The Dugan family are regular visitors to H&S and have become a significant part of the H&S community. They first visited in Feb 2020 for son, Finn’s birthday and it was love at first sight. “We are big animal lovers and Renee has created such an amazing place where animals and humans can come together in a safe space” (Katie Dugan). Renee’s rescuing habits have also rubbed off on the Dugan family as they have rescued several pigs and cats since becoming part of the farm.

Katie Dugan, a retired teacher/reading specialist turned stay-at-home mom, is responsible for the beautiful photography throughout our website. She is not only a talented photographer but many of her artistic creations inspired by the farm are for sale at the Hope & Serenity Store.

McCall has been volunteering at the farm since the fall of 2020. She is very interested in the medical side of the sanctuary, and often bonds with the oldest animals, especially her goats, Annie, Tippy, and Dottie (pictured here). She sponsors our cow, Chance, and is honored to be part of his herd. McCall is a Junior at Highland School and an officer in their Key Club; they sponsor three animals at Hope & Serenity. She is also a Junior EMT with a local volunteer fire department.

Paige and Nia started volunteering at Hope & Serenity in October 2020. They sponsor gregarious pig, Giddy and love to care for all the animals. One of Nia’s many long-term goals includes owning her own farm sanctuary one day. Paige and Nia are pictured here with the pig they sponsor, Giddy.

Tracy is one of our tour guides and is a great person to approach with questions about the sanctuary. She found the sanctuary online in October, 2020, after volunteering at other farms and rescues with her daughter, McCall. She enjoys being active on the farm several days a week and caring for a variety of animals. She often says she doesn’t know why she loves it so much, she just does. She has been a stay-at-home mom to two kids primarily, and works part time as a medical speech-language pathologist with adults. Now that her kids are mostly grown, she loves sharing her enthusiasm for the animals with our homeschooling groups and visitors. Tracey is pictured here with Huey.

Lindsay has been volunteering since October of 2021 and has not missed a weekend since. She had been trying to find a horse rescue program to volunteer at in the area and found Hope & Serenity. She works primarily with the equines, (the horses and donkeys).

“I am so grateful to have discovered this place. It has absolutely enriched my life for the better. I cannot wait until the weekends when I am reunited my H&S family.”

Lindsay is currently working on revamping the H&S website and has taken on the role of H&S treasurer. She also performs physical therapy on our Hackney Pony, Liberty four times a week to help develop the muscle in Liberty’s atrophied hip.

Lindsay is pictured here with Delilah, Jules, Violet and Minnie Pearl.

Forrest & his mom, Tara have been volunteering at H&S for about 2 1/2 years. They started in the winter of 2019. They first discovered the farm on a homeschooling field trip & realized it was only 12 minutes from their house so it was a no-brainer to make it part of their regular homeschool activities. Tara loves to feed the rabbits, Guinea pigs & Silkies and Forrest’s go-to is feeding the guard dogs & helping feed the herd. Forrest & Tara come together every Tuesday and Forrest comes alone on Thursdays. Tara is pictured here with baby Liam and Forrest is holding Baby Opal.