What's Happening at the Sanctuary

Creating Sanctuary Together

July 2026

There has been one simple sentence quietly changing the way I move through this summer: "I get to choose."

The more I sit with those four words, the more powerful they become.

Every day, we sign our name to something. We say yes to certain thoughts, habits, expectations, relationships, and stories about ourselves. Sometimes we do it so automatically that we don't even realize we're making a choice.

This summer I've found myself asking a different question.

What am I signing off on today?

Am I choosing fear or curiosity? Am I choosing perfection or presence? Am I choosing to be kind to myself?

For me, this month has become an invitation to reclaim something we don't often talk about—personal sovereignty.

Not sovereignty over other people. Not control over every circumstance. But the quiet freedom of remembering that no matter what life places in front of me, I still have the power to choose how I respond. I can choose compassion instead of criticism. Curiosity instead of certainty. Gratitude instead of scarcity.

And when I stumble—as we all do—I can choose to begin again.

Living with Multiple Sclerosis for almost 40 years has taught me something I wish I had learned much earlier in life. My body is not my enemy. It isn't something to fix before it becomes worthy of love. It isn't something to compare to yesterday or to someone else's today. My body is my lifelong companion. Some days it whispers.

Some days it protests. Some days it surprises me with strength I didn't know I still had. Every day it deserves kindness.

That feels especially important in a world that often tells us we need to become someone different before we deserve acceptance. The horses have never believed that story. They don't wake up wishing they had straighter legs, shinier coats, or fewer scars. They don't compare themselves with the horse standing next to them.

They don't carry shame about where they've been. They simply arrive. Exactly as they are.

That may be one of the greatest gifts our rescued animals offer us.

At Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary, we often talk about animal liberation—creating a place where rescued animals can finally experience safety, trust, and the freedom to simply be themselves.

The longer I spend with them, the more I realize that perhaps our own liberation begins in much the same way.

Maybe freedom isn't about becoming someone new.

Maybe it's about letting go of everything that has convinced us we weren't enough to begin with.

Kindness doesn't begin with other people. It begins with the way we speak to ourselves. Because when we learn to offer ourselves compassion, we suddenly discover we have so much more compassion available for everyone else.

Perhaps that's where sanctuary truly begins.

Not with fences. Not with buildings. Not even with horses. But with a single quiet choice.

Today, I choose kindness.

From the Desk of David,

Peacock Extraordinaire

Greetings, humans.

As the official observer of sanctuary happenings—and unquestionably its most photogenic resident—I feel it's my responsibility to share a few important life lessons.

First...You spend an extraordinary amount of time worrying. Yesterday. Tomorrow. Whether someone liked your Facebook post. Whether your garden has enough tomatoes. Whether your hair is behaving.

Meanwhile...

The horses are eating hay. The goats are looking for treats. The chickens are discussing absolutely nothing important. And I remain, as always... Breathtakingly magnificent.

From my favorite fence post, I've noticed something interesting.

The horses never argue with the present moment. When it rains...They get wet.

When the sun comes out... They bask in it. When dinner is five minutes late... Trust me...Everyone hears about it.

But once dinner arrives? Life is good again. No endless committee meetings inside their heads.

No replaying yesterday. No rehearsing tomorrow. Just this moment. Perhaps they know something we've forgotten.

So today I offer you a challenge. Stand outside. Feel the sunshine. Listen to the birds. Notice the breeze.

Take one deep breath. And if someone happens to admire my feathers while you're at it... Well...

I certainly won't object.

With great dignity,

David

Peacock Extraordinaire

July Creative Invitation

Draw What You See

This month, I invite you to slow down.

Find one ordinary object.

A coffee cup. A favorite pair of glasses. A leaf. A feather. A flower growing along the sidewalk.

Before you pick up your pencil, spend five quiet minutes simply looking.

Notice the curves.

The shadows.

The tiny imperfections.

Then draw what you actually see—not what you think the object should look like.

When we slow down enough to truly observe, we begin drawing more than objects.

We begin drawing relationships.

Observation is the first step toward both art and compassion.

July Mindfulness Practice

The Power of Right Now

Our minds love to travel. Sometimes they wander into yesterday. Sometimes they race ahead into tomorrow.

The present moment is often much kinder than either.

Today, try this simple practice. Pause. Take three slow breaths.

