Our Mission
The Haven at Skanda supports love, hope, and possibilities for rescued and endangered animals, and for people, especially children.
The Haven at Skanda is a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary and education center located in Cazenovia, New York. We take in some of the nation’s most badly abused and neglected farm animals and provide them with the support and space to heal and emerge as who they really are. Because the animals are so beautifully able to leave trauma in the past and emerge in their pure innocence and joy, becoming loving role models showing us what is possible, Skanda offers programs that provide people with the opportunity to experience the animals and discover new possibilities.
The Haven at Skanda also takes care of a few families of endangered breeds.
Skanda is especially dedicated to supporting young people, and offers programs supporting children ages 3-18 with a wide range of life experiences and needs. Skanda’s experiential farm program is trauma-informed, strengths-based, and anti-bullying. Kids learn to take care of the animals while also learning mindfulness, peaceful conflict resolution and leadership skills that help build resilience, confidence and social skills.
Skanda also offers programs for Veterans, survivors of intimate partner violence, people experiencing grief and loss, and anyone seeking a connection with animals and nature.
The Haven at Skanda provides public education programs throughout the year, and the prevention and outreach program, Horses for the Holidays.
Skanda is dedicated to responding to community needs. If you know of a community need and feel Skanda can help, please let us know.
The Story of The Haven at Skanda
On a day in February 2013, Skanda received a phone call that forever changed our course. The CNY SPCA asked Skanda owner Marion Secor if she was willing to accept 14 wild ponies who were starving in a snowy field.
Without questioning, Marion gave her answer: Yes.
When the ponies arrived, most were near death. Some were so weak and emaciated they could not stand. The weakest among them, a sweet and gentle yearling, brought Marion to tears. She knelt down beside him as he lay on the ground, and cried for what had happened to him. He could not eat or drink on his own. The little yearling was also blind. For seven days Skanda provided round-the-clock care, hand feeding him hay, and giving him water through a syringe. Modig could not see us and he had never encountered people before, but from the moment he was carried off the trailer, he melted into the love and tenderness that embraced him, trusting us implicitly.
His courage—for which he is named—changed us. But it was not just us….
The community was also deeply touched by him. A local equestrian who had helped in his rescue donated bales of soft straw for his bed, and two Amish friends showed up each day to help him stand. It was the gift of a firehose from a local fire department that allowed us to lift him gently to his feet, so he could build his strength. There were many others who also stepped in to offer their love and support, both to Little Moe and to us, so we could take breaks to rest and find our own strength again to keep going. For the seven days Moe spent with us before he died, this little horse and his pure heart showed us a truth about the essence of animals, a truth that offers a profound possibility for all of us.
In the midst of great pain and trauma, he let go into trust.
Out of this love, The Haven at Skanda was born.
The Haven at Skanda is nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID: 47-4777339.