About Our Team
Happy Trails Horse Rescue non-profit organization was founded in 2023 by David and Dianne Scott. Now joined by the board and many volunteers, we are building our Team!
Our Board Members
Dianne
President
Dianne is the President and Chairman of the Board of Happy Trails Horse Rescue. She has a passion for equines that stemmed from a young age, finding joy and entertainment at a horse camp as a child. Dianne jokingly blamed her husband to explain how they ended up with horses in their life saying, “I wanted goats, he wanted horses and now here we are.” Originally, she and her husband personally rescued four horses and cared for them on their own property. After working many years in the corporate world, Dianne volunteered to be a board member, and eventually the president of another local horse rescue. She stepped down when she and her husband acquired a suitable property near Tumalo to develop their own non-profit horse rescue. Now it has become a 7 day-a-week obsession for Dianne, allowing for her to experience a special connection with each horse in fostering their care and wellbeing.
Dave
Board Advisor
Dave is co-founder of Happy Trails Horse Rescue and an Advisor to the Board. He grew up with horses and has been a huge animal advocate since a very young age, with many different animals. His love of anything winged, fur or reptile carries through his entire life. Dave goes above and beyond to ensure animals are cared for to the best ability possible. He is a man of many skills, including electrical training, a career in printing and computer graphic design, as well as our jack-of-all-trades research guy! He also heads up all healthcare guidance as well as all facility improvements at Happy Trails Horse Rescue.
Barb
Vice President & Secretary
Barb is a native Oregonian growing up in the Portland area. As an adult, she and her husband owned a home at Crooked River Ranch as well as having a small ranch outside of Portland in Scappoose. There they raised cattle, hay and timber. Barb’s career was in the commercial insurance field. In addition to her carrier, she also served on several nonprofit organizations including The Scappoose Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce, Scappoose Community Club, Scappoose Library and others. Barb had always wanted to make Central Oregon her home so she and her sister fulfilled the dream and moved permanently to Bend in 2018. Upon her retirement she wanted to become more involved in the community so began looking at opportunities. As a teenager she and a friend were part of an equine 4H project and owned a horse named “Moochy”. Wanting to get back to horses she started her search. She has been a volunteer at Happy Trails Horse Rescue for several years and loves it. Barb is now on the Board as Vice President and is enjoying helping to guide the rescue as it grows.
Vicki
Board Advisor
Vicki is a retired attorney who practiced health law and litigation for 30 years. She is on the Board and Treasurer of Happy Trails. While Vicki did not grow up with or around horses, her love for all animals led her to pursue an interest in volunteering at a horse rescue after losing her two senior canine fur babies. She previously volunteered at the horse rescue where Dianne worked and then came on board with Dianne and Dave when they decided to establish a non-profit rescue of their own. She has come to share their passion for rescuing horses in need from unsafe conditions and providing them the care and security they deserve until they can be adopted into a compatible forever home. For those in the herd who are sanctuary horses, she is devoted to Happy Trails’ further mission to support their care and wellbeing for the remainder of their lives.
Cece
Board Member
For more than 40 years, I have been dedicated to animal rescue and advocacy, working with dogs, cats, marine mammals, and now horses — each one deserving of compassion, safety, and a voice. My lifelong love of horses began in childhood, from the very first time I climbed into the saddle, and that connection has stayed with me ever since.
As a board member of Happy Trails Horse Rescue, I am proud to support a mission centered on rehabilitation, sanctuary, adoption, and surrender prevention for horses in need. Before joining Happy Trails, I spent years networking and fundraising for other equine rescues, but becoming part of a hands-on, physical rescue has been an especially meaningful chapter in my journey.
I believe deeply in empathy, compassion, and standing up for animals who cannot speak for themselves. Whether helping rehabilitate neglected horses, supporting families through surrender prevention, or creating safe futures through sanctuary and adoption, my commitment has always remained the same: to protect and advocate for animals with kindness, dignity, and heart.
Audrey
Board Member
I grew up on Long Island at my Uncles ranch where I started out giving pony rides around 9 years old where I got a quarter out of every dollar I made for him. (walking a pony with a kid on the back 3 x’s around the corral for a quarter in those days). Graduated to taking trails out, gentling horses that came in straight from the auction yards with no history on them and then driving teams of horses and mules for county fairs. Then working for my aunt at her stable where I gentled all horses coming in, trained them, showed them for sale and gave lessons to kids).
My adult career consisted of working every aspect of the restaurant business from waiting tables to bartending, managing and then owning. My last job in NY was owning my own homemade French ice cream business in Southampton where I also raised my two children. I had the business which became famous for 11 years until a freak accident happened, a semi truck veered off the highway and drove straight through my store destroying it and moving it 50 feet off it’s foundation and I was out of business with two children to support. I moved to Lakeview Oregon temporarily where I had some family and after the lawsuit was settled, we decided to stay. Later I switched to non profit work and government work where grant writing was essential. I taught myself how to write grants and have been successful in many aspects and categories.
I have always taken in animals of all kinds, but especially horses, they are my heart and soul.
I am lucky to have been invited into Happy Trails Horse Rescue, it is truly an honor.
Julia
Board Member / Treasurer
Julia has been engaged in animal welfare since the age of 10 when she started volunteering at the local animal shelter. Over the years, this passion has grown into a lifelong commitment, with experience spanning small animal rescue, equine care, and therapeutic horsemanship. Julia has volunteered with a variety of organizations, including Equest Therapeutic Horsemanship Center in Dallas, TX; Badass Animal Rescue in New York City; Forward Stride equine therapy and One Tail at a Time dog rescue in Portland, OR. In addition, she has had her own horse and dogs over the years and spends as much time with animals as possible.
Through these roles, Julia has gained hands-on skills in animal care, barn management, and event coordination, while building a deep understanding of the needs of both animals and the communities that care for them.
Professionally, Julia brings over 15 years of experience in strategic leadership, program management, and cross-functional collaboration. Her results-driven approach and passion for compassionate care align closely with Happy Trails’ mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome horses in Central Oregon. As a member of the Board of Directors, she is committed to supporting the organization’s growth and impact.
Sara
Board Member
Sara has had a lifelong passion for animals and a deep commitment to veterinary medicine and animal welfare. With extensive experience in veterinary healthcare, operations management, and animal rescue nonprofit work, she has dedicated her career to improving the lives of animals through compassionate care, advocacy, and strong leadership. Her love for animals, combined with her experience supporting rescue and rehabilitation efforts, makes her proud to support the mission of Happy Trails Horse Rescue and help provide horses with the care, safety, and second chances they deserve.
Life at the Ranch & Other Stories
