I wish to visit a dude ranch!
Olivia
8
Liver transplant
Olivia's Dude Ranch Wish
At just 8 years old, Olivia already knows exactly who she is: a cowgirl at heart. Horses aren’t just a passing phase for her—they’ve been part of her life since she was three years old. She’s fallen off, been stepped on, and gotten back up every time with an even bigger smile.
Her dad, John, laughs that “every party is horses, everything.” From decorations to daydreams, Olivia’s world is filled with saddles, trails, and wide-open pastures. She rides with confidence, cares for animals with joy, and dreams of the day she can barrel race and rodeo like the cowgirls she admires.
For Olivia, the love of horses isn’t just a hobby. It’s her passion, her freedom, and her dream for the future.
Small, But Mighty!
Olivia’s bright smile and cowgirl spirit have carried her through some of life’s toughest challenges. When she was just a few weeks old, doctors diagnosed her with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that blocks the bile ducts and damages the liver. At only 10 weeks old, she underwent her first surgery, and by 22 months she needed a liver transplant.
In total, Olivia has endured 17 surgeries and spent more than a year and a half in the hospital. There were moments when her transplant even began to fail, but through it all she fought back with incredible courage.
Her dad calls her “the toughest human I ever met,” and it’s easy to see why. Even though being immunosuppressed means she gets sick more easily than other kids, Olivia refuses to let limits define her. She’s bold, determined, and always ready for the next adventure.
Life on the Ranch
When it came time to choose her wish, Olivia knew exactly what she wanted: a real-deal dude ranch experience in the mountains of Colorado.
From the moment the family arrived at Black Mountain Ranch, they were welcomed like family. Olivia was paired with wranglers who guided her through days filled with adventure: trail rides, challenges, and wide-open fields that felt like they stretched forever.
Each night, she watched in awe as more than a hundred horses thundered across the pasture, a nightly stampede that took her breath away. During the days, she tried her hand at her cowgirl skills and even roped her very first calf. “I heel roped it, first try!” she beamed.
Her favorite part was clear: “going on trail rides and doing the challenges.” From sunup to sundown, it was clear Olivia was in her element.
Her dad remembered the look on her face when she first saw the herd of horses gathered together. “You were dumbfounded. You were awestruck,” he said. For her mom, Heather, the best part was simply watching Olivia “being the happiest she’s ever been, like being able to ride all day—they treated her like she was family.”
The Best Souvenir
For Olivia and her parents, the week at the ranch was more than just a vacation. It was their first true family trip—one that didn’t revolve around hospital stays or clinic visits. It gave them time together, space to breathe, and memories they knew they’d carry forever.
But the story didn’t end when they left Colorado. Just a few weeks later, the ranch called with news that would change everything: the horse Olivia had bonded with—her steady partner on those long trail rides—was retiring. Would Olivia like to give him a forever home?
The answer was an easy yes. Soon after, Newt arrived in Florida, not as a souvenir, but as part of the family. Olivia now spends her days riding and caring for him, living out her dream of being a true cowgirl.
Heather reflected, “It honestly was the best thing we’ve ever done…she got to live out her dream.” And Olivia summed it up with the simple determination of a girl who knows exactly who she is: “That is my goal in life, to do something with horses for the rest of my life—until I die.”
More Than a Wish
Olivia’s wish didn’t just give her a week in the mountains, it gave her a lifelong source of joy, strength, and purpose. What began as a dream trip to Colorado turned into something far greater: her first family vacation, the gift of her own horse, and the courage to keep chasing her cowgirl dreams.
Her story is a reminder of what every wish can do. It’s not just about a moment of happiness—it’s about creating lasting hope and opening new possibilities for children facing critical illnesses.
Every child like Olivia deserves the chance to dream big and see those dreams come true. You can help make that possible by donating, volunteering, or attending a local event with Make-A-Wish Central & Northern Florida®.
Together, we can keep saddling up hope—one child, one family, one wish at a time.