Circle A Home for Horses is such a wonderful organization! The dual purpose of rescuing horses and helping at-risk youth is just one aspect that makes Circle A extra special. All of the staff and volunteers work tirelessly to care for the horses with love and compassion.
I have been a volunteer with Circle A Home for Horses for many years. Circle A rescues horses, donkeys and minis, some of whom are in very bad shape. They give them lots of love and attention, veterinary and farrier care and assess their needs. Their goal is to rehabilitate and find them their forever homes. Some are even used in Circle A's Equine Facilitated Learning Program for at-risk youth. Circle A has many volunteers, and everyone associated with them truly loves and cares for the horses. They show them that humans can be gently and kind, and that they are finally safe and can just be a horse again.
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I’ve been visiting Circle A for over four years now. It is truly heartwarming to see how some of the abused and/or neglected rescues can go from being terrified of humans to being sweet and playful and acting like horses again. It’s because of all of the love and care they get from the volunteers that makes this possible.
Circle a seems to do the impossible I have seen first hand some horses coming in horrible conditions then leaving perfect a hore named titan came a while ago with foot issues and he left healthy
I have the most amazing horses from Circle A! I’m so blessed to have found them. Willow, Cyclo, and Ransom (Don Ramon) have helped me and my family in more ways than I can explain.
We volunteer with Circle A and I now work with them a few days a week.
What they do for horses and people is amazing.
I cannot thank Circle A Home For Horses enough.
Circle A seems to do the impossible. Taking care of horses truly in need. It’s so nice to see a horse come in when they had no one, and then they slowly turn to become happy and start to enjoy life. If you have time to volunteer. Few places will be more rewarding than Circle A is.
I can’t say enough about my feelings for Alicia and Circle A. I’ve been lucky enough to be a volunteer for this outstanding organization for over 2 years now. Circle A takes on all types of rescues from owner surrenders to OTTB to slaughter bound horses and gives each and everyone their all. Circle A also partners with several groups to assist underprivileged children.
Circle A Home for Horses, is about love. The love between horses that have been badly emotionally broken and abused, and how they heal by the love they receive from adult volunteers, right down to the young children who visit.
Horses can feel the connection, such as this horse Elvis who wanted nothing to do with people when he arrived. Elvis now loves to give out love and affection.
I have been a part of CA since June 2015, when a special horse name Georgia Peach saved me during a very depressing time of loss.
With Georgia Peach and Alicia’s help, I learned how to take my loss of Kevin from leukemia, and turn it into a healing love between children and horses.
I have seen children who wanted nothing to do with anyone, get matched with a horse, and you could tell that child knew that the horse knew how they felt.
Children who feel emotionally broken may not talk to adults, but it’s amazing to see them open up with horses. I have 33 years of working with high risk children, and I am always amazed at how a horse can help a child heal.
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I became involved with Circle A 6 years ago, when I moved out from Michigan to be closer to family after losing the love of my life to Acute Leukemia after a 5 month battle. My sister was involved with Circle A, so she knew about the apartment available.
It was because of Alicia and Circle A, that I was able to heal my heart. Alicia took me under her wing in helping with horses. On my second day, a horse arrived, skin and bones, that I was able to help care for and love on, Georgia Peach. She was my salvation.
I have watched as Alicia, the Director, has not only helped me using horse therapy, but so many, many, many children that feel that know one cares. BRC for children is one of the best examples. Children would come out in small groups for several weeks. Alicia made a point of spending time with each one to get to know them, and help match them one-on-one with a horse. I was asked to be a volunteer with the program, having worked 33 years with high risk children. However, watching Alicia with these children was amazing.
These children would come out the first time, many with their hoodies up, arms hugging themselves, very quiet. Two hours later, they would have their hoodies off, petting horses, asking questions. Children who are "broken" will share with an animal many times before an adult. Through the Circle A program, counselors were saying how the children were opening up more and talking about what they had been through.
Horses that have been rescued, are assessed to be a part of the program. You can tell which ones really need the love. It's amazing to see how Alicia can match horse and child, and when the children start grooming, petting, you can see it's as if the horses are thinking, "this small human understands what I have been through".
Circle A is about rescuing, rehabilitation, and hopefully rehoming these horses. However helping children who have been "thrown away", has become a huge priority. These children need to learn to trust again too, that there are good people out there who really care, and that is what Circle A does.
I have always loved horses. Time and money prevented me over the last years from doing anything about it. BUT I began volunteering at Circle a Home For Horses 2 years ago. It is heartbreaking to see the condition some of the horses come in as but the transformation in them both physically and mentally is incredible! Some are special and become partners in our Equine therapy work with underserved youth and others find their forever home! I think I'm helping horses but they help us way more than we help them!
