I am Willow — born of the wild winds and rounded up at just a few days old. Though I lost my family, I never lost my spirit. I came to Queens Lane Sanctuary not to be broken, but to remain whole — wild, free, and fiercely myself. Here, I am not just a resident - I am the heart and soul of this land. I will never be ridden. I will never be tamed. I will always be loved.

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As Chief Executive Equine Officer, it is my solemn duty to ensure that every horse here - my fellow conspecifics - is protected, respected, and never compromised. This sanctuary is a place where wildness is honored, where healing happens on horse terms, and where freedom is forever. Welcome to my domain.

My passion for horses ignited at 5 years old when I moved onto Queens Lane in Petaluma, CA, in 1989. It was here that I met a little senior Shetland mare, called Christy, who laid the foundation for my love of horses. I was raised in the traditional methods of horsemanship and during my youth rode on the drill team with PRDC under my Arabian horse, called Peridom, and in the Parades under my quarter horse, called Cal. These two were my heart horses and fueled my passion for all equines. 

In 2019, I adopted C.J., a yearling colt whose mother had been saved from slaughter, while carrying him in her belly, by Pregnant Mare Rescue. I became educated on the dark underbelly of the horse world where the auction lots are pipelines to slaughter houses for tens of thousands of horses annually. Under the mentorship of the wonderful women at Pregnant Mare Rescue, the ranch on Queens Lane became a satellite location for rescue efforts. Notably, we rescued 22 horses from the slaughter pipeline and placed 9 into loving forever homes. In August 2023, I founded Queens Lane Sanctuary to offer the assurance of lifelong refuge to all of the horses in our care. We currently have 24 equine residents.

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When I became involved in rescue, I was introduced to philosophies and methods founded in mutual trust, partnership and respect that shifted my entire approach to horsemanship, miles away from the traditional methods in which I was raised. I found myself immersed in a world of equine companions, who soon became my closest friends, and the partnerships we forged changed my life forever. I have since given up riding and enjoy my time with horses on the ground, simply existing with them, in the present moment. 

Mary Clementine Ronstadt grew up surrounded by a deep respect for animals, a value passed down by her mother, acclaimed singer and lifelong animal advocate Linda Ronstadt. Raised in a uniquely nurturing environment, Mary also formed close bonds with the people who helped shape her life—one of whom, Hannah Cahoon, later introduced her to Queens Lane Sanctuary, where she found a true sense of home.

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Mary has been around horses her entire life and believes strongly in honoring the emotional intelligence and healing presence they offer. Diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, anxiety, and depression, she credits her work with horses for helping her develop a deep understanding of herself and others—without letting diagnoses define her identity.

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A passionate artist, Mary specializes in custom pet portraits, capturing each animal’s unique spirit through her vibrant, heartfelt paintings. She brings creativity, empathy, and a lifelong love of animals to her work at Queens Lane Sanctuary and is always eager to learn, grow, and connect.

Anne’s mother had a tall proud Tennessee Walker named Lady.  Anne was on the back of this horse before she could walk. A few years later after Lady’s passing, her parents rescued a big black pacer named Robert Watson from the Del Mar Racetrack.   They rescued another Pacer, Cry Havoc, who became Anne’s best friend and constant companion until she left for college.  

Anne is retired from teaching upper elementary school.  She believes in giving back so she mentors high school kids at Ceres Garden, is a reading tutor at Wright School, and coaches volleyball at J.X. Wilson clinics, occasionally refereeing matches.

Anne began volunteering at Pregnant Mare Rescue in 2022 because horses are in her blood.  She joined Queen’s Lane Sanctuary Board in 2025 because there is a peace and a healing in the barn and being on the board is a way to give back the joy.  Her work at the sanctuary involves working with the horses, grooming, feeding, socializing and of course, mucking.  She finds needs that require fulfilling, like a loft full of saddles and equipment that needed distributing.  Anne has a life-long love of horses, a need to continually learn more about them, their herd relationships and their interactions with humans.  She feels her contribution is recognizing a need at the ranch and searching for a way to meet that need. She has seen the sadness and fear in horses who have arrived traumatized and have since found comfort and belonging, are building trust, and are blossoming at Queen’s Lane Sanctuary.  Anne wants to immerse herself in the healing of the barn.

