager Dennis Rice oversees a unique operation that combines horses — including four miniatures and a donkey — with certified counseling services. Their equine therapy program pairs trained counselors with equine specialists to help clients work through trauma in a natural, therapeutic environment.
“The first program that was kind of founded and built around is our equine therapy program,” Rice said. Originally designed for the foster and adoption community, the program has expanded to serve military veterans and first responders. The ranch also runs a transitional living program, housing single mothers working to rebuild their lives.
An Unexpected Connection
The partnership began with a simple conversation. Dana Lopez, Dogwood Ranch’s CEO, mentioned to Rice that a friend at Moore Water had suggested an opportunity to bring a water purification system to the ranch.
“It just snowballed so fast,” Rice said. “It was a day or two later, all of a sudden it wasn’t ‘are we good candidates for it?’ — it was the system was coming.”
Moore Water& Air had learned about EcoWater’s 100 for 100 initiative at an industry convention. The program, celebrating EcoWater’s centennial, partners with local dealers to provide water systems to deserving organizations across the country. When Moore Water’s sales manager Justin Tims attended a benefit dinner at Dogwood Ranch, he immediately knew they had found the right recipient.
More Than Just Equipment
“We had heard about kids that didn’t want to talk to anybody, have been through traumatic situations,” said Matt Moore of Moore Water. “Through the horses, they’re opening up about their lives and completely changing. Just to be able to contribute to what they do out here is an honor.”
Brian Tapio from Moore Water echoed the sentiment: “With their displaced youth, the veterans’ association that they work with, and all the therapies that they provide — that was a no-brainer for us to give back to a program like that.”
The impact goes beyond the therapy programs. During installation, the team discovered a telling detail on one resident’s refrigerator: a grocery list with “two cases of water” written on it.
“The first thing he says is, ‘she’ll be marking that off the list,’” Rice said.
Going the Extra Mile
What truly set this partnership apart was the team’s commitment to serve everyone at the ranch. While the initial water system would cover most of the property, two residential cabins — home to participants in the transitional living program — wouldn’t be reached by the main installation.
The Moore Water and EcoWater teams didn’t hesitate. They dug trenches, laid new water lines, and installed filtration systems at each kitchen sink to ensure every resident would benefit.
“They said, ‘let’s make sure that they’re in there,’” Rice said. “We wanted to make sure that mama over there was included in having that water and taking care of her kiddo. That’s what I love being a part of — we’ll just do it for the one because that one matters.”
The Ripple Effect of Clean Water
For the families at Dogwood Ranch, the new water system means more than convenience. Justin Tims from Moore Water pointed out the practical impacts: “Having clean water to shower in and having clean water for the babies to be able to give them baths in. If you’re using formula, being able to mix healthy water that you know is safe is a big deal.”
The benefits extend to everything from laundry to daily hydration, but perhaps most importantly, it provides peace of mind.
“The biggest need for them was the peace of mind knowing that they got healthy water for everybody,” Tims explained.
A Gift That Keeps Giving
For a nonprofit organization where every dollar counts, the water treatment donation was transformative. Dana Lopez described it as “the most unexpected blessing.”
“As a nonprofit, every dollar matters. We really try to funnel those to direct impact,” Lopez said. “When you have a situation like this with such generosity and a company coming in to upgrade your water and air systems at no cost to you — it’s just absolutely unbelievable.”
Scott Seefeld of EcoWater emphasized that this is just one example of what the 100 for 100 program aims to accomplish nationwide. “It’s just nice to be able to give people healthy, clean water,” he said. “We’re really proud to be a part of this organization and to partner up with Moore Water & Air.”
A Philosophy of Service
For Justin Tims, who has worked exclusively with EcoWater products throughout his career, the project exemplifies what the partnership is all about.
“We do have the best equipment. There’s no doubt about it,” he said. “But it’s really special to be able to give back. EcoWater making the decision that they did for the 100 years and doing that is super special.”
The collaboration between Moore Water & Air, EcoWater, and Dogwood Ranch demonstrates how corporate giving programs can create meaningful change when they’re paired with local knowledge and genuine commitment to community impact.
Dennis Rice’s words capture the heart of the entire partnership: “It might be for some girls that just need to see that refreshing moment. It may be for this girl over here who needs some clean water for her and her baby. We’ll just do it for the one because that one matters.”
In a world where large-scale impact often dominates the conversation, this partnership is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful change happens one person, one family, one ranch at a time — starting with something as fundamental as clean water.
Through EcoWater’s 100 for 100 program and local partnerships like Moore Water & Air, organizations and worthy families across North America are receiving water treatment systems that improve daily life and allow nonprofits to redirect resources toward their core missions.