MISSIONS & GOALS
Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue's mission is multi-faceted. We care for, train, and provide a healthy, enriched environment for Mustangs in need. Training is designed to prepare adoptable horses for forever, loving homes, utilizing science-based positive reinforcement methods. Horses that may not be a good fit for adoption serve as "Mustang Ambassadors" for the wild and free-roaming horses of the American West. Another vital component of our mission is to educate children and adults about the history and status of these special horses.
Although we do have two domestic horses in our care, our emphasis is on the Wild Mustangs of the American West. We strive to find permanent homes for Mustangs, whether adopted directly from us, or another way.
At our rescue, we provide each horse with the care, training, and social interaction it needs to thrive. Our horses live in a natural herd environment, forming vital bonds essential to a horse’s overall well-being. They participate in regular Positive Reinforcement training sessions, with the goal of creating happy, trusting, well-rounded horses that can excel in a variety of environments and disciplines.
Because we are a small rescue, we can take our time with each horse to ensure they are adequately prepared to find their forever home. Select horses are made available as they complete our program. Halfway to Heaven Rescue also has horses that may need special care, whether physically or emotionally, and will have sanctuary here with us for the entirety of their lives.
Many of our Mustangs come to us with baggage - fear and distrust of humans, trauma from being removed from their herd mates on the range, and a total upheaval of everything they have ever known. We work very hard to form trusting bonds with them and return their inherent joy for living.
TEAM MEMBERS
Lisa Mallory & Bill Finger
President Vice President
Lisa grew up with horses. She jokes that she loved horses before she was born. When Lisa was young, she worked with Thoroughbred racehorses and showed Palomino Quarter horses. Lisa's introduction to science-based horse training began in the 1990s when she attended an equine clicker training clinic with Alexandra Kurland. Lisa began studying the science of animal behavior and attending conferences and seminars with legendary animal trainers such as Bob Bailey and Karen Pryor. For many years, Lisa was a professionally accredited dog trainer who helped owners train their dogs to be excellent, well-behaved household companions. She also trained Scent Detection dogs and their handlers for competition and was a licensed AKC Scent Work Judge. Bill has always been devoted to the welfare of animals and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife Ecology, with a Master’s in Natural Resource Policy. As an attorney, Bill has a law firm, Finger, Nelson & Maguire, PLLC, specializing in Environmental Law. When their first horse came to live with them, Bill was a natural, quickly earning the nickname "Cowboy Bill" – for his use of “Cowboy Patter” (softly, continuously talking to horses) in his training and handling. Lisa and Bill share a love and devotion for the care and welfare of all horses, with a deep passion for our National Heritage Horses – The American Mustangs.
Dedicated to rescuing and gentling Mustangs in need, Halfway To Heaven Equine Rescue is a beacon of hope for Mustangs across the country. Our team of passionate individuals works tirelessly to provide shelter, medical care, and love to every horse that comes through our gates. With the guidance of our Advisory Board, we strive to create a safe haven where every horse can thrive. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the lives of these majestic animals.
Credit: Kent Keller Photography
Nanci Williams
Nanci Williams, RN-BSN, GC-C, is a lifelong advocate for humans and horses. After a decade of service to her community as a Massachusetts Police Officer, she was hired as an Animal Cruelty Investigator for the MSPCA.
When professional circumstances required courage and resiliency, she changed careers. Nanci graduated from nursing school in 2012 and continues to specialize in mental health, substance use recovery, and empowering vulnerable communities to lead their healthiest lives. She has volunteered at numerous animal welfare organizations, including Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue, the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals (MSSPA) equine facility, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) BINA Farm Center.
Nanci has also completed HERD and Natural Lifemanship Equine-Facilitated Learning Professional Level 1 in both modalities. A devoted student, she continues to advance her knowledge of equine behavior and evolve the partnership between human and horse, to process grief and support the community through trauma-informed care models. She is also a certified grief counselor.
Today, Nanci lives in Trenton, SC, with her husband, Roger, and their retired polo ponies: Hope and Joey, a Mustang named Sedona, as well as their Pugs, Bruno and Dumpling.
Advisory Board
Karen Young attended the University of Wisconsin – Stout, majoring in fashion merchandising. In the early 1970’s she relocated to Denver, Colorado, where she worked in the technology sector for several major computer companies in administrative management and sales support roles.
Karen made a career change, successfully transitioning to the real estate sector in both residential and commercial markets, handling property management for the most prominent developer in Denver.
In 2004, Karen and her husband relocated to Florida, where she returned to her love of fashion merchandising. Her talents in this area led her to work with several unique specialty fashion houses.
In 2015, Karen retired and, in 2020, moved to Aiken, South Carolina. Since moving to Aiken, she spends considerable time working with local non-profits, including Halfway to Heaven Mustang Rescue. Karen is also a talented artist - painting and gardening are two things she enjoys doing. In her spare time, Karen enjoys traveling with her husband, Kic, and doting over their sweet little Sheltie, Dancer.
Karen Young
Dr. Ashley Evans grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, where she found a love for horses at an early age. Although she grew up in the Eventing world, Dr. Evans gained a wide variety of experience with everything from breeding and racing, to therapeutic riding. She is extremely passionate about the human-animal bond and enjoys working with horses and their owners to help them communicate better.
Dr. Evans received her bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Virginia Tech, as well as a minor in Equine Studies, before continuing her education at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. After receiving her doctorate, she moved south with her husband to complete an internship at Southern Equine Service in Aiken, South Carolina, where she has stayed on as an associate veterinarian. Although she loves all aspects of veterinary medicine, Dr. Evans especially enjoys preventative care and emergency medicine.
In addition to being on the Halfway to Heaven advisory board, Dr. Evans is also the attending veterinarian for the rescue. Her skill, compassion, and talent make her the ideal veterinarian to work with the Mustangs.
Dr. Ashley Evans
Kathryn Gargano
Katie and her husband, Mike, moved from California to Aiken, South Carolina. Katie's passion was to have a country farm with horses and land to roam, and Aiken checked all the boxes.
Katie continues to work remotely with The J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center in San Juan Capistrano, CA.
When she is not working, she rides, loves to garden, and enjoys Aiken Polo, Steeplechase, and the many friends she has made. Another passion is helping Halfway To Heaven Mustang Rescue with awareness about the plight of the Mustangs in our Country.
