Peaceful Acres Horses (PAH) has brought so many people together over the many years since our beginning. We have shared incredible joy and love, but we also have suffered together and at times felt deep loss and sorrow. Part of keeping promises and long-term care is that we are there for the really hard chapters of life. We are so thankful to the people and animals that we have be blessed to know. The generosity and compassion of family, friends, anonymous donors and people just like you has led to the rescue of hundreds of at-risk equines, and supports our programs helping people and horses to find new purpose and hope. We are a rare equestrian facility in the way that we are home to a great number of retired, senior and special needs equines that may have been forgotten or discarded if it was not for PAH and our supporters. A foundation of our mission is to allow the rescued horses, donkeys, minis and mules to age. We love them beyond their youthful days and we strive to provide for them in an ever-changing way that meets their needs. As they may not be able to move, see, eat and serve/work like they could in their youth, we still see their value and our team compassionately provides care. Saying “goodbye” is hard. It is down right devastating sometimes, but that is part of our role as an equine welfare sanctuary. We are here until the end and we’ve had to say a lot of “goodbyes” to our family and friends of human and horse kind. We’ve received love and sustaining financial gifts from many, some are named in the section below. This is a hard part of our story to share and reliving the loss is painful, but it is part of our story, part of our WHY and a huge reason for what we continue to do. Thank you for your support in helping People and Horses to heal, find hope and thrive.

In Memory

A Gratitude Tribute to those we have lost but continue to love, miss and be grateful to for their generosity, commitment, friendship compassion and loyalty to PAH. Rest in peace our beloved friends and thank you from Your PAH Family and the Rescued Residents you helped to care for.

Thelma (Tippie) & Edwin (Eddie-Bey) Beyerl

Laurie Moses Kunigel

Daniel J. Johnson

Robert Bernard

Joseph La Spisa

Perry Eastman

Carol Landolfo

Bob Gilman

Joel Reingold

Tanya Pritchard

Thelma (Tippie) Beyerl 9.11.31 – 3.18.19

Peaceful Acres was founded in Schenectady County in October 2002. As I sat with my beautiful mom for the first time at this special place, she said, “It’s Peaceful Here”! It was at that moment, the farm was named, Peaceful Acres. 

From 2002-2019 my mom’s love, encouragement, guidance, support and compassion shaped Peaceful Acres and my determined spirit to form the organization into a healing and wellness sanctuary for both people and equines. 

Together for years we tended to the horses, donkeys, minis and mules who needed us and this special place. We worked hard, smiled, laughed and cried too. We invited others to join us and they too fell in love with the rescues. A Family of Compassion took hold and has grown ever since. Through mom and dad’s support and tireless work, the sanctuary became a warm, calming place for people to come to find peace, inspiration and a loving hug from a horse or donkey. A vision come to life!

Mom had lived on the farm for a while prior to her decline from dementia. While here she visited with the rescues and her special horse, Cassie, who we purchased together in 1997! Her stay here brought mom into the Stable daily where she would find peace, despite the confusion of dementia. Her love for these animals was unmeasurable, unstoppable and a gift to them all. 

Her gifts to me as her daughter were the love-lessons she taught me from the time I was a small child, right up until her last week on this Earth. She taught me to have a kind heart, to love and be thoughtful of others. She taught me to be strong, courageous, a visionary, committed to my calling. She held my hand, wiped my tears, calmed my fears when times were difficult, as they often were.

My mom was limitless in her ability to help others to feel special, appreciated and cared for. Through her smile, the world just became a better place. 

Her smile is etched in my memories, her encouragement resides within my heart and her compassion is magnified through the legacy of Peaceful Acres. 

My mom shaped me, directed me, loved me, encouraged me to follow my heart, to do something to make this world a bit better, safer, more compassionate. 

I lost my mom in the living body, but her heart and soul live on through everyone, person and equine who has been impacted by the place and mission she and I founded, Peaceful Acres. 

I love, honor and miss you momma.

Until we ride again.

I love you, thank you, God’s loving arms are around you. 

Go play with all the horses momma. 

(Tonka’s story)
“Tonka is a 40-year-old rescued horse who has been living at The HighPoint pasture at the PAH Ranch since 2008. He is a horse with great wisdom, kindness and steadfast determination to care for himself and his herd buddies. He is a teacher, best friend and great model of an elder horse. He is very special and loved by all who meet him.”

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Tonka was one of the most special and kind horses. He would often wander the HighPoint Farm out of the fence to go where he wished and visit with who he wanted. Meeting him was a very impactful experience. It is not very common for horses to live as long as he did. We miss him dearly!

Tonka with Tippie Beyerl

“One thing Tonka was really great at was making us laugh! He had such a silliness about him, from itching on our backs to his funny old-timer way of moving around, and acting like he had aged out of needing to follow rules or stay in a fence. It is many years later now since this photo was taken, and his memory still brings a smile to my face. He is missed so much! -SL”

(Joy’s Story)

“Joy is a Thoroughbred elderly mare, who was surrendered by her owner in 2012. Joy came to PAH emaciated- no food, shelter, or water. She has Cushings Disease, and no functional teeth. Joy has put on approx. 200 pounds since coming to PAH, she is on a very special diet – and eats approx 5-6 times a day. Joy is one of the sweetest, kind-souled horses at Peaceful Acres.”

Joy was a senior that experienced extreme neglect before being rescued. Part of her struggles came from her lack of teeth! This is a photo (above) of S.L. bringing her some mash to eat since she couldn’t chew hay. Joy was an incredible animal. She must have been uncomfortable after experiencing neglect like she did, but she was gentle and sweet anyway. I remember her being able to bond with special needs people in a way that only horses seem to be able to with their non-verbal understanding and wisdom. We miss her very much.