My husband and I have been going to see Dr. Deb and her horses at United in Light for almost two years now. We are constantly amazed and delighted by the experiences we have each time we travel to Livingston to visit her and "our" horses. Dr. Deb takes draft horses that have been abused or tossed away like garbage and loves them back to health. She not only provides a safe home for them but she allows us all to be a part of the healing. I wont go into all of the abuse and horror these gentle giants have seen but now they are treasured and loved. We are honored to be able to spend a little time with them just to love them and talk to them. To be a very small part of this is a miracle. I have actually gotten emotional writing this!! It means that much!! Jeri and Ralph
Dr. Deb and her rescue efforts of the gentle giants is an amazing nonprofit. This is two fold effort, rescuing the horses and using them as therapy for those in need. The first time I stepped on the UIL property the positive energy was undeniable.
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United in Light is a place and a concept that one will never forget once they step foot on the property, the energy is overwhelming. The gentle giants are true therapy and Dr Deb is an amazing human, backed by a wonderful board.
Thanks to UIL for rescuing the draft horses (and Ashley) and giving back to those who enjoy the therapy.
United in Light, Inc isn't just about saving older draft horses, most of whom were bound for slaughter. They, the horses, help people heal.
I visited United in Light after my last treatment of chemotherapy and radiation for breast cancer. It was a magical experience to wander in the coral with the gentle giants that call this place home. A very inspiring, loving place and the healing that comes from spending time with the horses is heartfelt.
It's amazing how much unconditional love I have received and in turn gave back to the gentle giants and Ashley (cannot forget Aslhley). The photo i am attaching is one me and Wonder, when she first came to the ranch she did not trust me enough to even get close to her and now she blessed me by allowing me to get in close to take a selfie. When life gets challenging I pull up this picture and remember that she is awaiting my next visit. And it is thanks to Dr. DEB, the U.I.L. board of directors, all donors great &small and volunteers as nothing is possible without all you do.
Dr. Deborah Derr has passionately dedicated her life to rescuing and providing a forever home to neglected, abused, and about to be slaughtered draft horses, the wonderful gentle giants of our universe. Her continued deep love and healing abilities has been witnessed by me since she first established her sanctuary in Chino Valley, AZ. Moving the Sanctuary to Montana over six years ago has enabled her to enlarge her efforts and save even more of these deserving animals. I have personally witnessed and been involved with her work, knowing the inside story of her rescues and ongoing care. If I could, I would give her even more than five stars I have!
I came to visit Livingston, MT almost six years ago now. You can't go around town without someone knowing about Deb's hard work and love for those gentle giants at United in Light. Most of them come from bad, if not horrific, situations. With Deb's care and her healing hands they receive the care they need to make them whole. These horses make 180 degree turn arounds, from scared and hesitant to let others touch them, to eager beavers when visitors come to visit. Amazing!
If you want to meet someone who passionately devotes herself to her cause, meet Deb Derr. She truly walks her talk...and what a talk it is! The story of how she came to found United in Light is amazing in and of itself....and then you get to meet her "gentle giants" and you know her efforts are all worth while. Please, if you are ever within a hundred miles of Livingston MT DO make the time to visit her sanctuary. You will come away refreshed and amazed.
United in Light is a wonderful home for older draft horses to go live out the rest of their days in peace and serenity. Dr. Deborah Derr takes fantastic care of every animal at the Rescue, and is so welcoming to volunteers. I spent six weeks with her and her gentle giants last summer, and I would love to do it again. Deb works so hard to raise funds to provide these horses with everything they need, and to allow her to reach out and rescue more horses in the future. Just this winter she raised the money to build a new, wind-proof shelter for the horses when the wind walls that had so faithfully withstood the powerful Livingston winds lost the battle and fell. And she accomplished it in time to get the shelter built before the hard snows hit! United in Light is the nation's only 501(c)(3) organization that offers a retirement home for older draft horses, and the cause is so important! These horses have worked their whole lives, unable to just be horses. Here, they finally get the chance to do just that: be horses. It's such a life-changing experience working with Deb and the horses. I hope I get the chance to do it again soon!
United In Light is a wonderful home for draft horses where they aer understood, loved unconditionally, and listened to. Dr. Deborah Derr is an exceptional being who lives the oneness of all life. Bing in the presence of the magificant beings who live there is a humbling experience.
Review from Guidestar