Inspired by the profound connection between horses and humans, Danielle founded our horse rescue to create a sanctuary where both can heal and thrive.  While living in Northern Nevada, she fell in love with the wild mustangs as they ran through the open ranges and mountains near the ghost town that she lived in, while she was pregnant with a rainbow baby.  She begin to research and follow what was going on with the mustangs across the US and was determined to one day be part of the rescuing of those beautiful creatures.  Just observing the mustangs helped in healing her as she was going through PPD, anxiety, PTSD, and grief from the loss of her oldest son to malpractice.  After moving to Virginia many years later and having 3 more sons, she began to follow the rescue efforts of a local nonprofit that was working hard to save animals off the slaughter pipeline but witnessed as many perfectly amazing animals were not being saved.  With most horse rescues full and unable to take on anymore horses, she watched 11 horses go to slaughter with more than half of them being 1 to 2 year old babies, her heart was broken and she decided it was time to take action to stop allowing this to happen so she created this rescue.  While new to the horse field, her vision is to foster a unique sanctuary where rescued horses and people can find solace and renewal in each other’s company.  She believes in the transformative power of this bond, where every horse and human deserve a second chance and is committed to nurturing it.

Michael brings a fresh perspective with a focus on creating a harmonious environment.  He ensures that our operations support the mutual healing journey of horses and humans alike.  Michael is married to Danielle and agreed with the need of a rescue to save horses but also to save humans.  He understands the recovery journey himself as he has faced the recovery road and knows it all too well.  From his own experience with addiction and grief from the loss of his oldest son, he understands the need for more than traditional care.  Many adults and children fall into the gaps of the system and do not find the help they need to find recovery and are able to heal to have a healthy, good life.  He looks forwards to being part of the therapy and recovery efforts that are equine-assisted.  He finds just sitting and being around horses as a relaxing and peaceful present moment that he believes every one should experience themselves.  He is the builder and creator of all the housing, fencing, and anything needed for the animals.  He designs and builds by hand everything used to shelter and give them a home.  He is also the rescue horse hauler and enjoys seeing the horses finding their homes, and being free and alive.   He is happy to be part of an innovative effort that reimagines rescue and rehabilitation as a shared path to well-being for horses and humans on their journeys to recovery.

Guided by a belief in the healing power of horses, Marisa manages our financial resources and community support with care and transparency.  Her love for horses started at a young age between 2nd and 3rd grade, while horse back riding with her grandfather and father.  She shared a special bond with a horse named Sonny Boy that she will never forget and has lasted her lifetime.  She deeply respects how intelligent horses are and will never forget how her grandfather would talk with his horse every time before riding. To watch how his horse listened intently made such an impression on her.  It showed her the bond between a horse and human.  Her favorite book/horse movie is "Black Beauty" and she passionately is driven to saving the lives of as many horses as this rescue can.  Although new to the horse rescue world, she is not new to the magic and love of horses, serving others in need within the community, nor to being on a nonprofit board.  From her previous experience serving on a local nonprofit board, she helps to create the policies and procedures needed to make this a safe rescue for all involved.  Her strategic thinking are vital to our growth and sustainability. She is grateful to be part of the efforts to offer equine-assisted therapy and recovery to support in creating more healing in the world, as we call know it is much needed today.  She is dedicated to aiding in fundraising and ensuring that our resources are used towards making a positive impact through healing and transformation for all involved, and for the better of our world.