Congratulations to Amelia Savage, our March Volunteer of the Month! Since 2019, Amelia has dedicated her time and compassion to SAFE, and she has taken on a very special role within our Safe at Home: Community Assistance program, specifically the Serenity Fund (Humane Euthanasia). Amelia extends her support to families across Washington State during the challenging decision of bidding farewell to their beloved horses. Her kindness not only comforts the humans involved but also provides solace to any equine companions facing loss. With a heart as vast as her dedication, we are truly grateful for all that Amelia shares with our community. Thank you, Amelia, for your selflessness and unwavering support. SAFE is truly fortunate to have you! Learn more about Amelia below.
How and when did you first get involved with horses?
I know it’s cliché, but my mother recounts signs of early onset horse-crazy when I was just a preschooler. She was terrified of horses, but that didn’t stop her from moving us to a farm, putting me in 4‑H, and letting me buy one when I was 10. I saved every cent from birthday and Christmas cards until I had $400, which was enough in those days to buy a gentle Quarter Horse. That horse and I had many adventures roaming trailess mountains around Lake Chelan when I was too young to be scared of anything.
Do you have one now you want to tell us about?
I have a darling Appaloosa mare named Ivy. She is the first horse I’ve had of my own as an adult. I got Ivy as a two year old, which many wise horse people would advise against. For good reason! Ivy and I are on a real journey that has turned me upside down and inside out in the best ways. She’s going to make a fine horse woman out of me someday.
What do you like most about volunteering with SAFE?
SAFE’s priority is doing the right thing for the horses, period. As every animal lover knows, sometimes doing what is best for them requires us to make the hardest decisions of our lives. SAFE’s Serenity Fund helps horse owners provide the final kindness of a dignified and peaceful passing when the owner’s current circumstances are a barrier to doing so.
There are many logistics surrounding death that can be overwhelming to navigate, especially as it’s happening. As an animal end of life doula, I support the owners by coordinating with various care providers to minimize the suffering of the dying, their surviving herdmates, and the owners who love them.
The Serenity Fund to me is an incredible commitment to do what is best for the horse. It’s an honor to be part of this program and support the folks that come to SAFE with such care and reverence throughout their horses’ entire lives.
What do you do when you are not horsing around with us?
I have several careers and many hobbies. I manage the Corporate Ethics & Compliance program at a tech company that I helped build from a startup over the last 13 years. I am starting my own equine massage and animal end of life planning practice.
I’m currently working towards my equine CranioSacral certification and can’t wait to offer it in my massage practice. I’m also a musician and play cumbia sabanera music on the accordion. I recently learned audio engineering and am having a lot of fun with that, too. All that said, I probably spend most of my time curled upwith my two sweet chihuahuas, Rico & Lola.
