There are a handful of moments in life that leave a lasting impression on you and volunteering at Tamaya Horse Rehab is definitely one of them for me.
For a little backstory: Every year, I have the privilege of planning our annual company retreat, which includes figuring out ways we can give back to the community we travel to. We were extremely fortunate to learn about the horse rehab during our team’s site visit to explore the property before choosing our retreat location. With it being right on the property and the cause being animal-related, it just made sense. The stars aligned and our decision on where to give our time got that much easier.
Last year, we went to the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico (please visit if you ever get the chance). This stunning resort is home to well over 100 rescued horses, each with a story entirely their own, but all sharing the same forever home.
Connie Collis, founder and owner of Tamaya Horse Rehab, and her team have poured everything into this place. Their story is nothing less than extraordinary.
Southern Hospitality Shines Bright
Nothing could have prepared us for the welcome we received. Connie’s team greeted 140 strangers like family. You could immediately feel that this was not just a job for them. Every horse has a name and a story worth telling, and someone who knows it by heart. That kind of dedication is contagious and our team felt it from the moment we arrived. Experiences like these give us the extra motivation to put our all into everything we do at Instinct Science.
When setting up the event, I worked directly with Connie to find ways for all 140 of our retreat attendees to get involved. We were signed up for everything from mucking stalls and cleaning saddles to tearing down and rebuilding a round pen. Our team took this very seriously. They put a whole new meaning to the phrase, “Strap on your boots.” My co-planner, Billy Piché, who is our Senior Manager of Events, oversaw the volunteers and stable workers. He got to see all the action firsthand.
“Spending the day at the horse rescue was a great reminder of why so many of us are passionate about working in the veterinary industry,” said Billy. “There’s something special about horses…their strength, grace, and ability to connect with people in a meaningful way. As we spent the day cleaning stalls, moving pens, and brushing the horses, it was really rewarding to see our team in action. Watching them interact with the animals reflected not only their love for animals but also the important role animals play in the human experience. It was a meaningful day that brought our team together while giving back to an organization doing amazing work for these horses.”
It was one of those rare moments where you could feel the energy of a group showing up for something bigger than themselves.
More Than Just Our Time
With such an amazing cause, volunteering our time alone didn’t feel like enough. We decided to donate enough money to help Tamaya Horse Rehab rebuild their entire arena. This arena is used for many purposes, including rehabilitating horses, hosting rodeo events for resort visitors, and offering other horse experiences. While we couldn’t be there swinging hammers for the full rebuild, we are proud to be a forever part of this place. If you do get the chance to visit, you will see our name on the arena gate.
The best part was hearing what it meant to Connie and her team months later. The new fencing gave them something they never had before: a safe place to tie their horses. Before, the arena was lined with panels where the horses couldn’t be tied. Now, the horses can wait safely for their riders and Connie has even been inspired to raise money to add shade along the fence, so the horses can escape the hot sun and larger rodeo groups have more cover too. One improvement, sparking the next.
“We have 126 horses in our care,” Connie said. “The fact that your group was willing to help makes a big difference. It’s made the arena safer for the horses and participants. When people come out and give us their all, it encourages us to keep going. Without people like you, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Why This Matters to Us
At Instinct, our mission is to care for the caregivers. And I couldn’t think of a better way to embody that than giving our time and resources to a place built to heal horses and the people who dedicate their lives to them.
Take Lola and Rosa. Two young horses were dumped on the side of the road, not cared for and skittish when they arrived. Under Connie’s care, they are already growing into beautiful horses with a whole second chance at life.
Our team is fully remote, which makes our annual retreat something truly special. It’s the time we come together to learn and grow. And moments like this one remind us exactly why we do what we do. Not many people get to say they work alongside those who truly give their lives to animals. I can’t wait to see how we continue to show up for the places we go.
Want to support Tamaya Horse Rehab? Learn more about their mission at TamayaHorseRehab.com.
