Local resident brings wounded veterans to Montana ranch for therapeutic respite through Howling Wolf Ranch Foundation

By Diane Y. Welch

The entrance to Howling Wolf Ranch in Montana.

With his retirement from the world of finance in 1994, Rancho Santa Fe resident William Cohen turned his attention to helping others and now his compassion is focused on the nation's “wounded warriors.”
Last year Cohen purchased an almost square mile of property just outside of Livingston, Montana, to give a therapeutic respite for Marines, army and navy personnel wounded in action.
The ranch, named Howling Wolf Ranch, is a peaceful, natural wonderland, and represents a dream come true for Cohen, who wants to give back to his country.
“I had a terrific Wall Street career, and it was very good to me. Then when I retired I decided that I wanted to do something other than just for myself, I wanted to show my gratitude,” explained Cohen in a recent interview.
“I started to look for a suitable ranch and I found, in May of last year, property 19 miles outside of Livingston, Montana.” The 520-acre property features a lake stocked with rainbow trout and some of the rawest, most majestic scenery in the country, Cohen said.
On the property sits a 5,000-sq.-ft. two-story lodge, built seven years ago, with six bedrooms, four full bathrooms and plenty of space for a pool room. It will sleep up to 16 people, although for comfort, Cohen will accommodate four guests at a time.
“The tentative schedule is to bring out four wounded warriors for a six-day stay, starting mid June, and bringing a group of four out every other week until the beginning of October,” Cohen said. A total of nine groups will be served annually, with mild weather conditions dictating the length of the season.
The ranch is in close proximity to the Yellowstone River.
“We are really going to focus around fishing as one of the daytime activities,” Cohen said. “The fly fishing up there is spectacular. We'll have at least two full days of fishing—drift boat fishing—with an instructor who will command the boat and give instruction on how to fly fish.”
The ranch will also offer all terrain vehicle riding, trout fishing in the lake, trap shooting, horseshoes, hiking and canine entertainment courtesy of Cohen's two labradors, Stanley and Bozeman. One day will be spent going to Yellowstone Park, evenings will be spent on dining out, cooking up barbecues and shooting pool. Cohen is also building a barn to stable horses and will offer horseback riding to those who have an interest.
Hosting those less fortunate in a Montana-based ranch is not a new concept for Cohen. He originated the Howling Wolf Ranch Foundation in 1997 and within two years had purchased a ranch in Whitefish, Montana, to bring out families through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Make-A-Wish serves families with children who have life-threatening medical conditions.
“I love kids and I thought that this would be something that I could do that would be really beneficial for these sick kids,” said Cohen, who granted the wishes to those requesting a dude ranch stay or western-style vacation.
During a week's stay he provided food, lodging, riding, and recreation, all free of charge, to many families over a five-year period. However, it was necessary to sell the ranch in 2003, when Cohen moved to New York due to his family responsibilities. He returned to his home in Rancho Santa Fe a few years later.
Cohen was born in Los Angeles, and grew up and attended school in Orange County where he also undertook a four-year degree course with a major in finance during the early 1970s. On graduating he was offered a job with a large Wall Street firm in its Newport Beach branch, in the bond side of the business, and soon rose to managing director, he said.
“Then, when our firm closed down in 1994, I decided that I'd done enough after 22 years and made the decision to retire. I never went back,” he recalled.
Cohen now hopes he can make a difference in the lives of wounded veterans.
With two wars going on there has been a surge in severe casualties, said Cohen. "It's just heartbreaking," he added. The impact of these “wounded warriors”— as Cohen refers to the injured veterans — struck deeply and with his Howling Wolf Foundation already in place, and an impassioned advisory board already willing to serve, his dream to help in their rehabilitation became a reality.
The Naval Hospital in San Diego has been cooperating with Cohen and has agreed to select the veterans able to make the flight up to Montana for the six-day stay.
“The soldiers that we will bring out to the ranch are still in the military, and are in rehabilitation at the Naval Hospital in San Diego,” Cohen explained. “I was asked if I could take double amputees, and I said that I could, if somebody comes out with them to assist. And they said that was fine.”
Cohen is now reaching out to those who would like to contribute to his Howling Wolf Ranch Foundation, a legal 501c 3 designated charity. All monies donated will be tax deductible and will go toward the benefit of the wounded veterans, stressed Cohen. Funds are required to help off-set the air travel costs and the cost of the drift boat excursion. Based on 36 guests that figure is close to $50,000 a year, said Cohen, who will fund all other expenses connected with the stay. Volunteers who have a love of nature and compassion for wounded servicemen are also welcome to stay. “Our vets are truly deserving of this wonderful experience,” he added, “and even a little help will go a long way to their recovery.”
To make a donation or to find out more about Howling Wolf Ranch Foundation, visit the website www.howlingwolfranch.com or call William Cohen at (858) 759-8947.