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Sanctuary: a place of healing and safety
Thousands of horses are abused, neglected, unwanted, or brought to auction
each year. Some eventually find loving, permanent homes while others are
less fortunate and end up victim to mistreatment, or possibly, slaughter.
The Double R Heart Ranch is home to Whisper's Sanctuary, a safe residence
for horses and other animals in need. Living in a "disposable" society where
appearance and achievement are valued, many animals that are considered
less than perfect are discarded. We believe that every animal can benefit
from a loving, accepting environment.
Horses seem especially prone to adverse treatment, possibly due to their
reliance on humans since being domesticated. Horses are often repeatedly
bought and sold during their lifetimes. This can be due to the reality of time
and expense of horse ownership, changes in a horse owner's circumstances,
or a horse no longer meeting an owner's needs. Horses sometimes encounter
homes where they are abused, neglected or mistreated, or even people with
good intentions who simply do not know or understand how to care for a
horse.
Mission:
Provide a place of peace and healing for unwanted and formerly abused
animals, animals considered "unadoptable" by local rescues and shelters,
retired service animals, and those in need of a second chance.
Goal:
- Offer a "forever home" where animals can live, heal, and contribute to the
community.
Programs:
- Forever HERO (humane equine retirement options): an educational program
for children that promotes responsible and informed horse ownership, and
resources for older/injured horse retirement to prevent abuse, neglect, and
sending horses to slaughter.
- Arizona Equine Sanctuary and Rescue Network: a resource to link horses
needing homes with individuals looking for a horse.
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: the horses contribute to society by helping
people heal and achieve personal growth through therapeutic programs.
Anyone who thinks an unrideable horse can't be useful must participate in a
program such as this. The profound impact the sanctuary horses have made
on the lives of participants has been amazing.
Purpose:
- Residents are provided with a safe environment in which to live, healthy
nourishment, fresh air, peaceful surroundings, and loving care
Why? We believe that providing for an animal's basic needs is part of the
process of rehabilitating those who have been abused and neglected. It is a
precursor to re-establishing trust and a sense of predictability and stability.
It also allows an animal to transcend past issues and become one's best self.
- Animals participate in Sanctuary activities, where each one has a job based
upon individual talents and abilities. An animal may act as a companion, be
part of the welcoming team for new residents, educate visitors, or participate
in animal assisted psychotherapy.
Why? We believe that having a job restores dignity and a sense of purpose,
and gives each animal a sense of belonging while "giving back" to the
community.
Thousands of horses are abused, neglected, unwanted, or brought to auction
each year. Some eventually find loving, permanent homes while others are
less fortunate and end up victim to mistreatment, or possibly, slaughter.
The Double R Heart Ranch is home to Whisper's Sanctuary, a safe residence
for horses and other animals in need. Living in a "disposable" society where
appearance and achievement are valued, many animals that are considered
less than perfect are discarded. We believe that every animal can benefit
from a loving, accepting environment.
Horses seem especially prone to adverse treatment, possibly due to their
reliance on humans since being domesticated. Horses are often repeatedly
bought and sold during their lifetimes. This can be due to the reality of time
and expense of horse ownership, changes in a horse owner's circumstances,
or a horse no longer meeting an owner's needs. Horses sometimes encounter
homes where they are abused, neglected or mistreated, or even people with
good intentions who simply do not know or understand how to care for a
horse.
Mission:
Provide a place of peace and healing for unwanted and formerly abused
animals, animals considered "unadoptable" by local rescues and shelters,
retired service animals, and those in need of a second chance.
Goal:
- Offer a "forever home" where animals can live, heal, and contribute to the
community.
Programs:
- Forever HERO (humane equine retirement options): an educational program
for children that promotes responsible and informed horse ownership, and
resources for older/injured horse retirement to prevent abuse, neglect, and
sending horses to slaughter.
- Arizona Equine Sanctuary and Rescue Network: a resource to link horses
needing homes with individuals looking for a horse.
- Equine Assisted Psychotherapy: the horses contribute to society by helping
people heal and achieve personal growth through therapeutic programs.
Anyone who thinks an unrideable horse can't be useful must participate in a
program such as this. The profound impact the sanctuary horses have made
on the lives of participants has been amazing.
Purpose:
- Residents are provided with a safe environment in which to live, healthy
nourishment, fresh air, peaceful surroundings, and loving care
Why? We believe that providing for an animal's basic needs is part of the
process of rehabilitating those who have been abused and neglected. It is a
precursor to re-establishing trust and a sense of predictability and stability.
It also allows an animal to transcend past issues and become one's best self.
- Animals participate in Sanctuary activities, where each one has a job based
upon individual talents and abilities. An animal may act as a companion, be
part of the welcoming team for new residents, educate visitors, or participate
in animal assisted psychotherapy.
Why? We believe that having a job restores dignity and a sense of purpose,
and gives each animal a sense of belonging while "giving back" to the
community.
Some Sanctuary Residents
It has been said that each person has a story to tell, and the recounting of that
story is, of itself, a way to heal and form new connections with others.
Moonie
Bright and lively, Moonie is chief of "Homeland Security" at the Ranch. You'd never guess
he's a senior citizen, adopted at the age of 11 yrs. We happened to look at a shelter
website one day and saw Moonie featured as "pet of the week". There was something
about him that called out to us. When we visited him, he communicated "get me out of
here, I'm going to die here!" Later we learned it was a mystery to the shelter
administration that he was there the day we visited, because he was due to be
euthanized the week prior. Moonie had a human guardian angel who secretly took him off
the list, and advertised him as "pet of the week" to give him one last chance. Moonie is a
loving and forever appreciative dog.
