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.
– 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.
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.