Participation...

Thank you to our generous sponsors and volunteers! view them here

VOLUNTEER:

The Sanctuary regularly seeks reliable, qualified and willing volunteers. An ongoing investment of your time and energy will make a significant difference in the lives of the horses. You can volunteer to serve the Sanctuary in a variety of ways, such as horse care, ranch work, gardening/grounds care, assisting with fundraising, grant writing, mailings/office activities and public awareness education.

Many employers consider volunteer service as a valuable work experience and colleges like to see community service on student’s resumes. Donated professional services are also tax deductible.

Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots Ojai Chapter helps the horses at The Sanctuary.

STUDENT PROGRAMS:

Throughout our local area, all schools have agreed to grant community service credit to students who participate with the hands on care of our horses. Their volunteer commitment gives the students the opportunity to learn the following:

  • They learn that all sentient creatures have value and that life is not disposable.
  • They learn that bad things happen to good animals and people. And even though that isn’t fair, we all have a choice. We can’t control circumstances, but we do have the ability to turn our personal tragedies into triumphs if we choose to.
  • They learn that working together as a team with a vision over rides the differences of personalities.
  • They learn the value of contributing to the care and well being of those less fortunate and who cannot care for themselves.
  • They learn about responsibility and that other lives depend on them. They can and do make a difference in the world!
  • They learn about unconditional love.
  • They learn that as they help the horses heal, a part of them heals as well. As St. Francis of Assisi, said, “It is in the giving that we receive.”

COMPLIMENTARY THERAPIES AUDITING:

Students or adults who are interested in any alternative therapies as a future profession are welcome to audit when the horses are having their rehabilitation therapy session. We offer acupuncture, chiropractic, homeopathy and nutritional protocols. Volunteers are also welcome to audit biomechanical assessments, cast and bandage changes, IV therapies, shots, wound, bandaging and dental care.

LEARNING DISABLED PROGRAMS:

With each passing day, more studies prove the amazing value of horses for the handicapped and disabled. Hippo Therapy and Therapeutic Riding programs provide valuable simultaneous bilateral brain output to develop motor coordination skills and confidence. There is an unspoken understanding these horses have for children faced with these challenges. The horses just “know” that their very presence helps to heal in these situations. Our good will ambassadors, all great athletic ex-competitors, truly create magic in the lives of so many. They all win gold medals in the hearts of the children and parents that they help.

LEGISTLATION:

Horses have been man’s greatest companions for centuries. They have served us in peace, war, work and play. It is so important that all of us take action to help put an end to the horrific suffering that many of our American horses are enduring. It is illegal for horses to be slaughtered in the U.S. Yet each year, thousands of our horses are brutally butchered in three foreign owned slaughterhouses in the United States. The rest are shipped over the borders to Canada and Mexico.

We must put an end to this BLATANT CRUELITY for financial gain.

Visit www.horse-protection.org. The American Horse Protection Coalition to find out how you can help stop this ongoing horror, info regarding legislation and how to contact your states representatives. Please contact us: (805.453.4567 or email us:info@theequinesanctuary.org) to learn how to contact your local senators and state representatives to PERMANENTLY BAN the slaughter of our horses!

You can also contact the Humane Society in Washington D.C. 202.955.3663. They can also assist you with the appropriate letters and actions.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about The Equine Sanctuary of Ojai. Please contact us for further information at 805.453.4567 or email us at: info@theequinesanctuary.org