STAT Sanctuary: An animal volunteer's labor of love

Story and photos by Kelvin Portillo, Correspondent

In the remote area of Winchester resides a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the best quality of life to horses and other types of animals that are either aged out or disabled.

Save the Animals Today (S.T.A.T) Sanctuary was founded by Pattie Roberts (right) in 2007 as a way to save horses from euthanasia due to old age or injury. Over the years, the sanctuary grew to house pigs, roosters, donkeys, ducks and other animals from a similar fate. Nowadays, STAT has developed into a serene retreat for animals and people alike to bond. They host a myriad of activities for people of all ages to interact with them, such as picnics, birthday parties, and senior outings, but the true appeal of the sanctuary is how these animals serve the community.

“Companion & Therapy” animals is the label given to the more than 20 horses that each serve a purpose to aid the community. While they are more than happy serving the remainder of their lives on the ranch, it’s better to have them helping heal or bring peace in one way or another to those who need it, Roberts said. Carrot therapy is the term Roberts coined for the amount of times and how much people love giving carrots to horses. She said it has a calming effect on people.

Roberts’ experience in animal care began in the late 70’s. She earned a degree in animal husbandry before founding STAT. Her long-term care of the sanctuary and its easy accessibility to the public is evident; she allows any person from the community to volunteer and visit, especially people with special needs.

“The special needs community is a safe space for not just kids, but for adults,” said Roberts.

The sanctuary’s numerous awards and recognition, including the 2014 Inland Valley Business Foundation Community Organization of the Year, 2019 Temecula Valley Charitable Organization award, and the 2021 Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce Proud Member award serves as a reminder that it doesn’t take a whole village to help others -- only an entirely trained field of farm animals.

“The animals are very perceptive; they know when you’re mad, when you’re sad,” said Roberts. “They notice that kind of stuff. I have my friends say, You’re so perceptive.’ It’s because I read people the same way the animals read others.”

In talking about how the age or disability of many of the animals hinders their daily activities, Roberts comments that old age is not a crime. In fact, she has two giant posters over the farm to get the message across. She prides on caring for her farm and says age does not matter. The place is completely run by donations and volunteers.

STAT Sanctuary will host the “St. Patrick’s Day Party Fund-Raiser” on Tuesday, March 15 from 6-9 p.m. at The Chef’s Grille in Murrieta. People can donate to the fundraiser with a $25 donation online or a $30 donation at the door. Prizes and raffles will be held at the fundraiser. Anyone can donate at STATHorseSanctuary.org

Asked if there are any future plans for the sanctuary, Roberts said, “Somebody said you never go on vacation. I said, I live on vacation… I’m here.”