The Haven at Skanda is a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary and learning center located in Cazenovia, New York. Since 2015, Skanda has provided safety, healing, and lifelong care to abused and neglected farm animals while creating meaningful experiences that inspire compassion, connection, and growth within the community.
What began as a safe haven for rescued animals has grown into a place where both animals and people are given the opportunity to heal, reconnect, and discover new possibilities.
A Place of Love, Hope & Possibilities
About The Haven at Skanda
At Skanda, we believe every animal deserves the chance to feel safe, loved, and free to become who they truly are.
Many of the animals who arrive at the sanctuary have experienced severe neglect, abuse, fear, or abandonment. Here, they are given the time, care, and freedom to heal at their own pace — without pressure, expectations, or fear.
What makes Skanda so special is that the animals often become teachers themselves.
Their ability to move beyond trauma and embrace life with innocence, trust, joy, and resilience creates powerful opportunities for human connection and healing. Through interacting with the animals, children and adults alike are encouraged to experience empathy, emotional growth, confidence, and compassion in new ways.
Healing Through Love, Compassion & Connection
Skanda also provides supportive programming for children who have experienced trauma, neglect, abuse, or profound loss, helping create safe and encouraging spaces where healing and confidence can grow.
- Youth Programs
- Girls Leadership Programs
- Girl Scouts
- Equine Assisted Learning
- Self-Care for Women
- Silent Retreats
- Community Volunteer Opportunities
- Educational Events & Experiences
- Winter Fund Outreach Programs
The Haven at Skanda is not only a rescue sanctuary — it is also a place for education, community, healing, and personal growth.
Through year-round programs and experiences, Skanda welcomes children, families, volunteers, and visitors of all ages and abilities to connect with the animals and with one another in meaningful ways.
Programs and initiatives include:
More Than a Sanctuary
What We Do
The Haven at Skanda is built on the belief that healing happens through compassion, connection, and acceptance.
The animals at Skanda embrace one another’s differences without judgment or fear, reminding us of the beauty that comes from empathy, diversity, and unconditional love. The sanctuary strives to create a welcoming environment where animals and people alike can feel safe being exactly who they are.
Over the years, Skanda has continued to grow in response to the needs of the community — offering educational experiences, volunteer opportunities, retreats, and supportive programs that encourage emotional wellness, connection, and hope.
A Community Rooted in Kindness
Because of supporters like you, Skanda is able to continue creating life-changing experiences for both animals and people.
- Food and daily care for rescued animals
- Veterinary care and rehabilitation
- Safe shelter and enrichment
- Educational programming
- Youth and community initiatives
- Opportunities for healing, learning, and connection
Every rescue story at Skanda is made possible through community support.
Donations, sponsorships, volunteering, and program participation help provide:
Why Your Support Matters
Lori Olin, Chair/Head of Fundraising
Erin Zacholl, Chair
Sarah Peterman, Chair
Jeni Milligan, Chair
Dr.Sean Nash, Fingerlakes Equine Veterinarian
Linda Osborne, Executive Director/ Treasure
Brandon Martuscello, Chair
Nicole Woodruff, President
Dale Freebern, Advisor
Meet Our Board
At its heart, The Haven at Skanda is a place where healing happens — for animals, for people, and for the community as a whole.
Every rescued animal, every volunteer, every child, and every visitor becomes part of a mission rooted in compassion, resilience, and possibility.
And that’s what makes Skanda so much more than a sanctuary.
Love, Hope & New Beginnings