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I LOVE horses, when my Dad passed he told me to stop putting off what was important to me so I found Circle A Home for Horses thru a friend who adopted her horse from them. I meet with them and became a volunteer. It is so much more that a horse rescue, we work with at risk youth thru paired bonding with the horses. We address neglected and abused horses needs, both physically and mental to get them ready to be adopted to their forever home. The staff, trainers and volunteers are a dedicated and hard working team. I feel lucky to come muck stalls!
Circle A definitely gives horses a second chance at life… filled with love, care and dedication from all who’s involved with the rescue.
Circle A provides a valuable service to the community through paired equine bonding with veterans, at-risk youth, and many other youth groups. I have volunteered with some of the youth groups and it's truly amazing how quiet, disengaged youth interact with the horses, and their whole demeanor changes. Circle A has done a tremendous job of saving the lives of neglected and abused horses and they also give them a chance to be in a safe environment.
I consider Alicia a personal friend and almost like family. Her compassion, dedication, and love for the kids and horses are truly inspiring.
Volunteers all support one another in caring for the horses that the rescue receives. Volunteers are in constant contact about the horses, from medications to bandages to feed.
My experience with Circle A Home For Horses, Inc., is truly unique. I was literally saved from a life of Rx Narcotics and Opiods, Muscle Relaxers, Nerve Meds, etc., by a horse they had rescued about a month before I visited them. This Buckskin was rolling in dirt, which I had never seen before and immediately thought he was a little whack-a-doodle! Well, as I was leaving I felt a horse approaching from the rear. I froze with fear; as this was my first experience with a horse being this close and roaming freely! Well he walked right up behind me, gently nudged the back of my shoulder with his nose and just stopped and stood there eye to eye. When I looked into his big brown eye and saw my reflection, I lost all fear and just reach around and hugged him. That was July 8, 2017, and Devon's Legend and I, are still together! I adopted him a year ago and made The Buckskin Boo, mine! But the most important thing about our connection, is that I no long take any of the medication that Dr's had me on for more than 20 years; as a matter of fact I had just stepped down off an Opiod when I came to Circle A, and have not taken any of their medicine since. For the past 5 years Legend has been my Angel, a gift from God, if you will! You see, I have a spinal injury and the doctor's said they could not fix me so they kept me medicated for pain, which means I was a step above a Zombie! Legend keeps me moving, he gives me purpose, and he takes away my pain -- Equine Therapy at its BEST! I was an emotional and physical mess that day in July; somehow, he knew I needed help, he knew I needed him! Who knew that when I prayed to God for help to get me through the withdrawals and pain I was experiencing, that he would send me an Angel with 4 legs and fur? Not a day goes by, that I don't Thank God for Alicia Mahar and Devon's Legend! They not only saved me, they gave me a new life with a whole new extended Circle A Family! Therefore, without any hesitation, I highly recommend Circle A Home For Horses for the highest of any and all awards available.
Paula Whalen &
Devon's Legend
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Circle A Home For Horses has been a lifeline for me for the past 3 years. Although they are an hour drive from my home, I have to go at least once/week for my Equine Love Therapy as I call it. I was in an emotional and physical dilemma when I first visited this Rescue on a field trip for at-risk youth where I mentored, suffering in silence because I had decided to stop Rx meds that I had been on for 25 years due to a spinal injury. This was my first experience being up close and personal with horses but have loved them all my life. Who knew that a horse named Devon's Legend would change my life forever and I consider myself blessed to be a part of this awesome and loving Non-profit -- my Circle A Family! I see first hand the sincere love and care that Alicia Mahar and the other volunteers give the rescued equines and this is such an inspiration to me. Not only is there a love for equines here, there is also love for humanity, as shown by the At-Risk-Youth Programs and Camps/Activities that many organizations in this area utilize with amazing results and success. Although my physical capabilities are limited due my my spinal injury (a result of a collision with a drunk driver), I am lovingly known as "Legends' Mom" and have become a walking, talking, rolling testimony for Circle A Home For Horses! Why? Because for 3 years I have been FREE of all the hard drugs doctors had me on for 25 years for my injury; none of them were able to accomplish what Devon's Legend has done for me just by by doing what is natural for horses...giving me healing and unconditional love. We were both rescued by Alicia Mahar and Circle A Home For Horses. I was in so much pain and emotional distress while stepping down off opioids 3 years ago, that I prayed to God for help because I could not do this alone. That first visit to Circle A, I knew He heard me and sent me not one, but 2 Angels -- Alicia Marhar and Devon's Legend. To this day, just being there with the horses and my Circle A Family has my pain level so tolerable until I'm almost completely pain free when I'm there. I know the rescued horses feel the same sense of relief and love -- we know we matter and are safe at Circle A Home For Horses.
