Kimberly’s journey with Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary began before she even moved to Colorado. While preparing for a cross-country move from Georgia in 2022, a mutual friend introduced her to the sanctuary. Eager to get involved, Kimberly reached out to Luvin Arms before her move, shared her timeline, and expressed her interest in becoming an animal care volunteer. Within her first month in Colorado, she completed her volunteer training and has rarely missed a week since.
As Kimberly became more involved at the sanctuary, she began providing enrichment for several residents and, in 2024, joined the team part-time as a tour guide. Through these different roles, she has had the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with both the residents and the people who make up the Luvin Arms community.
Some of Kimberly’s most meaningful memories have come from seemingly simple moments. She especially remembers when her enrichment buddies, Teddy, Lentil, and Garbanzo, began to recognize her. For Kimberly, those relationships brought the sanctuary’s vision to life and deepened her understanding of farmed animals as individuals capable of forming their own unique relationships and connections.
Lentil holds an especially important place in Kimberly’s heart. She jokes that she would take this “sweet bean” home in a heartbeat. Lentil has been by her side through some of her best and most difficult days, including the loss of Teddy. During that time, Kimberly found friendship and companionship in Lentil as they experienced the absence of someone they both knew. His kindness and the relationship they have built are something she will never forget, and she hopes that any goats who may share her life in the future will be a little like him.
Kimberly credits her experiences at Luvin Arms with changing her in meaningful ways. The residents, fellow volunteers, care team, and wider sanctuary community have all played a part in her journey. She feels deeply grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a place that has become such an important part of her life and for every resident and person who has shared that experience with her.
