Safe Hands Sanctuary has been established in Southern Arizona with a clear mission: to provide structured rescue, comprehensive rehabilitation, and lifelong sanctuary to animals in need, specializing in draft horses and at-risk bully breed dogs facing neglect, abandonment, and euthanasia. The organization also aims to lay the foundation for a future where healing extends beyond animals and into the human spirit. The sanctuary was founded by Chrystal Reeck, with the steadfast support of her husband, Jerry Reeck, representing the culmination of decades of hands-on rescue experience, holistic study, and a deeply held belief that compassion must be paired with responsibility and long-term sustainability.
Reeck is a second-generation animal rescuer who saved her first horse at just 14 years old, continuing a legacy instilled by her mother, who remains active in rescue work today. That early exposure to advocacy shaped a lifelong commitment to both animal welfare and whole-body healing practices. For decades, Reeck has studied and shared holistic healing principles and nutrition, integrating mind-body awareness, species-appropriate diets, and environmental balance into her approach to care. At Safe Hands Sanctuary, animals are not simply given food and shelter. Each animal receives individualized nutritional support designed to aid recovery and long-term vitality, with diets evaluated based on age, condition, workload history, and medical needs, alongside supportive supplementation and stress-reduction strategies to promote both physical and emotional restoration.
Over the years, Chrystal and Jerry Reeck have rescued and fostered numerous dogs, cats, and other animals, including hands-on rescue work in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico assisting with street animal intervention and placement. Those experiences reinforced their belief that effective rescue requires structure, education, and a commitment that extends far beyond intake. Draft horses represent one of the most vulnerable populations in the equine industry, as rising feed costs, financial hardship, owner inexperience, and changing agricultural demands have contributed to increased surrenders nationwide. Because of their size and cost of care, draft breeds are often among the most difficult horses to place, leaving them at significant risk when resources run out. Bully breed dogs face similar challenges, as breed stigma, housing restrictions, and behavioral misconceptions contribute to elevated euthanasia rates in shelters across the region. Safe Hands Sanctuary is committed to proper assessment, foundational training, and structured rehabilitation to create realistic pathways forward, whether through responsible placement or permanent sanctuary.
“What sets our sanctuary apart is our unwavering promise: the animals who come to us are not just rescued—they are given true sanctuary,” said Reeck. “Here, they live out their days at peace, protected, deeply loved, and honored for the lives they’ve lived, right alongside us.”
The sanctuary is currently in its foundational development phase. Land has been secured, and essential infrastructure such as fencing, grazing areas, and designated training spaces is being developed intentionally. Growth will remain aligned with secured funding, veterinary partnerships, and available resources to ensure that care standards remain uncompromised. A central component of Safe Hands Sanctuary’s sustainability strategy is the creation of monthly sponsorship programs, allowing supporters to contribute directly to the feed, medical care, and rehabilitation of individual animals. By prioritizing recurring giving, the organization aims to build long-term financial stability that supports permanent sanctuary commitments rather than short-term rescue cycles. Community donations of materials, supplies, and financial contributions remain essential during this early stage of development.
Looking toward the future, Safe Hands Sanctuary holds a broader vision that extends beyond animal rehabilitation. Once the draft horses in their care have had adequate time to heal and stabilize, the sanctuary plans to thoughtfully open its grounds for structured human wellness initiatives designed to complement, not compromise, the animals’ well-being. Future offerings may include pasture-side sunrise yoga sessions, guided co-regulation experiences with horses, and integrative mind-body practices focused on nervous system regulation. Leadership also intends to explore trauma-informed programming that may support individuals navigating stress-related conditions, including PTSD.
Given the sanctuary’s proximity to Fort Huachuca, long-term plans include developing a veterans outreach initiative that provides carefully structured equine-assisted grounding experiences for service members and veterans seeking restorative connection in a calm, natural environment. All such programming will be introduced gradually and responsibly, ensuring that animal welfare and readiness remain the highest priority.
At its core, Safe Hands Sanctuary exists to provide safety, structure, informed care, and unwavering commitment to animals who have known instability. In time, the sanctuary aims to cultivate an environment where that stability becomes a bridge for deeper restoration—where healing extends beyond the pasture.
Supporters interested in learning more, enrolling in monthly sponsorship programs, or contributing to the sanctuary’s development can visit SafeHandsSanctuary.com for updates and opportunities to get involved.
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For more information about Safe Hands Sanctuary, contact the company here:
Safe Hands Sanctuary
Chrystal Reeck
949-230-0553
safehandssanctuary@gmail.com
