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.

Horses have truly been in Anne’s blood since day one—she was riding on the back of her mother’s proud Tennessee Walker, Lady, before she could even walk. Growing up, her family’s dedication to equine rescue shaped her life, from bringing home a racetrack pacer named Robert Watson to welcoming Cry Havoc, a pacer who became Anne’s best friend and constant companion until college.

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Anne brings a wealth of leadership, education, and human-equine dynamic expertise to the sanctuary. In her early professional career, she served as an Account Executive and Manager of the West Coast office for a prominent promotional firm, managing high-end corporate clients. When the demanding long-distance travel called for a change of pace, Anne transitioned into education, spending years teaching upper elementary school before retiring. Today, she channels her immense energy into her community by mentoring local teens, refereeing volleyball matches, and serving as a certified Equine Assisted Learning (EAL) facilitator.

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Anne is also the driving force behind our volunteer community. As the head of all volunteer operations, she personally processes new applications, coordinates training, maintains critical records, and ensures our volunteers are completely aligned with the ranch's daily needs. Whether she is managing programs, solving logistical needs, being available for horse handling, or working hands-on in the stalls, Anne is fully immersed in the healing environment of the barn. For her, the ultimate reward is building a deep, personal connection with wary horses—watching traumatized, fearful rescues slowly learn to trust, find comfort, and truly blossom within the herd.

Annastasia has been a dedicated part of Queens Lane Sanctuary since August 2022. A lifelong animal lover and professional hair colorist for 30 years, she brings a caring heart, steady presence, and generous spirit to the sanctuary.

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Over the years, Anastasia has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours, consistently showing up for her twice-weekly shifts, helping train new volunteers, and lending a hand wherever needed. She serves as our Treasurer and Merchandise Lead and is a familiar face at nearly every fundraiser.

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Anastasia shares a particularly special bond with Allie, though she has never been one to pass up an opportunity for horse snuggles with any member of the herd.

Her quiet dedication, reliability, and genuine love for the animals have made her an invaluable part of the Queens Lane family.

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.

Brenda’s love for horses began at just six years old and has remained a lifelong passion. From childhood summers spent learning dressage at Thunderbird Horse Ranch to her years as a professional hair designer and artist, creativity and a deep appreciation for horses have always been part of who she is.

Since September 2023, Brenda has been a cherished member of Queens Lane Sanctuary, sharing her time, compassion, and talents in support of our herd. With the heart of an empath and a naturally soft, sweet disposition, Brenda has a special way with the horses. Her gentle presence, patience, and compassion are qualities they seem instinctively drawn to.

A talented artist, Brenda has generously donated many of her original works to support the sanctuary. As our Creative Arts Coordinator, she brings imagination and artistry to nearly everything we do. From hand-painted signs and parade floats to leading our popular Sip & Paint events, Brenda spearheads our creative projects and finds beautiful ways to bring art into our sanctuary community.

Beyond her artistic contributions, Brenda is a devoted caretaker and a wonderful example of the kindness and dedication that define Queens Lane Sanctuary. We are incredibly grateful for the time, heart, and creativity she shares so generously with our horses and our community.

A lifelong animal lover and caretaker, Jean Paul brings a unique combination of entrepreneurial experience, international leadership, and genuine compassion to Queens Lane Sanctuary.

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Raised on a farm in Missouri, Jean Paul developed an early appreciation and respect for animals, particularly horses, dogs, and cats. After establishing himself as a successful business owner and licensed contractor in the San Francisco Bay Area, he expanded his work internationally, serving as a Project Manager for the United Nations Office of Project Services in the Pacific island region.

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During his time with the United Nations, Jean Paul managed projects focused on rebuilding hospitals in remote island communities. He later transitioned into donor relations, working closely with ambassadors and government leaders of small island nations to foster partnerships and support important humanitarian initiatives.

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His experiences, both at home and abroad, have deepened his appreciation for the connections between people, animals, and communities. At Queens Lane Sanctuary, Jean Paul puts his professional expertise and hands-on experience to work improving and maintaining the sanctuary's facilities, helping create a safe, welcoming, and sustainable environment for the animals in our care.

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He brings not only valuable skills and experience, but also a genuine dedication to the sanctuary's mission of compassion, respect, and thoughtful care.

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.