They are very involved with the care that goes into the horses. They respect their volunteers only have every seen great things come from this organization
I adopted Cash in July of 2021 and one of the trainers helped me train him and help in him and I becoming the awesome pair we are today. He went from knowing nothing to begin able to take 1st place in many shows, show jumping and dressage. I love and support what Circle A stands for between helping slaughter-house doomed horses and hosting a therapy class for kids.
I began as a volunteer, which was a wonderful, fulfilling experience. Then of course my time there led to me adopting my Louie. :) Circle A is a knowledgeable and caring organization. So grateful for all they do!
I tried to adopt from them and they had me jump through hoops . I fostered this horse and after falling in love with him I decided to adopt him as he was on their site for adoption. After finding a stable that other horses from this rescue had gone to, a local vet, ferrier and finally pictures. Then I was denied because of a dirty water tub that wasnt really dirty only stained and too many cobwebs in the barn. Did not see that but still they never worked with me or the stable owner. I felt like I could not get through to anyone but the owner. I asked to speak to the board or even the adoption coordinator with no avail.
I have known Alicia Maher for six years and I have personally witnessed the amazing work that Circle A does. They take in horses that are destined for slaughter and rehab them both physically and mentally. I own one of those horses and he is such a joy to have in my life. Without Circle A he would have been slaughtered; a perfectly healthy six-year old thoroughbred would have been brutally killed. It's unthinkable. Horses are amazing creatures that deserve a chance to know what a kind, loving hand is. I am so grateful for all the hard work and love that Circle A puts into each and every horse they save.
I had the pleasure of visiting Circle A in July 2020, in the middle of a heatwave. Alicia Mahar met with me for several hours, walking around the entire farm visiting different paddocks and groupings of horses. Alicia discussed each horse, obviously knowledgeable about their Individual story, shared why they were with that particular herd and what their long term goals were for each horse.
We went through each barn, run-in and paddock, nothing was off limits. What struck me over and over was the love, care and devotion for each and every individual on the farm.
I met volunteers all busy with their tasks, but pausing to give a pat or say, “What a good boy” or , “How you doing today sweet girl”. They didn’t make a big deal out of it, but again speaking volumes.
Each and every barn was clean, sweet smelling and properly fitted out for the residents.
This is one rescue that can be very proud of its accomplishments. They are doing it well.
I’m excited to be part of this first rate rescue going forward.
Each of my three horses came from Circle A, over the course of several years. Each one is perfectly suited to our family. It’s an excellent nonprofit, with the goal of saving horses and helping individuals.
I joined Circle A in October of 2019 and have been there ever since! I have never met someone as dedicated to the horses as the people at this farm. I started working there in March of 2019 and it’s the best job I’ve ever had. It’s so rewarding to be helping the horses and see there progression as well as veering surrounded by so much positivity. I would recommend visiting this farm to everyone, even if they don’t have horse experience. It is the best!
Circle A heals horses and hearts! I've been volunteering out there for about 5 1/2 years and it has been a wonderful experience. When the at-risk kids come out for the first time, often they have an attitude of anger and not trusting anybody because they've been let down so many times. It doesn't take them long to realize the rescued horses feel the same way. You can see trust building between the horses and the children very quickly and it changes both of them forever.
Circle A does a fantastic job rehabbing and rehoming horses. Their dedication to the horses is the best display of humanity I’ve seen in a long time.
Circle A Home for Horses has become our second family this year! We started volunteering with the rescue in early 2020 and have even adopted an off-the-track Thoroughbred for our family to love on in addition to continuing to help out as volunteers! It gives our children a place to learn responsibility, respect, hard work, and dedication to serving others. The work this organization does is incredible! From rehabbing abused and neglected horses to helping underprivileged children and our nation's veterans, their work is priceless! So happy to be a part of this organization!
I started volunteering here in February 2020. The staff is really knowledgeable and helpful. The horse all have different stories most. Each horse gets rehabbed with love.
I came to Circle A as a volunteer in March of 2020 and immediately fell in love with the amazing energy of the horses and people. COVID had put my entire family’s life on hold, I was losing connection with my community and my family was struggling with this new way of life.
When I came to Circle A I found a new purpose and It seemed that the world of COVID disappeared whenever I was there. My family noticed a difference in my attitude and started to volunteer with me. This was the first time my family had come together to volunteer without being forced. I spend almost everyday sharing my experiences with everyone I know hoping that they will come experience the unique therapeutic benefit Circle A has to offer