From storytelling to stable visits: A week in Maine

By Johanna Casao, Communications Manager –

KATIE CAMPBELL, President and CEO

If you’ve ever joined us for a domestic violence-related presentation or a Don’t Forget the Pets (DFTP) workshop, you’ve likely heard us say that it’s not just dogs and cats that can be affected. People consider all types of animals to be family members, including fish, birds, reptiles, amphibians, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses, and beyond. So, it was extra special when I visited the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) last month along with my teammate Minhhan Takemoto.

Since first meeting Peg Keyser from MSSPA in 2022 at a DFTP workshop, they’ve been working towards an incredible milestone – building the “A Safe Place to Land” barn with the grant funding received from RedRover’s Safe Housing program. These dedicated (and beautiful!) stalls will provide a calm, supportive, and loving space where survivors’ horses can begin their own healing journey.

Aside from the beautiful spaces that have been created, it was the all-in commitment of the entire team (from staff to volunteers) to this program that stood out. It was evident in every encounter that this isn’t just a safe place to land…it’s a new chapter for survivors and their family that starts with compassion and community.

Thank you MSSPA for hosting us, for all you do for animals and the people who love them, and for your commitment to helping other organizations do this too.

MINHHAN TAKEMOTO, Program Manager

What a meaningful week in Maine! As part of our ongoing partnership with Safe Voices, a domestic violence and sex trafficking resource center and survivor advocacy organization in Maine and RedRover Relief Safe Housing grantee, we paid them a visit. I had the wonderful opportunity to facilitate a RedRover Readers training for eight Safe Voices staff members and advocates this August. Together, we explored how animal-centered stories can help children build empathy, practice perspective-taking, and strengthen their understanding of the human-animal bond.

The feedback made it clear that the training struck a chord. One participant shared, “This was the best training I’ve had all year. It was a blast!” Another told us, “Loved this training! Very informative and inspiring.” It was incredibly rewarding to see them engage with the curriculum and consider how these tools could support the children and families they serve.

The week continued with an amazing barn tour at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA). The visit offered such a meaningful opportunity to learn more about the organization’s work and see firsthand the care and compassion that go into supporting the health and welfare of abused and neglected equines.

From learning how stories can foster empathy to witnessing compassionate animal care in action, the week was a wonderful reminder of how interconnected our work can be – and how supporting people and pets together can create stronger, more compassionate communities.