Featured

Christmas Comes Early

December 16, 2019 By Robb Lawson

Christmas came early in November for GSA. Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK hosted a field trip with twelve Vet Tech students and five faculty members from Cedar Valley College on Friday, November 22nd . They came out for a tour and to possibly volunteer. What GSA did not know was the students got together to give us needed supplies for the horses. It was a wonderful time for GSA and the students and faculty members. Some rode horses and talked about their aspirations. We cannot thank them enough for the hay, feed and all the tack and more they provided for us.

Mrs. US Woman — Terry & Lesly Worley, Mrs. U.S. Woman

Then we had another surprise from Mrs. U.S. Women, Lesly Worley, who provided GSA with dog food, socks and towels. GSA was able to share the socks and towels with a group that feeds the homeless individuals every Thursday. We are very thankful for all of the assistance that has been provided to us this year. But we never forget about others.

As we look forward to a new decade, let’s look back on what we’ve accomplished together.

We have rehomed two horses this year and gained two more. Addy and Rhett are new residents of GSA. Come out to see them.
Texas Capital provided funding and toured the facility
GSA has had over 75 new volunteers this year.
GSA provided a community garden and provided fresh vegetables to the volunteers and the community.
The horse and volunteers have blossomed this year and are really very happy.

With your help by making a year-end donation, you will help us continue to provide life-changing services to the horses and the Lancaster community. Your fully tax-deductible gift can be made online or amazon smile when you make a purchase, Pay pal or Facebook network for the good.

GSA would like to wish each and every one a very Happy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thank you for all that you do for us.

Terry

We bloom where we are planted

August 28, 2019 By Robb Lawson

Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (GSA) would like to honor the volunteers we have had over the summer. We have really bloomed this year with a new garden and a new horse “Cookie” ( 16 hand saddle bred). We have also re-homed two beautiful horses this year.

As the school year starts a lot of the students have gone back to K-12 school or started their first year of college. Javier Flores is one our volunteers that has started a new chapter from high school to college. Javier has been with GSA over 2 years and has mastered the horses and taken on a leadership role at the barn. He has been a role model for many of our young students that volunteered this summer. We wish you the best Javier and look forward to a visit every once in a while. The horses will miss you too! Best wishes, we are very proud of your accomplishments!

GSA is very grateful to the sister and brother team Amos (Certified in irrigation systems) and Susannah Lapp (master gardener). They have planted a garden at the barn that is simply fantastic! The garden includes: squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, collard greens, tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, basil and much more. They also provided the tilling and seeds to grow the vegetables and fruit that is for the community. Our primary resident gardener Marty has watered and provided care for our lovely garden weekly, as well. It is so massive that we need more help. So if you feel as though you have a green thumb come out some time and help. We need a few good gardeners! You also get to take home fresh produce that you harvest and the produce is massive.

Finally, we have had many volunteers over the summer and what we found at GSA is that horses heal people when they both connect. We have seen some wonderful transformations in both people and the horses. One example is a father who walked over 3 miles with his son to volunteer with GSA because, his son just relocated from Houston and loves horses. He made it happen for his son that was accustom to spending time with horses every day. That is dedication!

Finally, please do not forget the North Texas Day of Giving, September 19, 2019. GSA appreciates the past contributions that have assisted our organization , however, we need your future contribution, as well. Please get up and give. Thank everyone for the continued support you have provided GSA over the years. More to come in the coming months. Happy trails!

7+ Years of Success!

March 9, 2019 By Robb Lawson

Rusty and Einstein at Dinner time — Fine Dining with Rusty and Einstein

This is who we are

Greetings from Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (GSA), February 2019, marked the 7^th year for us being incorporated as a not-for-profit. Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK (GSA) was established in 2008 and incorporated in 2012. GSA is an organization that assists and employs Disabled Veterans and low-income students. GSA is also a horse rescue operation that supports the STEM Agricultural Exploration LAB in Lancaster Independent School District. We provide Disaster Relief for horses during times of flooding, hurricanes and other emergencies. We also provide training to horses and to horse owners. We provide innovative solutions to create partnerships between businesses and the community to aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of animals. We thank the Lancaster School District for making this possible.

