Brenda York, a retired director of disability and veteran services at Montana State University, now dedicates her time to running Cowboy Heaven Miniature Horse Safe Haven, a rescue for abused and medically needy miniature horses. Since starting the rescue in 2021 with just two horses, York has taken in 13 miniature horses and other farm animals, many suffering from neglect, abuse, or costly medical conditions. Despite the challenges of balancing full-time care with a job at Ace Hardware and declining community donations, York remains committed to providing a safe haven for these animals and hopes to expand the sanctuary with more land to accommodate more rescues.

Beyond animal care, York has found that rehabilitated miniature horses can serve as therapy animals for people dealing with trauma, including veterans and juvenile offenders, fostering healing on both sides. The emotional bond between York and her horses is profound, especially after the recent loss of one beloved horse, Macy. York’s vision is to create a larger sanctuary where miniature horses and traumatized people can mutually support each other’s recovery, but funding and space limitations remain significant hurdles.