Then gently notice:

• Five things you can see

• Four things you can touch

• Three things you can hear

• Two things you can smell

• One thing you're grateful for

Nothing to fix. Nothing to solve. Just this moment. Because sometimes the greatest gift we can give ourselves is simply allowing ourselves to be exactly where we are.

I'll see you at the sanctuary.

With gratitude,

Anne

Life Around the Sanctuary

One of the greatest joys of this year has been watching our little sanctuary continue to blossom.

What began as a dream to provide lifelong care for rescued horses is becoming something even bigger—a Living Learning Community where people come together to learn, create, heal, volunteer, and discover that they belong. Every new class, every partnership, every conversation, and every shared experience reminds us that sanctuary isn't something we simply build.It's something we create—together.

🌿 A New Beginning: Abilities Unbridled

This month we proudly launched Abilities Unbridled, a new experience created for adults with and without disabilities and their family members. Here, the focus isn't on limitations. It's on strengths. Participants spend time with and supporting rescued horses, create art, explore nature, and enjoy meaningful conversations in an environment where everyone is welcomed, valued, and encouraged to contribute. Watching friendships begin to form and confidence grow has already reminded us that belonging isn't something we give people. It's something we create together.

Art Experiences are Blooming!

There is something special happening this summer.

Each week the tables fill with paint, clay, pencils, laughter, and conversations that often become just as meaningful as the artwork itself. Whether someone is eight years old or ninety-eight, our creativite experiences have a beautiful way of bringing people together.

This summer we're excited to offer:

• Weekly art classes featuring a different creative experience each week

• A new pottery wheel experience for ages 11 to 110

• Creative birthday celebrations for youth and adults

• Open opportunities to explore art without the pressure of being "good" at it.

At AHHS, we believe art isn't about creating perfect projects.

It's about noticing. Exploring. Expressing. Connecting. Everyone is an artist here.

🐴 Horse Yoga

One of our most anticipated new offerings begins this month.

Horse Yoga combines gentle Somatic Yin Yoga with the quiet presence of our rescued horses.

As you move through a slow, mindful practice, the horses wander freely throughout the pasture, often choosing to quietly stand beside participants, graze nearby, or simply observe.

There is no riding. No expectations. Just an invitation to breathe deeply, reconnect with yourself, and experience the remarkable calm that naturally emerges when humans and horses share space together.

We're especially grateful to partner with One Love Yoga, whose talented instructors are helping bring this weekly experience to our community.

Reiki with Horses

We're also introducing Reiki with Horses.

Many people describe horses as naturally grounding animals. Perhaps it's because they live completely in the present moment. Perhaps it's their quiet awareness. Or perhaps it's simply their willingness to be exactly who they are. During these sessions, participants are invited to slow down, reflect, relax, and experience the peaceful rhythm of the sanctuary while sharing space with our rescued herd. Sometimes healing begins with doing less.

Sometimes it begins by simply being present.

Creating Sanctuary Together

One of the most exciting developments this year has been the incredible community that continues to gather around AHHS.

During the first half of 2026 we welcomed new community partners, expanded accessible programming, received significant arts funding, and continued to grow through the generosity of more than 200 volunteer hours every month.

Every volunteer, donor, participant, partner, and rescued animal has played a role in shaping this place into a community where learning, creativity, compassion, and belonging flourish side by side.

In June alone, we were honored to welcome:

• Families through NAMI Minnesota's community wellness event supporting our BIPOC community

• Youth from Gz-us Connects, serving young people involved in the juvenile justice system

• Residents from Benedictine Senior Living Community

• Participants in our new Abilities Unbridled program

• Individuals living with dementia and their loved ones for peaceful visits with the horses

• And Community members joining us for equine, art, cultural experiences, mindfulness, and nature-based learning

Every visit reminds us that sanctuary is not simply a destination.

It is something we create through kindness, curiosity, and shared experiences.

New Partnerships

We believe the strongest communities are built through collaboration.

This summer we're thrilled to begin a new partnership with Creating More Sanctuary.

Together we'll be exploring how the humanities, creativity, storytelling, leadership, rescued horses, and community dialogue can strengthen belonging, resilience, and well-being for people of all ages.

We're equally excited to partner with One Love Yoga, bringing weekly Horse Yoga experiences to the sanctuary and expanding opportunities for people to reconnect with themselves, one another, and the natural world.