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My journey began in Marin County, where I grew up with a deep love for horses. From an early age, they were a source of wonder, comfort, and inspiration. My first horse, Token, played a defining role in my formative years, teaching me not only how to ride and care for a horse, but also the values of patience, trust, responsibility, and deep mutual respect. The bond I shared with Token laid the foundation for a lifelong connection to horses.

As life unfolded, my path led me north to Sonoma County, where my relationship with horses evolved in new and meaningful ways through Queens Lane Sanctuary. I became involved with the sanctuary, a place dedicated to providing safety, healing, and dignity to horses in need. Through Queens Lane Sanctuary, I found a way to give back to the animals that had given me so much throughout my life. I remain committed to continuing my growth alongside these extraordinary beings and to protecting and honoring them for life.

Megan has been volunteering with horses for over a year, joining QLS in 2025.  She is deeply passionate about both animal rights and human rights and has been working in online safety space for over 12 years. Her love for horses began in childhood and as an adult, she has continued her passion through volunteer work and formal training. Megan has developed a deep respect for the way horses help us heal and guide us toward becoming more mindful, gentle humans. 

I’ve always had a love of animals. I have experience as a volunteer at dog, cat and rabbit rescues and a raptor rescue/educational program. I worked with poultry in graduate school and was a teaching assistant for animal behavior courses. However, I did not have much experience working with horses when I started volunteering with Queens Lane Sanctuary in September 2022 and have learned so much about how horses communicate and how to care for horses. It’s been a wonderful experience for me, and I find being around the animals at Queens Lane to be very therapeutic. My job as a mental health nurse practitioner is often mentally and emotionally demanding, and it amazes me how every Friday when I spend time with the horses, my stress melts away and I leave the sanctuary feeling lighter and happier.

Diana Avalos has over 20 years of experience in the Human Services field, specializing in addiction and recovery. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Spiritual Psychology and is a Certified Drug and Alcohol Counselor. Diana integrates healing practices such as meditation and mindfulness with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), positive thinking, trauma-informed care, and grief counseling  to support individuals on their journey to recovery.

From the time she was six years old, horses weren’t just animals to her — they were magic. While other kids dreamed of toys and cartoons, she dreamed of hooves thundering across open fields and the quiet connection between horse and human. That childhood spark never faded; it only grew stronger with time.

By trade, she has been a professional hair designer since 1990 — an artist at heart who understands patience, detail, and transformation. While she built a successful career helping people feel confident and beautiful, her love for horses quietly galloped alongside her every step of the way.

Between 5th and 8th grade, she spent two unforgettable weeks each summer at Thunderbird Horse Ranch, where she trained in dressage and even learned to stand on a horse’s back while riding in the arena — an experience that built not only skill, but courage and trust. Every birthday, her family celebrated her love of horses with trail rides at Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley. Those rides weren’t just gifts; they were affirmations of who she truly was.

Today, that lifelong passion has come full circle. For the past three years, she has helped care for more than two dozen horses at Queens Lane Horse Sanctuary — many of whom come from traumatic pasts and the slaughter pipeline. These horses require far more than routine care; they need patience, empathy, consistency, and a steady heart. She brings all of that and more.

Now spending several days each week at Queens Lane, she finds immense joy in being part of a place where healing happens — not only for the horses, but for the humans who love them. As an artist, she also shares her creative gifts with the community by hosting Sip & Paint events at the sanctuary and facilitating art within our workshops, offering participants another pathway to expression, connection, and healing alongside the herd.

She understands that transformation isn’t just something that happens in a salon chair; it happens in quiet barns, in early morning feedings, in gentle grooming sessions, in moments of creative expression, and in the slow rebuilding of trust.

Her journey is proof that passions planted in childhood can shape an entire life. From dressage arenas to birthday trail rides, from hair design to sanctuary care and creative facilitation, she continues to follow the path that first opened her heart at six years old.

At Queens Lane Horse Sanctuary, she isn’t just caring for horses — she’s living the dream she has carried with her all along.