Scattered Joy – Rescue Animals & People

Joy Bartling was raised on a small town dairy farm. In 2006 she founded Scatter Joy Acres (SJA) in Omaha, to provide a new home, new life, and new meaning by rescuing abused or neglected animals. Later the ranch was relocated to 15 acres inside the city limits of Omaha. Bartling’s first loves were the animals who became her closest childhood friends and confidants when she felt she had no one else to turn to during a painful part of her journey to adulthood. Understanding that there are often deep pains in life and the many times that human beings were not able to touch them, she realized she was not alone. At the ranch, the animals serve as an integral part of the on-going mission of providing therapeutic interaction for developmentally disabled and autistic children, seniors, veterans, and at-risk children. Joy embraced her passionate gift in life which also would be a significant way to give back to the community. “Scatter Joy Acres” was created to scatter God’s joy across all of his acres. On the ranch each animal has a name, a story and a significance, which is demonstrated in warmth and love they share with every person they encounter. The interactions animals share as they meet with people are simply amazing. Programs or donations see: scatterjoyacres.org