The true reward of what GEVA is doing daily is to see the horses here at the farm content with just being horses without human encumbrances.

Glen Ellen Vocational Academy (GEVA) is one of America’s oldest rescue organizations, founded in California in 1995 by Pam Berg, who was then working as a steward in Northern California.  “Aftercare” was not even in the equine dictionary or vocabulary at that time, but Berg had the vision that the horses needed a safe haven after racing.

GEVA was founded for injured, retired, aged, abused horses or some just needing a home. GEVA is dedicated to preventing inhumane slaughter, needless euthanasia, or abuse of horses in any way, including auctions and “kill buyers”. GEVA’s mission is to be the best advocate possible for each individual horse.

The vocational school never got the funding to be operational, but immediately horses began to arrive.  The foundation has rehabilitated, placed and provided retirement and safe shelter for numerous horses, mostly Thoroughbreds. For these efforts Berg was honored with the Dogwood Dominion Award as one of racing’s “unsung heroes”. She was also inducted into the Equus Hall of Fame of the Sonoma Horse Council.  Most horses that come to GEVA become permanent pensioners at the sanctuary, since they don’t have the option of a second career. Nowadays there is so much emphasis on “second careers” that GEVA has become a rehabilitation and retirement sanctuary only. We want to give back to the horses what they have earned by assuring them a comfortable retirement.

 GEVA is also accredited as an equine sanctuary by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. GFAS recognizes our efforts to provide for the horses in need from the lowest claiming “warrior” to the stakes winners.

Over the years GEVA has had a good relationship with Santa Rosa Junior College providing exposure and “hands on” experience for their equine classes. Berg has also been on their Equine Advisory Committee for several years. UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Club also used GEVA as their wet lab for dental work until COVID stopped the visits. Several Sonoma State students also spent their “community” hours here at GEVA with the horses.

Clinics, farm tours, and other special requests may be available upon inquiry. Through public exposure GEVA attempts to inform and educate the public about horse racing and the inherent responsibilities of owning or working with horses.

GEVA is fortunate to have supporters such as Ridgewood Ranch, once the home of the famous Seabiscuit. We were honored to be a “stop” in the journey of the statue of his beautiful likeness en route to Southern California several years ago.

GEVA is located among the vineyards of the picturesque Sonoma Valley. We also have a 136-acre farm in Oregon, which is awaiting the donation of funding for development as a retirement facility. GEVA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation dependent on grants, charitable donations, fundraising efforts, and kind and generous people who love horses and want to ensure their well-being.