Animal Sanctuary

Hillenbrands Provide a Home for Rescued Animals

by Laura Badal

Jessica Hillenbrand’s love of animals began at a young age when her father, an established veterinarian, would bring home what she called “misfits.”

“That's really when my passion for animals started,” says Hillenbrand. “My dad would bring home the ones nobody wanted or those dropped off at his clinic.”

As a young girl growing up in the outskirts of Mesa, Hillenbrand, wife of former Arizona Diamondbacks player Shea Hillenbrand, lived what she considered an ordinary life. But one day, she would be surrounded by 200 rescued animals, commanding the attention of local TV and newspaper news outlets, which would help bring awareness to her cause.

Hillenbrand’s devotion for saving animals grew over the years and rivaled that of her husband, a self-proclaimed “deprived farmer” who in 2007 purchased a 25-acre farm in Gilbert. “I think I lived the life he always wanted to live but couldn't because he was in a big city,” she says. “He always said he would love to have a farm. It was his dream.”

The property was an ideal home for the couple, their three adopted children and a black schnauzer called Marley. Soon, the farm grew into a sanctuary for all kinds of domestic and exotic animals that had been victims of neglect and abuse. The Hillenbrands were credited last year with saving 13 horses from a feed lot in Fallon, Nev., and 32 dogs from animal control centers in Superior and Apache Junction, just hours before the animals were scheduled to be euthanized.

Their farm and petting zoo, which the couple has lovingly named Marley Farms in memory of their first pet, is now home to llamas, camels, kangaroos, tortoises, goats, miniature cows and a donkey/zebra hybrid known as a zonkey. “You can't save all the animals, but we can do our part. And we're doing our part,” Shea explained in a recent TV interview.

AGAINST ALL ODDS

For the Hillenbrands, doing right by the community also means opening their farm and their hearts to children. Consequently, they founded the nonprofit organization, Against All Odds. The goal of the foundation is to provide a positive and therapeutic learning and recreational experience for underprivileged and special-needs children. Hillenbrand says watching the interaction between the children and the animals is her biggest reward. “We get some pretty excited kids here,” she says. “The Corona Del Sol High School special-education class came, and some kids who hadn't said a word the whole school year talked nonstop when they were here. That is what keeps us going.”

In addition to rescuing abused animals and providing therapeutic activities for children, Marley Farms hosts an adopt-a-pet program. The facility is also available for group tours and birthday parties.

Laura Badal is a freelance writer in Scottsdale.

www.marleyfarms.com
480.273.7299