Some of what we’re doing

We are currently working with a student that has been accepted into Johnson and Wales University in Providence Rhode Island with a major in Equine Science. Another success story is a student that is applying to a university to become a Marine Biologist. We have had Cedar Valley College students enrolled in the veterinarian tech program to benefit from our program. We hope we can assist more students in Animal Science field.

Some of what we’ve done

Throughout those seven years we have been able to not only assist other horse owners with their horses, but provide yard sales that provided school supplies and bikes and more to so many people over the years. GSA has held multiple and various events to garner support from the community. As we look forward to our future and we hope to continue the work that we have started.

Thank you

We would like to thank all our supporters for making this possible. We have 13 horses at the barn now with two new arrivals Rusty and Einstein, being the new boys on the block. They are both from Fairfield, Texas and needed a temporary home for the months of February and March. We have enjoyed their stay with us and can’t continue to do this without your help.

Just in case

Also, if you see or find an abused horse, cat or dog. Please contact the local authorities or SPCA and have them investigate the case. This is the proper channel to go through first. These are some examples of horses that have been helped.

You’re invited

Please feel free to drop by and meet some of the horses. Once again, thank you all for making the past seven years wonderful for GSA!

Upcoming Groundsmanship Class

August 8, 2017 By Karen White

August 19, 2017 at 8:00 a.m.

ABOUT THE CLASS

On Saturday, August 19 at 8:00 a.m., Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK is offering a groundsmanship class taught by Scott Shepherd of 4Shepherds Horsemanship. A tax-deductible donation of $10 entitles you to participate in the class, eat lunch, and enjoy the day with our equine buddies.

The class will take place at the Roy Crawford Agricultural Complex, 2415 Sunny Meadows Rd., Lancaster, TX.

WHAT IS GROUNDSMANSHIP?

Groundsmanship refers to the art of training a horse while remaining on the ground instead of riding the horse. You can gain the horse’s trust, teach the horse different maneuvers, and correct bad habits.
WHO IS SCOTT SHEPHERD?

Scott Shepherd has been around horses in different capacities all of his life. He served with the Dallas Police for 27 years. He joined the Mounted Unit in 2008 and trained the new horses and new riders coming into the program. Scott believes in gaining the respect and trust of any horse he works with. He believes in fostering a horse’s willingness to work and creating a soft, confident horse is the objective of each ride and training session.

April is Help-A-Horse Month! Note change in location for April 2.

March 9, 2016 By Karen White

Addy050115n Addy – 5/1/2015

Addy022816a_300dpi_3x3 Addy – 2/28/2016

In April 2016, Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK will be celebrating the ASPCA’s 150th anniversary! Gabby’s Sanctuary ARK is competing for a $10,000 grant by hosting several events throughout the month. You can help us achieve that goal by attending and supporting Gabby’s ARK through your donations.

April 2, 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m. – Scott Shepherd of 4Shepherds Horsemanship – demonstration and horsemanship training. Registration: $25.00
April 2 – Silent Auction – 10:00 a.m – 2:00 p.m.

April 2 events will be held at the Texas Horse Park at the Trinity, 811 Pemberton Hill Rd., Dallas, TX 75217.

April 22, 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.– Dancing for Dollars Contest– Dance contest and The Spoken Word (open to everyone) includes prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in both categories – Limited space available. Admission: $5.00.
April 23, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. – Overton Brooks – demonstration and groundwork training. Registration: $25.00.

April 22 and 23 events will be held at the Rollin’ C Ranch, 1916 N. Westmoreland Rd., DeSoto, TX (between Danieldale Rd. and Wintergreen Rd.).