OUR STORY

Our story at Twisted Pines Ranch begins say hmmmm 30 years ago, when Wil and Kristin became neighbors in the cozy, rural northwest suburbs of Chicagoland. Kristin grew up in an animal-loving family that would put a pet store shame! With a plethora of furry (and not-so-furry) friends, including dogs, bunnies, ferrets, hedgehogs, reptiles and even a potbelly pig named Boaris. Meanwhile, Wil was next door, surrounded by a mix of dogs, cats and other pets, probably plotting their future adventures together.

As the years rolled by, Wil and Kristin became inseparable, bonding over their shared love of animals and their strong foundation and family upbringing. They decided to tie the knot and bought their first home on a sprawling 3+ acres in Cary, IL. During their property exploration, they stumbled upon a unique pair of Scotch Pine trees that had grown in an enchanted spiral, leading them to name their new abode Twisted Pines. They quickly accumulated a small zoo of pets, including various breeds of dogs, cats, rabbits and chickens—because why not add a few more mouths to feed?

Dreaming of a bigger playground for their animal kingdom, Kristin managed a veterinary clinic mastering the fine art of animal oversight. Meanwhile, Wil was busy climbing the construction ladder with aspirations of owning his own company one day. In 2016, they took the plunge, leaving behind their Midwest friends and family to chase dreams of a larger property (and probably more) in sunny Colorado.

Before long, they welcomed their three little adventurers—Case, Colt and Riley—into the mix, completing their family of five. Fast forward to 2023, and voila! They purchased 20 acres in Elizabeth, CO. Wil wasted no time building fences and animal enclosures, ready for the inevitable chaos. First up, the dog crew claimed their territory, followed closely by donkeys, cows, barn cats and of course, chickens—because every ranch needs some clucking companions. As their animals frolicked across the 20-acre wonder, they discovered it was filled with Ponderosa Pines, inspiring the perfect name: Twisted Pines Ranch. Welcome to the wild side!