Meet Aimee Takaha

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Takaha.

Hi Aimee, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
It started with a pig about 14 years ago, that was the gateway to later become my passion and reason for being, rescuing animals and helping humans through the very animals saved. You see, these animals saved me; I owe them my life. It is my unequivocal duty to protect them and spread awareness on how sentient farm animals are, and how they help heal peoples’ deepest scars of the heart and soul. I suffered from PTSD due to a childhood trauma/abuse. I had all sorts of different therapies, nothing worked, medications, art therapy, psychodrama, so many talks with therapists, nothing worked. For years and years, I struggled, into adulthood, into my 30s, until the pig. Her name was Petunia. She opened my eyes and my heart to a sentient being. I could no longer eat bacon! Yes, I am vegan. After the pig, we soon thereafter rescued a calf from becoming veal; people were leaving animals at my doorstep, including a foal! These animals were in bad shape; by word of mouth, people knew I would make them better. Visitors, children with Autism who were nonverbal began to speak after just a few visits, depressed individuals coming to visit had the biggest smiles when they left, and as for me, my flashbacks stopped. You see, as the trauma happened to me as a child, I always imagined being at a farm surrounded by animals so I would not have to think of the abuse as it was happening. In reflection, it makes sense to me that I am now surrounding myself in what was my “safe place” then, but now in the present. Sometimes, when we take an animal so broken, it tears at my soul, but to see that sparkle in their eyes come alive again, that first time they trust enough to eat from your hand, well, that is everything! Then to see these very animals saved from slaughter or neglect, or the many I take born different, to see them helping children born different, is just the best feeling ever; I offer cow hugging sessions here where people can come experience the magic of these giant grass puppies. There is nothing like it; is something that is hard to put in words and can only be felt with the heart. We have over 100 animals here now, all rescued from so many horrible situations, all now living there happily ever after. We rely on donations to sustain, and it is tax-deductible as I am a 501c3. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Summers are rough for us; our water bill is extremely high in our summers. Then again in the winter, the animals go through more hay! lol. It all equals out. On average, our feed expenses for all our hooved and feathered residents here runs 6k a month. We also have a huge expense of vet bills. While we do get a slight discount, it is not free. With so many senior animals, special needs animals, and new critical intakes, we often ask the community for help when we need it. Every last dime donated is accounted for meticulously and goes 100 percent to the animals. We often go without things for ourselves, which we don’t mind one bit, it is all about the animals. They are my children. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am unemployed and have been for many many years. I am most proud of how many animals I have saved, and how many human lives have changed for the better after spending time with our animals. I was featured in National Geographic as part of the cover story “The Healing Power of Touch”, I was quite proud of that. Mostly I am proud of our volunteers who work tirelessly to keep the animals’ areas clean and tidy and for the individual animal care and abundance of love they provide to our sweet furry hooved and feathered residents here. I consider them as my farm family, and I love them to the moon and back! We have been really lucky to have such a great team here. 

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
We were renting a tiny rundown home on 2 acres in Gilbert for 10 years, the owner gave me 3 weeks to move as he was selling to a developer, I was devastated. Although the home was tiny and no AC/no washer etc., it was my home and home to the animals, so much love and healing happened there, so I began a fundraiser to buy it! The owner saw the donations coming in and raised the price 50k! I couldn’t afford it. I literally fell to my knees and cried, but you know what? I will tell you what: everything in life happens for a reason; no matter how bad it may seem, something better is in store! And it was. With many thanks and endless gratitude to our community of animal lovers and to the many families who were so grateful to the help we provided for their children, with gratitude to them, we were able to purchase an amazing new sanctuary. There is no comparison to the other. It is magical, and you can feel the magic as you walk through the gates. All your problems will dissipate when you enter our sanctuary. All you will feel and see is love. Pure unconditional love. Everything happens for a reason! Don’t forget that! 

Pricing:

• 85 dollars per adult by reservation to visit
• Group rates are available. Check the website and fill an event request

Contact Info:

• Website: aimeesfarmanimalsanctuary.org
• Instagram: Aimeesfarmanimalsanctuary
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aimeesfarmanimalsanctuary