“There is a huge need for this type of facility because a lot of animals need this,” said Crowley.
“The seven-mile ride headed through the Coconino National Forest through Healing River Ranch and ended up at Jackpot Ranch, where we featured some amazing talent from Six Gun Entertainment, a buffet barbeque lunch, silent auction and prizes for the best poker hands,” said Singer.
The top prize for a poker hand was a custom saddle and stand valued at $1,200.
Singer is considering hosting another Equestrian Event in November. “Our monthly overhead is big,” she said. “It runs about $18,000 a month to operate a sanctuary of this kind. We have 25 dogs on special diets, so that food bill alone is $2,400 a month.”
Mike Crowley, who heads up a popular equestrian Facebook group called Trail Adventures, helped Singer launch the Benefit Poker Trail Ride and Silent Auction. “It was a success. It’s only our second year and it’s already grown.”
Dependent on donations and grants, Animal Guardian Network operates this one-of-a-kind animal sanctuary situated on 22 acres along the Verde River. Healing River Ranch serves as a refuge for a wide range of elderly, special needs and hospice farm animals and dogs. It’s a gentle place where they are treated with care and able to live out their lives peacefully in Camp Verde.
“There is a huge need for this type of facility because a lot of animals need this,” said Crowley. “Most of the time, people cannot afford the ongoing care, so they will put their animals down.”
Recently, Milagro, a burro, was brought to Animal Guardian Network after being struck by a car and shot in the head. “He is now 100% recovered and loves spending time with his roommates, Belle and Biscuits, in the special-needs barn,” said Singer, who built Healing River Ranch from the ground up.
“When Carrie moved there two years ago, it was bare. It’s unreal what she has accomplished. She puts her heart and soul into the ranch,” said Crowley.
Previously, the animal sanctuary was located on a smaller piece of land in Cave Creek. “I chose Camp Verde for the quality of life for the animals. It’s a slower pace and the temperature is about 20 degrees cooler at night than the Valley, where the ground doesn’t cool down. That makes a big difference because the heat can cause hoof issues. Here, they have a reprieve from the heat.”
“Carrie is determined to provide a sanctuary for senior, abused and special needs animals,” said Booth Communications President Fran Booth. “It seems her vision has no limit and she continues to expand. Carrie is not just an animal lover, she is a true guardian who eagerly shares her passion with others.”
“There was a feral senior bull living with the wild horses along the Salt River. He was rounded up and sent to auction. A group that oversees the Salt River wild horses gathered donations to purchase him and now he’s up with Carrie in his own environment,” said Crowley.
“Successful events like the Benefit Poker Trail Ride really help with our operating expenses. It also helps us provide much-needed improvements like shade,” said Singer.
The third Annual Benefit Poker Trail Ride is scheduled March 26, 2022. QCBN
By V. Ronnie Tierney, QCBN
For information about Animal Guardian Network at Healing River Ranch, visit animalguardiannetwork.org or call 602-568-5636.
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