OUR MISSION
Equine Outreach is dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life of equines. We create a second chance for a good life and second career for abused and neglected equines. We raise the standing of equines in our community through education and an introduction to the transformative power of horses. We model compassion, speak out against animal abuse, and promote responsible equine guardianship.
OUR VISION
As we look to the future of Equine Outreach, Inc. our Vision 2020 guides the organization:
EOI believes that every equine in Central Oregon deserves respect, love and compassionate care. We believe that a community that values all life is a healthy and vibrant one.
Regardless of age, health or behavior it is incumbent upon us to make every reasonable effort to soothe, console and assist equines at-risk when their plight is brought to our attention.
EOI will improve the health, welfare and quality of life for every equine in its care by: focusing on a continuity of veterinary care, on-going volunteer training, high grade feed, and a constant focus on facility improvement.
We strive to learn how best to enrich the lives of the equines in our care by careful study of research, trying to understand the myriad of subtle, non-verbal clues in equine behavior, and providing opportunities for equines to recreate in natural environments.
We believe that prevention through community outreach and education is an important long-term solution to the problem of equine abuse, neglect and abandonment.
Rather than be territorial we seek to collaborate with our sister organizations, community institutions, local and national equine advocate groups and foundations.
As a learning organization we strive to constantly improve through self-evaluation, employing outside consultants and seeking a variety of critical input from the community, our Board of Directors and our loyal volunteers.
Finally, we will follow best ethical practices in all of our fundraising and finances.
OUR HISTORY
Equine Outreach, Inc. was formed in 2004. To date, Equine Outreach has provided sanctuary for and rehomed over 800 equines. In 2017 a new Board of Directors assumed control and separated from the founder in order to improve financial management and refocus on rehoming horses, equine education, and community involvement. Groups from all over Central Oregon rallied to assist Equine Outreach with the move to a new location, building all the necessary facilities and moving horses. Equine Outreach is managed and staffed by a dedicated group of volunteers and has been since its inception. Equine Outreach Inc. is shaped by its history and looks to an exciting future!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Dianne Scott
Dianne and her husband David have lived in Central Oregon for about 8 years after moving from Eugene. A few years ago they decided to buy five acres on the east side of town to escape the ever-expanding city. They quickly decided to adopt four senior horses from Equine Outreach in November 2017 as the herd at that time was being transferred to their new location at Sundance Meadows. They simply asked the new board to pick four older / least adoptable horses and ended up with the lovely Opal and her buddy Patch as well as sweet Fremont and his bonded pal, Freckles.
Since that time, they have been avid supporters of Equine Outreach. Dianne has a background in Project Management. working with a major software company but most importantly, a lifelong love of all animals! She started TNR (trap, neuter, and release) back in Eugene about 20 years ago - socializing and finding homes for many kitties – and now has a feral cat sanctuary of 15 cats, a senior dog rescued from Albany, four pet chickens and their horses -now with the addition of Sultana whose owner died and needed a new chance at age 24. Animal advocacy is a passion for Dianne and she is proud to support these beautiful horses at Equine Outreach!
Board Member
Dr Shannon Findlay
Dr. Shannon Findley is a California transplant who grew up in Gilroy, California. She is an alumni of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and she then graduated from UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Findley completed her internship at BEMC in 2010 and promptly fell in love with beautiful Central Oregon. She has been an associate since 2011. Dr. Findley enjoys all aspects of practice however her particular clinical interests include internal medicine, ultrasonography, preventative medicine, geriatric medicine, neonatal medicine and equine reproduction. Dr. Findley also has specialized training in large animal technical rescue that she received while heading up the UC Davis Veterinary Emergency Response Team. Ask her to show you pictures of her helicopter rescue! She has a strong passion for volunteering in international veterinary medicine (also known as equitarianism). She has traveled to Peru, Central Mexico, Nicaragua, and Morocco for equitarian work and even expanded her repertoire to include work with elephants in Sri Lanka in 2017. In her free time, Dr. Findley can be found on the slopes, on the river, on the trails with one of her Arabians, or enjoying just about any outdoor activity Central Oregon has to offer.
Board Member
Linda Goolsbee
Linda Ross Goolsbee, DVM is a native Oregonian, living just outside
Redmond on a 14 acre farm. She studied Zoology at UMASS, Amherst, and
Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University, graduating in 1990. Linda
retired in 2015 after having worked her entire career at Laurelhurst
Veterinary Hospital in Portland, owning the practice from 1999 until
2015. During her career she also served on the national board of the
American Animal Hospital Association from 2004 to 2006. Upon retirement she considered opening an
animal sanctuary, but instead shifted focus to equine rescue operations,
and has fostered many wild mustangs from both the Yakima and Warm
Springs Nations.
Board Member
Carol Kenion
Carol is originally from Coquille, Oregon where she developed her love of horses. She was in 4H and participated in the Barrels, Poles, Key Hole, and Quarter Mile in local rodeo events.
Carol speaks fondly of her home town, where they could ride their horses into town and the local swimming hole. Carol moved to Bend from Seattle about 2 1/2 years ago with her mother to care for a brother that was a long-time resident of Bend.
Carol has been an EOI volunteer since December 2018 and is such a dedicated volunteer that when her son Shelton visited from Charlotte, NC she brought him with her to work!
FOUNDED IN 2004
Equine Outreach, Inc. (EOI), founded in 2004, is a horse rescue, shelter, and rehabilitation organization. EOI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, run entirely by volunteers and managed by our Board of Directors. We work closely with the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, several other sheriffs in central and eastern Oregon, the Forest Service, BLM, local Humane Societies, other equine organizations and local veterinarians.