About T.E.X.A.S. Rescue
T.E.X.A.S. Rescue is not only a rescue for donkeys, horses and mules in Texas, it is a sanctuary for many of the animals that have long-term medical or behavioral issues that are deemed unadoptable, as they will need lifelong care. Those particular animals will have a home at the Sanctuary for the rest of their lives.
Tracy, Vicki and Austin Miller have personally been rescuing animals for as long as they all can remember, even decades before T.E.X.A.S. Rescue. All three realize that you cannot save every equine that needs rescuing, but you can give a new life to the ones you save! Tracy, and son Austin, were in charge of rescuing donkeys for another rescue many years ago, and both have a keen connection with gentling wild burros, or those that have been mistreated. Tracy and Vicki have had horses most of their lives, and Austin began on a pony at eight months old! To say that the three have a bit of horse knowledge is an understatement.
After moving to Granbury, Texas in 2018, the Millers discussed starting a rescue for equines in Texas. But, not until several people voiced their encouragement for an authorized rescue, did the three begin to seriously consider the massive undertaking. With a plan in place, a carefully selected group of folks were enlisted as the official Board of Directors and received its 501c(3) status as an authorized nonprofit organization. The Board is made up mostly of dedicated horsemen and women, as well as business-oriented individuals. Equine care, legal assistance, business decisions and an abundance of common sense helps navigate the Rescue's mission.
The acronym T.E.X.A.S. stands for Texas Equine Xperience And Sanctuary. Rescuing Texas Equines pays tribute to the donkeys, horses and mules that helped settle and shape The Great State of Texas! The Sanctuary aspect was discussed earlier. The unknown to most people is the Xperience. Tracy is a huge advocate for teaching individuals about equines, and from the beginning wanted to incorporate education into the Rescue's mission. Volunteers will not be asked only to help clean stalls. They will receive an ongoing education of important equine health, behaviorism, foot care, first aid, "Do's and Dont's", safety around equines, what to look for in neglected and/or abused and starved animals and general care and maintenance.
T.E.X.A.S. Rescue prides itself on understanding the importance of these animals to the history of Texas, as much as the animal's care and well-being. If you care to be part of T.E.X.A.S. Rescue, please consider volunteering, donating, sponsoring and/or promoting the Rescue's mission . . . Rescue, Rehab and Rehome!
– UPCOMING EVENTS –
Check back soon for upcoming events!
T.E.X.A.S. Rescue is now a multipurpose organization! Yes, we are still living up to our mission of “Rescue… Rehab… Rehome”. However, we take our rescue work seriously and we knew we could do more. Knowing the abilities of donkeys with their innate sense of picking out individuals who may be stressed, anxious, or having a meltdown-kind-of-day, we decided to give our donkeys a mission of their own!
We are staunch supporters of our Military Veterans and active service members. We also strongly believe in children experiencing animals in their lives. After lengthy planning, meetings and deciding on a directional path, T.E.X.A.S. Rescue contacted the appropriate agencies to offer our services of Therapy Donkeys to several organizations.
This was not a spur-of-the-moment decision to work our way into the mental health field, but one of personal understanding for our rescue President, Tracy. Decades after working as an Emergency Paramedic in a high-trauma area, Tracy thought he might be dealing with PTSD. After a conversation with a friend who was a therapist for Veterans, it was clear that he was indeed carrying baggage from previous experiences in that field. The therapist told Tracy that his safe-place was certainly with his animals! And, understanding donkeys was all too familiar to him as he has owned donkeys for four decades and had over 700 in his care at one point! Understanding the ability of donkeys came naturally to Tracy. Their calming effect worked on many people over the years, so it seemed to be fortuitous that T.E.X.A.S. Rescue could now share those donkey attributes with others that may be struggling.
T.E.X.A.S. Rescue is now partnered with Veteran groups, autism, special needs children, first responders, hospitals, hospice, retirement facilities, schools, and more! Through public speaking and community presentations, T.E.X.A.S. Rescue now helps many folks in and outside of their community! Our mantra made a perfect fit!