These partnerships reflect something we've always believed: When organizations work together, communities become stronger.

Growing Access Through the Arts

This summer also brought exciting news.

We're honored to receive two grants that will help make creativity more accessible to our community.

• A MRAC Flexible Support Grant to develop accessible hybrid online arts/Equine wellness experiences, allowing more people to participate regardless of mobility, transportation, or location.

• An Arc grant supporting inclusive mosaic and barn quilt experiences that welcome participants of every age, background, and ability.

These investments don't simply fund art projects.

They create opportunities for people to discover confidence, tell their stories, build relationships, and experience the joy of making something beautiful together.

Alongside these new initiatives, we'll continue offering youth, adult, family, school, nonprofit, and corporate equine-assisted learning experiences that strengthen communication, leadership, resilience, confidence, and connection through meaningful interactions with our rescued horses.

As always, we're looking forward to welcoming both familiar faces and first-time visitors.

There's always room for one more around the barn.

Welcoming New Leadership

Every thriving community is shaped by people who bring their unique gifts, experiences, and vision to the table. As Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary continues to evolve as a Living Learning Community, we're honored to welcome two exceptional women whose leadership will help guide our next chapter.

Jenny Melgren

Jenny brings a lifetime of personal experience, compassion, and advocacy for individuals with diverse abilities and strengths. She understands that true inclusion means creating environments where everyone has the opportunity not only to participate, but to contribute.

Her insight and commitment strengthen our mission to build a sanctuary where accessibility, belonging, and human dignity are woven into every experience. We are grateful to welcome Jenny's heart, love of horses, art and wisdom to our Executive Board.

Christine M. Smith, M.A.

We're also honored to welcome Christine M. Smith, M.A. to the Executive Board.

Christine is a leadership and organizational development consultant, equity strategist, and founder of Creating More Sanctuary. With nearly twenty years of experience across nonprofit, government, and community sectors, she helps leaders and organizations create cultures rooted in belonging, resilience, and well-being.

Her work integrates trauma-informed practice, organizational change, leadership development, equity, and holistic wellness to help both people and organizations thrive.

More importantly, Christine believes, as we do, that meaningful change begins with relationships.

Her partnership, wisdom, and collaborative spirit are already helping us imagine new possibilities for Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary, and we couldn't be more excited about what lies ahead.

Looking Ahead

As I reflect on everything that has happened this first half of the year, I find myself filled with gratitude.

Gratitude for the horses who continue to teach us patience, presence, and trust.

Gratitude for the volunteers who show up in every season, often without recognition, simply because they believe in what we're building together. Gratitude for the artists, community partners, donors, and board members who remind us that big dreams become possible when many hands and hearts work together.

And gratitude for each person who chooses to spend time here. Whether your visit lasts an hour or becomes part of your life's journey, you become part of the story of this sanctuary.

An Invitation

Maybe you've been thinking about visiting. Maybe you've been meaning to volunteer. Maybe you've always wanted to try painting, meet a rescued horse, practice yoga in the pasture, or simply enjoy a quiet afternoon surrounded by nature. This is your invitation. Come walk the trails. Sit quietly with the horses. Create something with your hands. Laugh with new friends. Take a deep breath. There is no right way to experience the sanctuary.

There is only your way.

A Final Thought

As I wrote this month's newsletter, I kept coming back to one simple idea:

I get to choose.

Every day, each of us has the opportunity to choose kindness over judgment.

Curiosity over certainty. Connection over isolation. Hope over fear. Those choices may seem small, but together they shape the kind of world we create.

At Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary, we believe sanctuary isn't just a place. It's a way of being.

It's choosing compassion. It's creating spaces where every person, every animal, and every story is treated with dignity. It's believing that healing, creativity, and belonging grow stronger when we experience them together.

Thank you for believing in this little sanctuary with a very big heart. Thank you for walking beside us.

Thank you for helping us create a place where rescued horses, creativity, nature, and community continue to remind us that we all belong.

Until next month… Be kind to yourself. Be curious. Stay present. And whenever you need a little reminder, the horses—and David the Peacock—will be here waiting.

With gratitude,

Anne Krocak

Executive Director, Art, Heart & Hoofbeats Sanctuary

"Creating sanctuary, together."