Imagine a place where you can go to relax and unwind while caring for and supporting animals in a natural environment. A place where people are treated with kindness and respect and animals know they’re safe and well cared for.
Judy Dyke, founder of Harmony Retreat and Animal Rescue, based in Huntingdon Valley, has visualized such a sanctuary where people and animals can come together to better their lives, and is currently in the process of making her vision a reality.
HRAR’s mission is to cultivate a harmonious and nurturing sanctuary for animals while enhancing people’s lives through educational interactions with animals, nature and one another.
Dyke envisions a small farm with an 1,800- to 2,600-square-foot-building with space for a community kitchen, where she can also set up temporary housing for small animals; hold educational classes like yoga, dog training, socialization for puppies; teach trap, neuter and release (TNR) methods for feral cats, and possibly offer on-site grooming; hold meet-and-greets for animal adoptions and potential fosters; provide on-site vet tech and animal care; and maintain an outside animal run and/or gated play areas.
“My goals are big, but I believe they’re achievable,” says Dyke, the former founder and president of the Women of Willow Grove networking group, who also worked as a dog trainer and has long been involved in animal rescue efforts. Her vision came to light during a mastermind class run by her friend and colleague, Claire Kohler, called “Put Your Dream to the Test,” based on the book by leadership expert John C. Maxwell.
“My passion for animals and providing the best care for them moved me to start a nonprofit animal rescue and retreat center where animals can find a safe place to live out their life or find a loving family that will adopt them. I also love to help people connect with each other and find joy in their lives, which led to the retreat part of the dream,” says Dyke. “The retreat will be a place where one person, a group of people or an entire family can come to rejuvenate and find purpose – to have a symbiotic relationship with animals and nature.”
HRAR is currently focusing on fundraising efforts and has previously held an artisans exhibit and vendor event, karaoke nights, designer bag bingos, trivia and comedy nights, yard sales and a 5K run. On Nov. 15, the nonprofit will hold another comedy night at the Comedy Cabaret in Doylestown, as well as hosting another 5K run on May 3, 2025.
“We’re currently in the process of identifying a location for a facility where we can house some animals, prepare them for fostering or rehoming, and eventually open our programs to the community,” says Travis O’Connor, a financial planner in Huntingdon Valley who volunteers with HRAR. “I met Judy through local networking events, heard her story and was inspired to help her bring her vision to light. The need is definitely there in the community. We’ve already had a number of people approach us who want to help out and volunteer. And the retreat aspect of Judy’s vision, where people can come and visit and help out with the animals, is especially appealing and very relaxing for a lot of people.”
Phase I of HRAR’s plans, which it hopes to accomplish in the next 6 to 8 months, is to open an adoption center for small animals – dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, in conjunction with either a store or small café, in addition to an area where they can host meetings and events.
The organization is currently looking for volunteers to help out with foster programs, finding adopters for fostered animals and transportation as needed, in addition to assistance in other areas. This September, HRAR launched its “Lend a Paw” campaign, with a goal of raising $75,000 by Dec. 31. People can donate individually or as a team.
“If 300 people get 10 friends to donate just $25 we can get to our goal of $75K, and we’ll have a party to celebrate in January,” says Dyke. “All of the funds raised will be used to get us closer to our sanctuary vision,” she stresses.
“Our goal is to provide a sanctuary for animals to live out their lives or adopt them out to good homes and build a retreat for people to come out and interact with the animals, relax and experience positivity and harmony with nature.” ••
For more information on Harmony Retreat and Animal Rescue or to find out how to donate to or volunteer, visit www.harmonyrar.org.
