Meet The Founder

Richard Biancavilla AKA Dickie Whitehouse

My Journey to Create Ranch Dickie. A Place to Call Home.

As far back as I can remember, animals have played a special role in my life. When I was about 8 years old I would go to Tal’s service station where there was a greasy, dirty German Shepard, Rusty. I was hooked. I would play with him all afternoon. When I got home, I would be covered in grease. Mom was not happy, but Rusty and I were! From then on, my life has been blessed with numerous dogs, cats, hampsters, snakes, lizards and so many more.

After my successful career as an event florist, I started fostering dogs. I already had 3 of my own, what’s 25 more? I found so much joy and satisfaction in helping rehabilitate and rehome dogs in need, I wanted to merge this feeling with another one of my passions, helping homeless veterans. It just makes sense, these vulnerable creatures, whether four-legged or two-legged, share a common thread of struggle and resilience that binds them together in a world that often overlooks their inherent worth and value. Through compassion and empathy, we can foster a world where no one is left behind, where the paws and feet that tread upon uncertain paths find the warmth of a welcoming home. #operationbootsandpaws