Meet Sarah and hear from her caregiver Daryl. “Sarah copes daily with Down Syndrome. As we began our 6th season of lessons with Divine Equine, I have repeatedly expressed my amazement at her evolution and growth. I witnessed Sarah, who was so intimidated by the idea of touching a horse and mounting one to giving her “buddy” Hollywood a kiss on the snout just this week. Sarah has grown from just “hanging on” to Hollywood as he walked around the arena to joyfully trotting around the arena with her arms out for balance or “two-point” at a full trot. She has had caring, thoughtful, involved, and loving tutelage every step of the way. I can never thank Divine Equine and the caring people behind it for what they’ve contributed to Sarah and our community in Santa Cruz.”
Sarah is one of over 80 students who have benefited from Divine Equines' services since its opening in 2019. The intimate connections students develop with horses extend beyond learning to ride. Research shows that when people with disabilities participate in equine-assisted services, the lessons can positively impact their cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being.
We need your help!
Divine Equine's survival is based on outside donations from grants, foundations, and donors. 80% of our annual revenue comes from donors like you to ensure that student costs are kept low, and access to lessons is equitable for all. All of this is at risk of going away.
As you all know, rising costs have affected everyone and everything, and grants are not being awarded as regularly as they have been. These two factors have put Divine Equine in a precarious financial situation. To keep serving our clients for the next year, we desperately need $75,000. And we need that now.
Our larger plan is to start an endowment that will ensure our financial security into the future. To do this, we will start a 2-year fundraising campaign to raise $500,000. Your gift today will give us the gift of time to secure the future.
Where will your donation go? Your generous donation will go towards the care of our horses, which includes hay, regular vet and farrier visits, and daily supplements. Donations will also pay staff for their hard work and the payment of our ranch lease. All of these needs culminate into the best possible experience for our students. The students get happy and healthy horses, well-resourced staff members, and a property that serves the mission of providing safe, quality lessons for Divine Equine students.
Please help us continue our mission of creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusively safe space that positively impacts the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social well-being of individuals with disabilities. Thank you for making your tax-deductible donation today!
Watch to see how your donations will make the difference in providing safety, well-being, confidence, and independence for people with disabilities:
My neighbor, Kristy, who runs Divine Equine is currently emergency boarding horses, ducks and chickens at her facility. She rescued several horses yesterday from Felton and has more animals coming today. She is on the land with the animals caring for them 24/7. If you can assist with any funds to help with feed and the supplies needed to keep each animal separate and safe that would be much appreciated.
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