Meet Dena Scott of Buckeye Ridge Rescue and Retreat

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dena Scott.

Hi Dena , thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in a small rural town where life was simple, resources were limited, and creativity became my greatest escape. With big dreams and a sketchbook full of hope, I left for the city determined to build something meaningful.
For more than two decades, I built a successful career in the corporate world, earning a reputation for creative leadership and bringing people together. My work centered on connection, using innovation, strategy, and art to inspire teams and build culture. With a creative mind and a heart for healing, I’ve always dreamed big, chasing the fine details that turn good ideas into unforgettable experiences. I used my platform to advocate for our military, first responders, and animals, driven by a desire to give back. Every project, every person, every act of service has always been approached with intention, care, and a signature flair for the extraordinary. I didn’t leave corporate success behind, I redefined what success means. Now that energy is dedicated to the healing power of animals.

Animals and art have always been my safe place, my comfort in hard times, my quiet in chaotic moments, and my constant source of joy. That lifelong love, combined with a deep empathy for those in need, ultimately led me to leave the corporate world and set out on a journey across the country. I immersed myself in studying animal behavior and learning from wildlife sanctuaries, rescues, and experts, soaking up knowledge and building bonds with creatures great and small.
Through my travels I became deeply moved by the powerful, healing connection between animals and people, especially those facing trauma, disabilities, or emotional wounds. What began as a personal journey of discovery soon evolved into a mission.

Now I’m back where it all began, on country soil, bringing together my talents, my compassion, and my unwavering belief in second chances. What started out as a five-acre vision for service dogs, has now become a 100-acre dream with an extraordinary barn to fill with animals of all kinds, each with a role to play in helping others heal. I’m creating a one-of-a-kind sanctuary dedicated not only to saving animals but to transforming lives. At its heart, this work is about second chances. For animals. For people. And for anyone willing to believe that meaningful change often begins with something as simple as kindness. And through it all, I hope to remind everyone I meet that even the smallest act of compassion has the power to change the world.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been anything but a smooth road, but meaningful things rarely are.
The first challenge was simply finding the right property. After searching everywhere from Cleveland to Kentucky, I ultimately chose Buckeye Lake. The property we purchased was nearly three times my original budget, but I was fortunate to have family who believed deeply in the vision and were willing to stand beside me.
What we acquired, however, was far from turnkey. The land was overgrown with poison sumac, the pastures and ponds were tick-infested, and the barn revealed its own surprises, including a full-scale infestation of winged Japanese carpenter ants that, at one point, felt like something out of a horror film. Renovation quickly became restoration.
Remodeling a hundred-year-old home came with its own education. Every day uncovered another outdated system or structural issue. Drainage failures caused repeated flooding, requiring excavation and major infrastructure work. Just weeks before our grand opening, every fish in our four stocked ponds died unexpectedly, creating a setback that was both emotional and logistical. There were moments that tested every ounce of resolve.
Then came record-breaking winters. There were 2 a.m. walks to the barn to break ice so animals had water, extra hay runs to help regulate warmth, and the kind of exhaustion that comes from knowing lives depend on you.
Beyond the physical challenges, there were human ones. Building something mission-driven requires trust, and I learned, sometimes the hard way, that not everyone shares the same integrity or intention. Leadership, I discovered, is as much about discernment as it is about vision.
On a personal level, I was navigating a divorce while building this organization from the ground up. There were moments when I was asked, sometimes subtly and sometimes not, “Where’s the man?” As if a project of this scale required one. Those experiences only strengthened my resolve. I didn’t need permission to build something extraordinary.
If anything, the road has shaped the mission. Every obstacle reinforced why this work matters. Resilience isn’t theoretical here, it’s lived daily. And that resilience has become part of the foundation.

As you know, we’re big fans of Buckeye Ridge Rescue and Retreat. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Where Luxury Meets Purpose: This 100-Acre Retreat Near Buckeye Lake is Redefining Rural Getaways.
Set across 100 acres of rolling countryside near Buckeye Lake, The Pines blends the tranquility of nature with the indulgence of a private luxury estate. Guests enjoy exclusive access to four serene ponds for fishing and kayaking, miles of scenic hiking trails, curated bonfire gatherings beneath expansive skies, and sunsets that feel almost cinematic. Private animal encounters, including the beloved Highland cow cuddles, offers a rare, heartwarming connection to farm life, while the residence itself features five beautifully appointed bedrooms with en-suite baths, a fully equipped gym and sauna, and thoughtfully designed spaces for rest and renewal. From signature hot tub spa rituals to private chef dining experiences, every detail is intentionally crafted to create an immersive escape that feels both elevated and deeply personal.
But what truly sets The Pines apart is that it exists for something greater.
More than a traditional bed and breakfast, The Pines at Buckeye Ridge operates as a private estate retreat designed for executive gatherings, intentional celebrations, and restorative weekend escapes, all while serving as the primary funding engine for Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the healing connection between rescued animals and the people who need them most.
Each reservation directly supports the rescue, rehabilitation, and lifelong care of animals who become partners in therapeutic and wellness programming. Through carefully developed initiatives serving veterans, first responders, children, and individuals impacted by trauma, disability, or life challenges, the sanctuary creates space for emotional restoration, confidence-building, and renewed purpose.
In essence, guests don’t just visit The Pines, they participate in its mission. Every stay contributes to a model where luxury fuels compassion, hospitality sustains healing, and rural retreat becomes a catalyst for meaningful impact.
That dual identity, elevated estate experience and purpose-driven sanctuary, is what defines the brand. It is hospitality with heart, refinement with responsibility, and a destination where indulgence and impact coexist beautifully.

What are your plans for the future?
The future of The Pines is focused on intentional growth and deeper impact.
We are expanding our mid-week executive and wellness retreat offerings, creating structured experiences that combine luxury hospitality with nature-based restoration. These retreats will integrate guided programming, animal-assisted engagement, and curated estate amenities in a way that feels both elevated and transformative.
On the nonprofit side, we are developing expanded therapeutic initiatives for veterans, first responders, and ‘at-risk’ children, along with enhanced training programs to ensure our rescued animals are properly supported as partners in healing work. Our long-term vision includes the development of dedicated program spaces, expanded pasture restoration, and additional infrastructure that allows the sanctuary to operate sustainably for decades to come.
We are also focused on strengthening community partnerships and cultivating a strong donor and membership base to ensure Buckeye Ridge Rescue & Retreat remains financially sound and mission-driven.
Ultimately, the goal isn’t rapid expansion, it’s refinement. We’re building something designed to last. A legacy property. A sanctuary model where luxury fuels purpose and hospitality becomes a vehicle for healing.
What I’m most looking forward to is watching this vision mature, seeing guests return not just for the beauty of the estate, but because they feel connected to something meaningful happening here.
The future of The Pines isn’t about becoming bigger. It’s about becoming deeper, stronger, and more impactful with every season.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://buckeyeridge.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buckeyeridgerescue/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578576921951