Serenity Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation
Committed to the Responsible Treatment of Horses
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Fundraising is always at the top of our list as a need. Our organization has been in existence since 2007 and we have been successful in our mission. We have created a fundraising team to work along side the Board to help grow our Financila well-being. We are devoping a new volunteer recruitment program through the schools and outside organization such as Volunteer Match.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Serenity rescues horses based on need and our ability to give proper care to each horse including veterinary care, proper nutrition based on the horse's needs and the number of horses that we can support at our facility.
Education
Serenity has developed a series of classes focused on Excellence in Horsemanship and Ownership. The program is for the most part self-sustaining through class fees.
Basic Horse Handling
This class covers the basics for people new to working with horses. We will focus on approaching the horse, haltering and leading, grooming, situational awareness, safety around horses in general, developing trust, and learning to be the herd leader.
Equine Behavior
Being in tune with your horse is about more than riding it a few days a week. It requires that you build a relationship by really understanding the subtleties of their language (as it manifests in their body and behavior, as well as on a deeper, intuitive level). Horses can be wonderful partners and coaches if we are open to learning from them and understanding how they communicate.
Common Diseases and Ailments
From Laminitis and Colic, to coughs and eye infections, dental care and general hoof health and minor injuries. Horses are simultaneously tough and fragile, and you need to know what is serious and when to call the vet, as well as how to handle minor issues promptly to ensure they don't escalate.
Anatomy of the Horse
We will learn about basic anatomy and physiology so you can establish a baseline for your horse, and can tell when things aren't right. We will review the skeleton, musculature, tendons and ligaments, and the digestive system from hay to poo.
Horse Nutrition
Building on the previous week's lesson, this class will take a look at optimal nutrition for horses. This will cover how to recognize and address malnutrition (including building a nutritional plan and how to rehabilitate a horse that has been starved), types of foods and supplements, behavioral implications of nutrition, the impact of dental care, and digestive issues in the horse.
How to Register
Each class is $40 or $200 for the series. Current volunteers at Serenity receive a $10 discount.
Safety Net Program
This program is supported by The Jasper Family Community Fund. Serenity received calls and emails for help from concerned citizens and horse owners. When this occurs we perform a welfare check and evaluate the needs of the animal(s). We work with the owner to improve the horse's life by offering nutrition plans, doing work on their farm, providing feed, vet care and if need be humane euthanasia. Our goal is to keep the horse with its owner by supporting them until they are better able to care for their horse.
On occasion is it necessary to get Animal Control involved if the horse needs to be rescued and the owner is unwilling to release ownership.
Horses as Healers
We believe that the relationship between humans and horses is a very special one. Many of our volunteers and others have experienced a special gift of healing when working or visiting the farm. Horses as Healers,focuses on healing and developing life skills.
Where we work
Awards
Nonprofit of the Year 2016
Maple Valley Community Council
Affiliations & memberships
Unwanted Horse Coalition 2010
External reviews

Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Number of animals provided with long term care
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
Many of our rescued horses suffer from health issues and/or permanent injuries. They are placed in sanctuary to live out their lives in peace and comfort.
Number of sheltered animals
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
This number represents the number of adoptable horses on the farm as well as those in sanctuary.
Number of animals with freedom to express normal behavior
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Type of Metric
Other - describing something else
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
We have a holistic approach to the rescues in our care. All of them live in small herds or are free to roam the farm.
Number of animals rescued
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Rescue and Rehabilitation
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Because we have horses in sanctuary or rescue numbers are small. In addition we support horses out in the community through our Safety Net program. We always stay within budget.
Number of animals rehabilitated
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Safety Net Program
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Context Notes
These numbers represent the horses currently being rehabilitated at Serenity and those supported in the Community. In 2022 we supported 6 horses still living with their families.
Number of Clients served in Horses as Healers program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Veterans
Related Program
Horses as Healers
Type of Metric
Context - describing the issue we work on
Direction of Success
Decreasing
Context Notes
The Horses and Healers program serves those who are in need of healing. Because of COVID we put this program on hold for 2021 & 2022. We usually work with groups. We did work with 4 individuals.
Number of participants attending course/session/workshop
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Education
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
We offer 5 courses that are available to our community through our Education Center as well as ongoing training for our volunteers.
Number of horses supported in the Safety Net Program
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Related Program
Safety Net Program
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
After performing a welfare check and interviewing owners to determine their circumstances and need, we offer short-term support to help keep their horses with their families.
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
To be of service to the community by supporting our local horse owners through our Welfare Checks, and the Jasper Family Community Fund.
To provide a safe place of healing and care for neglected, abandoned and slaughter-bound horses and to find them loving permanent homes.
To provide the tools needed to be a responsible horse owner and train our volunteers to better understad the horses they work with through our Education Center classes and clinics.
To provide a place of healing for those who suffer emotionally and psychologically with life challenging issues such as PTSD through our Horses as Healers Program.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Serenity has been in the community for 14 years and is well known. We are also active and participate in local events as well as those sponsored by national organizations. Some examples:
ASPCA - Help a Horse Day
Maple Valley Farmers Market
Community Service Fairs for High Schools
King County United Way Events
Day of Caring
MLK Day
Open houses on the farm.
We also do several social media campaigns using Facebook, Instagram, and emails.
We have assigned volunteer leaders for each of our major areas of work that organize events and supervise other volunteers.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a very strong volunteer community that are dedicated to the success of our programs. Many have been with Serenity for years and are committed to its' continued success. We have been reaching out and developing a stronger tie with our community through education and our Jasper Family Community Fund. We have been published in several newspapers and local magazines, such as Seattle Magazine, Maple Valley Community Magazine, Flying Changes and a local radio station. We partnered with the University of Washington Equestrian Team this past year to raise funds for the team and Serenity.
We have created a new website and increased our Instagram and Facebook followers.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have successfully implemented a training program this past year for all of our rescues including those that are not rideable but would make excellent pasture mates. Our volunteer training program has been revamped increasing the volunteers. We have held several successful events that have increased our visibility in the community and support from local companies. We have adopted out many horses to wonderful forever homes. Our farm is very well organized and targeted towards the best care of our horses and best practices for farm management. All of the duties to be performed by volunteers is documented and new volunteers are trained by volunteer leads. We do our best to insure that the farm is run well with the best interest of our horses in our hearts.
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Serenity Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation
Board of directorsas of 04/24/2023
Ms. Cathy Cooper
Patricia Clark
Exec Director Serenity
Myrna Burnett
Swedish Hospital
Karissa Davydov
John Hopkins
Cathy Cooper
Multicare
Ann Maruhashi
Childrens Hospital
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 03/23/2020GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.