1 person found this review helpful
GENTLE GIANTS DRAFT HORSE RESCUE SOCIETY LTD
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January 5, 2013
1 person found this review helpful
I owe this rescue with finding me my best friend and making my dream come true. They take great care of their horses. I can not believe the amazing vet care those horses get. I looked at hundreds of rescues and theirs out shined them all. They are not in it to make a profit. They do not take on more horses then they can give the quality care to. They make sure the horses and adopters are the right match. I have also seen them take horses back if the adopters come on hard times. They have been there anytime I have questions and to share good times I have had with my horse AUtumn. I love this rescue and think they are the best around. I can never thank them enough for my Autumn.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
December 4, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
After looking for a horse rescue to volunteer for, I finally met the folks at Gentle Giants. I was amazed! They were open, caring and did not hesitate to answer any questions I had. The barn, fencing, etc were clean, intact, and solid. No seconds for this rescue! From that day on, I was hooked and have volunteered for a few years in any way possible. As a volunteer, I was also welcomed to the Board of Director meetings and learned more in-depth how well run this rescue is. The care of the horses is top-notch and the vet is on speed-call and will answer 24/7. Gentle Giant's main purpose is to save drafts and draft-crosses from slaughter. With the help of volunteers and donors, Gentle Giants continues to work towards giving horses in a bad place a new chance at a safe and loving life. I was pleased to be given the privilege join the BOD's and will continue to drive 1-1/2 hour each way, one to three times a week, to help Gentle Giants continue to fulfill it's promise to the far-too-many drafts in need. And THANK YOU to our very hard working volunteers! You all make this possible!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization beyond what is required of board members?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
Will you tell others about this organization?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
1 person found this review helpful
November 26, 2012
1 person found this review helpful
This is a fantastic rescue organization. They buy "used up" draft horses at "kill auctions" (where horses are sold for their meat, to be used as either human food in Europe and Japan, or for pet food in the US and Canada), and provide them a comfortable, safe sanctuary to live out their natural lives. These dignified animals are no longer able to work, but after years of serving their human owners, they certainly deserve better than the slaughterhouse. Their stories are heart-breaking, but even a small donation can help rescue one more soul.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
5 people found this review helpful
November 20, 2012
5 people found this review helpful
I just received a donation request from Gentle Giants Draft Horse rescue. In their brochure is a picture of a horse with it's left eye horribly mangled and dangling. Very, very upsetting!! Decided to look into who would do this type of thing to a beautiful animal only to discover the truth about this here. This horse has cancer and the eye is a result of the disease NOT from Canada's 'captive bolt' as GGDHR leads you to believe. The thing is I would have donated without the graphics but now, knowing they mis-lead me intentionlly. I will donate to more truthful charities. Unforgivable!
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
4 people found this review helpful
November 11, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
I came across GGDHR at the MD Horse Expo in January 2012. It took me seven months to be brave enough to come out and volunteer. They are wonderful to work with. I have a disability and they are very willing to work with me and my service dog so I can still help them and feel important. Working with the other volunteers and barn manager is wonderful. We all get along. They encourage volunteers to work with the horses and prepare them for their new perspective adopter(s). As we work with the horses, I've noticed more novice volunteers become much more experienced horsemen/women and helps us all run smoothly. I even have gotten attached with an inexperienced PMU draft cross rescue and was allowed to assist in its training with their trainer.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Likely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
November 8, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
I started volunteering mid-summer of this year and can't believe I waited so long to do it. Not only are the horses very well cared for, so are the volunteers. I volunteered at another rescue for almost three years and while that was an excellent learning experience for me, I never got a chance to do many things I wanted to. You can only hear "you can't do that" so many times before getting disheartened. At GG, you don't hear "you can't do that", you hear, "WHY can't you do that?". There is a young girl that is volunteering to collect hours for her future education as a veterinarian. She told our director that she had never been on a horse before. 16 and never been on horse. Christine was shocked and said, "well, we shall fix that." She looked at us and said, "Go get John" and 20 minutes later that young girl was up on a very large, gentle horse and the smile on her face was priceless. After she was done, another "older" volunteer asked if she could get on him and of course, she could. That woman left as if her whole year had been made in those short 20 minutes of walking around bareback on a Shire. Volunteering is not easy, it's hot, it's cold, it's wet, there is a lot of poop, there is heartache and there is a lot of happiness and camaraderie. I am going to be 56 years old very soon and am going to be a toy soldier in a Christmas parade, possibly even riding one of the giants. How many people get to say they did that? If you ever, ever had a desire to volunteer at an extremely well run rescue, this is the place. No experience? No matter...you will be taught. Experienced? Then it's a win win for both you and GG. I will be with Gentle Giants as long as they will have me.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Quite well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
3 people found this review helpful
November 7, 2012
3 people found this review helpful
I came to this rescue looking for a place that I could help and make a difference in. Many rescues limit volunteers to jobs that don't include interaction with the horses. At Gentle Giants, volunteers help with the basic barn work, but can also spend time with the horses to form a bond with any of them. We all have a favorite that we like to catch and groom and give treats to. Many people ask if we ride the horses. The answer to that is riding is an option for horses that are sound, and are safe to ride. A riding evaluation is done beforehand to place the rider with an acceptable horse for their experience. The horse care is the top priority there, as it should be. Adoptions are done carefully to make sure that the horse and adopter are a good match. The homes are checked to make sure everything is suitable for the horse. Afterwards, periodic checks are made to make sure the horse remains healthy. The process keeps the horses safe and healthy, since that's the ultimate goal. All of these extra things make Gentle Giants a more hands on and enjoyable rescue to volunteer at. I love volunteering every weekend and enjoying the horses and the friendly people. I've been volunteering here for a year now, and still going strong! Come out and volunteer and you'll see what I mean.
More feedback...
Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
2 people found this review helpful
October 28, 2012
2 people found this review helpful
This September I went out to Gentle Giants Draft Rescue and was impressed with this wonderful facility. The horses looked so healthy and happy and the staff were so dedicated and caring. I now sponsor a horse there and wish I lived closer so I could volunteer. I hope to be able to adopt a horse in the near future from Gentle Giants. This organization is how a rescue group should run, the horses are well cared for, the staff care about who adopts these beautiful horses and they are doing such a great thing by helping save horses from slaughter.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
September 21, 2012
4 people found this review helpful
I was very concerned about the horse they advertised as abused so naturally I made a donation to help it. Turns out the horse had cancer and had never been abused. I then decided to check out their website some more..by golly they are nasty. Called a woman Jeffry Dalmer so I looked her up and she won her case against them. They have not filed for 2011 and I checked with IRS (I am now checking out everyone I give money to) and 2010 is not complete. Now I read on a forum that there are Draft Horses in trouble and they will only take them if someone else will pay for transportation.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Unlikely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
No
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
No
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
5 people found this review helpful
September 12, 2012
5 people found this review helpful
Over this past summer, I visited Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue several times looking at horses to possibly adopt. I found this rescue to far exceed my expectations of care and integrity. While visiting, I got to know and see the wonderful volunteers and saints who run this place. When I found my "heart horse" at another rescue, they were supportive of me moving forward, and even have offered advice and support. They truly want to see all horses rescued and loved, and I appreciate that.
More feedback...
How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
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