How we came to be wasn’t just a moment in time; it was a lifetime in the making.

 

If you ask founder Cristi Walker how the Happy Heart Haven got here, she’ll tell you it started from the very beginning.

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Cristi was born with a congenital heart defect called Pulmonary Atresia. Essentially born with only half of her heart, she underwent four open-heart surgeries and had a pacemaker implanted to improve her heart function.

 

Throughout every hospital stay, Cristi made sure to have a cow stuffed animal in her bed, they were always her favorite! At one point, her collection grew to over 100 cows.

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As Cristi grew, so did her dreams. In 2017, she learned she would need a Pulmonary Valve Replacement due to ongoing issues with her heart condition. Going into surgery, there was a 50/50 chance she would receive either a pig or a cow valve. As luck would have it, life came full circle: Cristi received a cow valve (a Melody valve!).

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That same year, Cristi turned 30, and her one birthday wish was to meet a cow up close. She found a local dairy that fulfilled that dream, and after feeling a deep, soul-level connection, she knew she had to have a cow of her own so she could share that profound joy with others.

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Shortly after, Cristi decided to abandon suburbia and move to the country to create a place where that connection could be possible. Not just for her, but for everyone who visits this special sanctuary.

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In 2019, The Happy Heart Haven was born! It grew from a dream into a reality with a purpose: to not only warm human hearts but to create a place for rescued animals to live their very best lives. 

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We are now a nonprofit animal sanctuary with over 50 rescued animals! We can't wait to meet you!