LONI AND ZOE

They both share a tragic beginning. Just after he was born, Loni, a lamb, suffered a broken leg. He received no medical care for his injury—only the rejection of his family. Just after she was born, a birth defect made Zoe*, a human, unwanted by her family. Loni’s mother didn’t feed him. Zoe’s mother abandoned her on a park bench.

Can you imagine the pain of this kind of rejection? Your family leaving you behind because of something you have no control over—and you’re just a baby. This kind of trauma leaves a lasting impact—even if the one who was traumatized doesn’t remember it. It’s part of their history—their story always begins with pain.

But your support gives them hope.

Thanks to you, Loni and Zoe—and countless others like them—can find peace and healing. Your support has given that to all of them. And your gift of $30, $100, or even $500 today can help reach so many more.

Every gift helps—and if you give before December 31^st, your gift will be doubled!

A group of compassionate donors has pledged to match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $50,000.

That means:

Your $30 becomes $60
Your $100 becomes $200
Your $500 becomes $1,000

You have known us for the ways that lambs like Loni are rescued from harsh beginnings. You watched with us as together we hoped that his broken leg could be healed. You shared in our frustration when the surgery to mend it didn’t work and his leg had to be amputated. You clapped with joy as this sweet baby took his first steps in a big green pasture, fitted with a custom-made wheelchair.

But did you know of all the ways in which people like Zoe find that same support? And did you know that YOU are the one making a difference? Her journey has been harder. Zoe’s trauma followed her into adolescence and adulthood: depression, self-loathing, unhealthy relationships. She carried a weight that no child should bear, feeling “less than,” unworthy, and unloved. Despite her many friendships, she trusted no one. When her adopted family offered help, she lashed out in anger. She kept her heart closed—safe. And when the emptiness threatened to consume her, she tried to take

Zoe is not alone.

we are in the midst of an unprecedented mental health crisis—and it’s impacting young people more than ever.

Did you know that:

42% of kids reported feelings of depression in 2022.
20% of those contemplated suicide while 10% actually made an attempt.
60% of children who experience mental health difficulties have no access to care.

Do these numbers frighten you? Of course they do. But you can do something about it. When you give, your gift helps bring much needed mental health support to thousands like Zoe—something no other resource that she had could do.

Zoe had lots of support. Therapists, doctors, friends and family all did what they could to help—and they did help. But Zoe’s trauma told her that people who were supposed to love you didn’t.

And that’s what’s so beautiful about rescued farm animals. By every logical reason, they shouldn’t love you. Humans were the ones who caused their hurt—took them from their families, fed them unnatural amounts of food, kept them in filthy, unsafe conditions. Why would they ever trust a human? Even one who reached deep into their darkness and pulled them out.

But they do—and many like Zoe have been the ones to whom they turn for love. From them, Zoe can learn how to trust again.

When she was young, Zoe could come to hear stories read to her and the rescued animals together. She could begin to understand that every one of them had a start like hers—one of fear, pain, or neglect. As a student, she could come to summer camp—finding not only friends among the humans who didn’t care about her differences, but the animals as well who sought her out for affection. As a teen, she could come to youth volunteer days, deepening her connection to the animals as they learn to trust each other.

As an adult, she can come to the Journey to Wholeness retreat, looking back on her own journey and seeing how she and Loni are so alike. After so many visits, she knows his story. She knows his favorite treats and who he likes to spend time with. She knows that when he cries, it’s because he wants company—someone to sit with him in the sunshine—and she’s happy to oblige.

Perhaps better than anyone, Zoe can understand Loni’s journey. Loni will never grow back his leg. He can learn to thrive without it, but his body will never be whole again. Like him, Zoe will never be free of her trauma. It will always be a part of her story—one she can’t forget.

But thanks to you, she, like Loni, can learn to trust again. But none of this can happen without you.

Your support does so much.

You are keeping these programs affordable and accessible for people like Zoe. You keep our emergency fund replenished so we can rescue sweet baby lambs like Loni. You provide veterinary care like the surgery he received to remove his unhealed leg. You support trauma training for our staff so they can guide others like Zoe toward healing.

None of this is possible without you. There are thousands who, unlike Zoe, don’t have loving families or access to a trained therapist. These programs are no substitute for those important resources. But they are accessible to the 60% of young people who don’t have access to a therapist and aren’t in a safe place.

Will you help?

Please consider a gift of $30, $100 or even $500. And remember, your gifts before December 31^st are all matched up to $50,000. There has never been a greater need than now. And you can make a difference. Please give today.

With gratitude,