Success Stories

Sarah from East Devon is a Sanctuary at Home carer to 19-year-old Piebald Gypsy Vanner Chai. 

Alison Tyrrell-Smith, a semi-retired Accountant, and her husband Mark who’s retired from the Army and National Crime Agency, have been volunteers at Coombe Park since last October.

Kenn is a five-year-old Draft Cross who has been on box rest since he was found to have multiple issues with one of his stifle joints. When horses and ponies, like Kenn, are on box rest, their enrichment is planned for morning, lunch, afternoon and night-time, seven days a week.

Kerry and her daughter Lucia from Truro wanted to loan through our Sanctuary at Home scheme because they felt they had a lot to offer a pony that might not be easy to re-home.  

Tegan-Jai from Plymouth is a remarkable 14 year old. When she was born with an inoperable brain condition, her parents Toni and Adam were told she would never walk, talk, eat or live beyond her first birthday. But Tegan defied her prognosis with extraordinary bravery and determination, to do all the things doctors said she wouldn’t, with the help of our Equine Assisted Services sessions.

Barbara has worked as a volunteer at our Brunel retail shop in Newton Abbot for eight years.

'Working at the Sanctuary has completely changed my life. It’s my happy place.’ 

We rescued another mare and foal from a complex situation involving 12 other equines. The adorable Dartmoor colt foal, named Chandler, and his dam Chandrani are enjoying their new home.

This winter, we took in two mares with their foals at foot from two separate welfare cases. Nia was the first mare to arrive, with her beautiful two month old Welsh filly foal Netty. They were part of a large multi-agency rescue and arrived at our Beech Trees Veterinary and Welfare Centre on the 8th November.