LAVIDGE IMPACT Volunteers Make a Difference for Retired Racehorses

LAVIDGE IMPACT Volunteers Make a Difference for Retired Racehorses at Arizona Rescue

PHOENIX - (March 23, 2022) - Imagine a nice, quiet place where retired racehorses can eat hay, bask in the Arizona sunlight and otherwise be without so much as a hint of a starting gate anywhere nearby.

That's what nearly a dozen volunteers found when LAVIDGE IMPACT visited After the Homestretch-Arizona, a rescue for racehorses whose racing days are in the past.

Each LAVIDGE employee who participated gave up part of their regular workday to pitch hay, prepare vitamin-enriched meals customized individually for all 69 horses on site, clean and fill water tanks, or muck out the stalls. 

It's all part of the northeast Phoenix 501(c)(3)'s mission to recondition, retrain and re-home horses who are in need of a quieter lifestyle after years of running around a racetrack at lightning speed.

Established in 2011, the non-profit exists to give ex-racehorses a second chance.

While some LAVIDGE employees had prior experience working with horses, most did not. It's not required, however, because Susan Hayes, vice president & director of operations, doubles as a volunteer coordinator. Dannielle Marturana, president and founder, is also on hand to show helpers what needs to be done, and how.

Volunteers are welcome, and needed, 365 days per year at 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for 2- to 3-hour shifts. Contact the rescue for information on how to volunteer at 623.205.8528 and to schedule an appointment to visit.

Photo: LAVIDGIANS L-R: Austin Wayman, Ashley Fletcher, Betsey Griffin Jones, Sandra Torre, RuthAnn Hogue, Anne Robertson, Jessica Medved, Sabrina Norris, Tereza Fritz, Rebecca Sheehan, and Alicia Wadas.