Local StoriesMay 30, 2023

Meet Courtney Ellison

Local Stories

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Ellison. Courtney was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Michelle Lukasiewicz.

Courtney, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
After I moved to AZ, I became self employed which meant I didn’t have coworkers so to speak and my husband and I would sometimes go on MeetUp.com to try and make friends. I remember coming across a fundraiser being held at Goats With Horns Animal Sanctuary in Gilbert and I couldn’t believe there was a farm animal sanctuary so close to where I lived. I’d gone vegan years ago and knew about the plight of farm animals and was so excited to be able to attend a fundraiser where I’d be able to meet a cow, goats, pigs and more that were actually living a happy life! I fell in love with the animals and the sanctuary instantly and eagerly asked Michelle if she ever took volunteers. At the time (2017), it was just her and her son doing all the day to day work so she let me come the following Sunday to volunteer and I never stopped! Shortly after I started, another volunteer joined the team. I started coming more frequently and eventually giving tours to visitors. We saw this as an opportunity to raise some donations as GWH is a non profit, and we began asking for a donation to come on tours. I later took over the Instagram account (@goatswithhornsanimalsanctuary) where people can DM for information about tours, fundraisers and volunteer opportunities. We have had hundreds of visitors including kindergarten, highschool and college classes! The sanctuary has grown over the years to welcome many more animals which include sheep, pygmy goats, ducks, tortoises, chickens, turkeys and the others I mentioned. It’s a safe haven for these animals, and a blessing to all who become involved.

Let’s talk about your work and career – what else should we know?
Some of the animals here were loved family pets who needed a new home, but many others have experienced trauma and severe abuse. It’s amazing to see these animals become loved and accepting of humans and that wouldn’t be possible without Michelle.

Michelle Lukasiewicz and Goats with Horns Animal Sanctuary have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about MIchelle Lukasiewicz and Goats with Horns Animal Sanctuary and your experience with them.
Our only requirement for volunteers is that they first attend one of our tours so that they can learn each animal’s story, what industry they were rescued from (if applicable) and what we’re all about. After the tour, we can discuss the specifics of volunteering but we usually need volunteers to start early on Saturday mornings for a couple of reasons. One, we have the most to do on Saturdays when we do not only the daily chores, but the weekly chores such as more in depth cleaning of waters, goat playground area, chicken coops etc. Secondly, some week day volunteers are coming early before they head to work or school and they don’t have time to slowly go through every detail and train a new volunteer. On Saturdays, I can show someone exactly where each animal’s food is kept, here is how we give each animal whichever medicine they need, this is how we use the turf rake etc. We don’t have sign up requirements or a necessary number of hours that a volunteer must stay or commit to. We try and make things very relaxed and fun, including volunteer potlucks! There is always something to do. In the fall, we need leaves raked, sometimes we need weeds pulled or a fence mended. There is always poo to shovel, an area to be swept, or an animal who wants to be brushed. Over the years I’ve built deep friendships with the animals and I love seeing and spending time with them every time I come back!