Sparky
Energetic and gentle, Sparky has appointed himself manager of food services at the
Sanctuary. Believe it or not, he enjoys giving us recipes and has inspired many human
food creations! Sparky was adopted from a farm shelter we visited during an open house
weekend. Although considered "unsuitable" for adoption because of his older age, Sparky
has been a delight as a member of our family. He's a joy, and he'll impress you with his
culinary abilities and playful, loving nature. Sparky's Cantina is up and running! Enjoy
gourmet vegetarian foods, homemade cookies, and soft-serve at local events. All proceeds
support the Sanctuary.
Bak
Playful and friendly, Bak came to us in late December 05 from the United States Border
Patrol in El Paso, Texas. Pictured here, Bak has free rein of the upper 10 acres and is
often seen assisting Ross around the barn and garage. Bak is four years old and spent
his first two years living in Germany before becoming a "cadet" at the border patrol. He
enjoys supervising various maintenance projects and assisting Ross with his gloves and
hammers. Bak has volunteered to oversee the Sanctuary's general maintenance program
and is seldom more than six feet from where work is occurring supervising and assisting
to ensure the job gets done right the first time!
Oliver
Oliver the Australian Shepherd was donated by a local family who could not keep him due
to allergies. He is a great companion to Bak and enjoys guarding the property. He is very
loving and affectionate. He even thinks he's a small dog and enjoys stretching his paws
out on your lap!
Goats!
We rescued a load of goats and of course all the females were pregnant. So now we have
baby goats, and are they ever cute! Come meet Fancy Man and his harem of lovely ladies,
and you too will be delighted by these interesting creatures.
The inspiration for the Sanctuary, in memory of...
Whisper
Gentle and sweet, Whisper was in our lives just eight months. Whisper was purchased
at auction from an unscrupulous horse trader. This man grossly misrepresented Whisper
as a 12 yr. old horse and took a hefty sum of money, laughing as he duped us beginner
horse buyers. What we would later learn was that Whisper was closer to 30 yrs old than
12. He was a gentle spirit in our lives. He will always be fondly remembered for his
joyful expression with ears forward, whinnying, and dancing eyes. He lived out his last
months enjoying lush pastures and companionship from his friend Sedona. Whisper left
a lasting impression, which inspired us to begin the Sanctuary. His memory and spirit
lives on through offering a second chance to other animals in need.
It has been said that each person has a story to tell, and the recounting of that
story is, of itself, a way to heal and form new connections with others.
Moonie
Bright and lively, Moonie is chief of "Homeland Security" at the Ranch. You'd never guess
he's a senior citizen, adopted at the age of 11 yrs. We happened to look at a shelter
website one day and saw Moonie featured as "pet of the week". There was something
about him that called out to us. When we visited him, he communicated "get me out of
here, I'm going to die here!" Later we learned it was a mystery to the shelter
administration that he was there the day we visited, because he was due to be
euthanized the week prior. Moonie had a human guardian angel who secretly took him off
the list, and advertised him as "pet of the week" to give him one last chance. Moonie is a
loving and forever appreciative dog.
Sparky
Energetic and gentle, Sparky has appointed himself manager of food services at the
Sanctuary. Believe it or not, he enjoys giving us recipes and has inspired many human
food creations! Sparky was adopted from a farm shelter we visited during an open house
weekend. Although considered "unsuitable" for adoption because of his older age, Sparky
has been a delight as a member of our family. He's a joy, and he'll impress you with his
culinary abilities and playful, loving nature. Sparky's Cantina is up and running! Enjoy
gourmet vegetarian foods, homemade cookies, and soft-serve at local events. All proceeds
support the Sanctuary.
Bak
Playful and friendly, Bak came to us in late December 05 from the United States Border
Patrol in El Paso, Texas. Pictured here, Bak has free rein of the upper 10 acres and is
often seen assisting Ross around the barn and garage. Bak is four years old and spent
his first two years living in Germany before becoming a "cadet" at the border patrol. He
enjoys supervising various maintenance projects and assisting Ross with his gloves and
hammers. Bak has volunteered to oversee the Sanctuary's general maintenance program
and is seldom more than six feet from where work is occurring supervising and assisting
to ensure the job gets done right the first time!
Oliver
Oliver the Australian Shepherd was donated by a local family who could not keep him due
to allergies. He is a great companion to Bak and enjoys guarding the property. He is very
loving and affectionate. He even thinks he's a small dog and enjoys stretching his paws
out on your lap!
Goats!
We rescued a load of goats and of course all the females were pregnant. So now we have
baby goats, and are they ever cute! Come meet Fancy Man and his harem of lovely ladies,
and you too will be delighted by these interesting creatures.
The inspiration for the Sanctuary, in memory of...
Whisper
Gentle and sweet, Whisper was in our lives just eight months. Whisper was purchased
at auction from an unscrupulous horse trader. This man grossly misrepresented Whisper
as a 12 yr. old horse and took a hefty sum of money, laughing as he duped us beginner
horse buyers. What we would later learn was that Whisper was closer to 30 yrs old than
12. He was a gentle spirit in our lives. He will always be fondly remembered for his
joyful expression with ears forward, whinnying, and dancing eyes. He lived out his last
months enjoying lush pastures and companionship from his friend Sedona. Whisper left
a lasting impression, which inspired us to begin the Sanctuary. His memory and spirit
lives on through offering a second chance to other animals in need.
| See the Horse page for a look at our Sanctuary equines! |
 |
