The Heart of Skanda
The Haven at Skanda is a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary and education center in Cazenovia, New York, dedicated to love, hope, and healing—for both animals and people, especially children. We provide a safe haven for some of the nation’s most severely abused and neglected farm animals, offering them the space and care they need to heal and rediscover their true selves. These resilient animals, capable of leaving trauma behind and embracing life with innocence and joy, become powerful role models for what is possible.
Inspired by their transformation, Skanda offers experiential programs that allow people to connect with the animals and explore new possibilities for healing and growth. Our trauma-informed, strengths-based, and anti-bullying programs support children ages 3–18, helping them build resilience, confidence, and social skills through animal care, mindfulness, peaceful conflict resolution, and leadership training. We also provide programs for Veterans, survivors of intimate partner violence, those experiencing grief and loss, and anyone seeking a deeper connection with animals and nature.
Beyond rescue and rehabilitation, Skanda is committed to conservation, caring for endangered heritage breeds to ensure their survival. We also engage the community through public education initiatives and our Horses for the Holidays outreach program.
At The Haven at Skanda, we respond to the needs of our community. If you know of a challenge we can help with, we want to hear from you.
How The Haven at Skanda Began
One February day in 2013, a single phone call changed everything. The CNY SPCA reached out to Marion Secor, owner of Skanda, with a desperate plea: would she take in 14 wild ponies, starving and stranded in the snow?
Without hesitation, Marion answered: Yes.
When the ponies arrived, most were barely clinging to life. Some were so weak and emaciated they couldn’t stand. One among them—a gentle, frail yearling—brought Marion to tears. As he lay in the straw, too exhausted to lift his head, she knelt beside him and wept for all he had endured. He was blind, unable to eat or drink on his own, and slipping away.
For seven days, Skanda’s team provided round-the-clock care—hand-feeding him hay, offering water by syringe, willing him to survive. Though he had never known kindness, he melted into the love that surrounded him, trusting completely. From the moment he was carried off the trailer, he chose hope.
They named him Modig, meaning “courage.” And his courage changed everything.
But it wasn’t just us…
The community was deeply moved by his spirit. A local equestrian who had helped rescue him donated soft straw for his bed, while two Amish friends arrived each day to help him stand. The local fire department provided a firehose—the tool that finally allowed us to lift him gently to his feet so he could regain his strength. Many others stepped forward, offering love, support, and respite, ensuring we had the strength to continue.
For seven days, Moe—small in stature but immense in heart—showed us something profound. Despite his suffering, he chose trust. In the midst of pain and trauma, he surrendered to love.
And from that love, The Haven at Skanda was born.