Jane Thrall | Article & Photos

I volunteer at an animal sanctuary near my home , a small acreage in a sea of everencroaching townhouse developments . Our sanctuary takes in farm animals that have been abused , forgotten , or otherwise damaged . Most of them have a story of neglect or injury resulting in emotional and physical trauma .

We bring these animals together with children who have likewise seen upheaval in their own short lives , children identified as “ at risk .” Guided by a Registered Clinical Counsellor ( RCC ), our programs help forge a relationship between animals and youngsters , giving them both a chance to heal and grow .

Chase , a handsome bay quarter horse , came to us when the SPCA seized dozens of animals at a farm that was operating a puppy mill ; he and another horse were in the field . At twenty years of age , he was dangerously thin , and his hoofs were in rough condition .

He was always hungry after he came to the sanctuary ; horses that have been without food don ’ t seem to ever get over their food insecurity . We make sure that Chase has all the food he wants so he never has to worry about his next meal . Such a gentle soul , Chase loves working with children and lets them interact with him while remaining calm and unthreatening .

Barney and Clyde both showed up within a month of each other . Clyde was found in the back seat of a stolen car in a nearby town , so he was brought to us in a police cruiser . Barney was found wandering the streets of the same town a few weeks later . We assume these two young goats were somehow related or at least from the same farm but never found out where they originated .

Both of them , but particularly Clyde , had issues with urinary calculi (“ kidney stones ” in humans ).

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