Healing happens here. For you—and for those who’ve served.
Our story
Saint Agnes was created as a place for rest, connection, and healing—but the heart behind this farm runs much deeper.
After watching her son return home from military service carrying the invisible weight that so many veterans face, Catherine felt called to create something that gives back in a meaningful way. What began as a peaceful Montana retreat has become part of a larger mission to support healing for those who have served.
Every donation made through Saint Agnes helps support Warriors & Quiet Waters, a Montana nonprofit providing transformative healing experiences for post-9/11 combat veterans.
A stay that gives back.
Whether you're here for mountain air, slow mornings, or some much-needed nervous system regulation courtesy of Betty & Judy, supporting Saint Agnes also means supporting a bigger mission: healing for veterans.
“Freedom is never free.”
-Unknown
Catherine Owens
Catherine Owens is the heart behind Saint Agnes Farmhouse in Whitefish, Montana. A former teacher, mother of six, and grandmother of seven, she spent more than three decades raising her family before discovering a new calling: sharing the joy of animals with others.
It all began in the fall of 2019, when Catherine, her husband Mark, and their two youngest daughters were hiking the Camino de Santiago through the Pyrenees. Along the way, they fell in love with sheep—an unexpected encounter that would shape their family’s next chapter. Back in Montana, their daughter Mary joined 4-H and began raising lambs. By 2020, the family was searching for more land and found the property that would become Saint Agnes Farmhouse.
Catherine and Mark restored the original home, built a barn, and welcomed Highland cows Betty and Judy, named after the sisters in White Christmas. When a video of the pair went viral, people began reaching out to meet them. Soon, parents, grandparents, and children were gathering at the farm to brush the cows, offer treats, and enjoy a little time together. What began as a family’s love for animals became something Catherine hadn’t planned: a ministry of connection, generosity, and joy.
Supporting veterans is especially close to Catherine’s heart. One of her sons serves as a major in the U.S. Army, and another served for three years. As a military mother, she recognizes that leaving military life can bring challenges that others may never see. That personal connection inspired her to establish the Saint Agnes Foundation, with proceeds from cow cuddling helping support veterans as they transition to civilian life.
Through the foundation, Catherine is committed to supporting organizations such as Warriors and Quiet Waters in Bozeman, which serves post-9/11 combat veterans, while building connections with veteran organizations in the Flathead Valley. Her vision is also deeply personal and hands-on: welcoming veterans onto the farm to work with their hands, feed and care for the animals, and find moments of peace and connection.
With Mark’s steady support, Catherine continues to build a place where people feel welcome and the animals bring smiles. Guided by her faith and a love of serving others, her purpose remains simple: bring joy, one animal at a time.