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About Us

SANCTUARY STABLES

Saving The Horse to Save Others

A 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization

Sanctuary Stables is a horse rescue, sanctuary, and Equine Assisted Learning Center located in the beautiful high country of Anza, California. Our mission is to provide horses for equine-assisted learning activities and horsemanship experiences to children and adults; including those who are at risk or living with emotional or physical disabilities. We are passionately involved with helping end the abuse, neglect, and slaughter of horses, ponies, and other animals, through education and community outreach programs.  We provide permanent Sanctuary, foster homes and/or adoption for those equines and animals.

Meet The Team

Nikki
NIKKI HOCK
FOUNDER & PRESIDENT

Nikki is a lifetime equestrian, horse lover, a certified equine specialist in EAL, and Expressive Arts facilitator. Nikki began her horse career as a child competing in Western Pleasure, Hunt Seat Equitation, Jumping, Dressage, and Barrel Racing. She is an Endurance Rider, competing in 25 to 50-mile rides on her Half-Arabian Joey. She has studied Classical Dressage, Natural and Native American Horsemanship. She has taught Foundations in Horsemanship, Hunt Seat Equitation and Centered Riding for many years in Southern California and New York. She is actively involved with horse and animal rescue for many years before creating Sanctuary Stables, which she knows is her spiritual calling. Nikki is passionate about sharing her love and knowledge of horses with others, she loves facilitating the magical and healing experience for children and adults who come to work with her horses, ponies, and other rescue animals. Nikki is a graduate of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy Integrated Arts Program in New York City and serves as part of the Equestrian Enlightenment Alliance, to help horses and humanity.

TRACY VAN SLYKE
DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

Tracy has a lifelong passion for horses; her mom often shares the story of Tracy riding before she walked.  With an extensive career in healthcare she combines her professional skills, personal commitment, and passion for horses to assist at Sanctuary Stables in providing a soft landing and safe haven for horses in need.

Offering an Equine Assisted Learning program at Sanctuary Stables which fosters personal growth, emotional healing, and life skills. Through hands-on interactions with our horses, participants gain insights into communication, trust, and empathy. These programs not only benefit individuals but also enhance the well-being of the horses, creating a harmonious relationship that uplifts both.

Tracy’s goal is to provide the horses with love and care they deserve while allowing them a purpose to benefit others and enjoying the remainder of their lives.

J.R.
J.R. HULL
RANCH MANAGER

J.R. has been a horseman for over 40 years and founded Cowboy Strong, a horsemanship program for veterans. He served as Head Wrangler and Assistant Ranch Director for five years at Manzanita Ranch where he supported their veteran’s program. In his teens, he was influenced by horseman Ray Hunt and Tom Dorrance and has been called the “Next Horse Whisper” by his mentors.  J.R. has performed in the outdoor play Ramona for 7 years and appeared in the television pilot Tuckers War where he showed off his skills as a horseman.  He brings a unique approach to our Equine Assisted Learning program by teaching Natural Horsemanship to veterans who suffer from the stresses of their service. He enjoys watching the interaction and transformation of service members when interacting with their equine partner. J.R. believes the horse provides the most honest assessment of our emotional and mental state and helps us heal stresses that hold us back from enjoying life.

Anglica
ANGELICA GUAJARDO, MA, FT, LMFT
LEAD THERAPIST

Angelica is a licensed psychotherapist with a PhD in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Certified Thanatologist holding a Fellow in Thanatology awarded by the Association for Death Education and Counseling. She is currently in private practice in Palm Springs, California where she provides therapy for individuals, couples, families, and groups facilitating grief groups. As an equine-assisted psychotherapist, she treats trauma and abuse, relationship conflict, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief and loss, and more. Angelica is a Field Advocate for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Lead Clinician for Casting For Recovery CFR. She conducts group therapy, grief healing, work day retreats, family retreats, corporate retreats, and team building.

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