Staying Human, Together: Notes from the Herd

Just checking in—Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary is thinking of you as many in Minnesota are carrying fear and uncertainty. Here are a few notes from the herd about staying human, together.

AHHS is holding you in mind as Minnesota faces deep cold and as many of us carry fear, deep sadness, and shock connected to recent ICE actions and the harm and chaos they have brought to our communities, including the fatal shootings of a beloved neighbors and the broader unrest that has followed. In the midst of this upheaval—where grief, anger, and uncertainty swirl—it’s love that keeps us rooted: love for our neighbors, for our shared humanity, and for the beauty that still surrounds us, even when the world feels uncertain.

At AHHS, we believe radical love and presence are how we stay human in the face of harm. They allow us to hold fear and grief alongside love, beauty, and connection.

To notice the sunset.

To feel the warm breath of a horse, a dog, a cat, or a friend.

To stand beside a horse who stays with you—just being there.

To laugh when a goat nudges your pocket.

To feel a cat’s steady purr.

To let another person steady you.

We are here.

We will stand up for our neighbors.

We will not be silent—and we will still find joy.

These moments do not make us naïve. They make us whole.

There is something quietly revolutionary about choosing tenderness in a world that so often demands numbness—about showing up for one another while still allowing moments of light and beauty.

A gentle practice: Pause for one minute today. Place a hand on your heart, or on the warm body of an animal nearby. Breathe slowly. Notice one small, grounding thing.

A small art practice: Make a simple mark or symbol inspired by something that steadied you today—a curve, a hoofprint, a line of light. No fixing. Just noticing.

Radical love becomes resistance. Presence becomes rebellion. Care becomes courage.

“When the world feels unsafe, the horse reminds us how to breathe. The herd teaches us this: stay close when it’s hard, find joy when you can, and keep moving together.”

Communities rooted in care and belonging will outlast fear.

We are still here.

We are still connected.

And together, we are growing something more gentle and more just.

With deep care and love,

Anne & the AHHS Herd 💛