Becky became part of the Luvin Arms community in 2022 when she and her son were searching for a meaningful way to volunteer together. From the beginning, she felt she had found a place where they could truly make a difference and where she belonged. The respect, care, and value given to each resident reflected the way Becky had always believed animals should be treated, and the sanctuary quickly became an important part of her life.
One of Becky’s most meaningful relationships at Luvin Arms is with Shy. When he first came out of quarantine, his name fit him well. He was cautious around people and unsure about interacting with them. Rather than asking anything of him, Becky spent hours simply sitting nearby, making sure Shy could see her while always giving him the choice of whether or not to approach.
One day, Becky noticed Shy watching her as she entered the pasture. He slowly began making his way toward her, stopping to look away and graze before coming a little closer. Becky sat patiently and waited. Eventually, she looked up to find Shy at eye level with her. He calmly moved forward until their faces were aligned, and the two sat together. While this has since become something they often do, Becky will never forget that first moment when Shy chose to come close and showed her that his trust had grown.
Shy holds a particularly special place in Becky’s heart, though many other residents have found their way there as well. For Becky, relationships like these reflect what makes Luvin Arms so meaningful: allowing residents to make their own choices, respecting their boundaries, and giving relationships the time and space to develop on their terms. She feels fortunate to experience these connections and believes they are possible because of the respect, love, and care at the heart of the sanctuary.
