About United in Light
All people, all animals, all life…
We are a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization. Currently we visit auctions and consider requests from individuals needing to find a home for their horse, or from individuals who have found a situation where a draft horse needs rescuing. Serving Mature Draft Horse Breeds since 2003, we have also assisted in finding homes for hundreds of adoptable draft horses across the Nation.
We rely solely on public donations as well as grants for the livelihood of United In Light, Inc.
Our Vision:
Acres of land created to retire all mature draft horse breeds that have been rescued from an untimely death. They are rehabilitated to their optimal health and allowed to live in a herd family with other draft horses throughout the rest of their lives. If they choose, they are able to heal their hearts with humans, as humans also make the choice to heal with these horses. United In Light, Inc. educates the public on the lives of draft horses and of the unique lifestyle that is lived here on this land.
Let the healing begin and let it be shared to all throughout our life.
“United we bond with light,
Sending it to all Nations, All people, All life.
Through our higher source, through our hands and hearts,
This light that shines, unites us all at once.
This is how we came to be, this is how we choose to see,
Within this vision and flag in flight, we hold our World united in Light.”
From the Vision of “World United In Light” Flag
Board Members
Deborah Derr, D.C., Founder (Montana)
Graduate from California Lutheran University in 1989, Graduate from Palmer College of Chiropractic West with Doctrine of Chiropractic in 1996. I walk the path of a Shaman, Reiki Master and Energy worker incorporating my gifts to helping all life. Consisting of humans and all animals, I owned my own practice in Southern California from 1996 to 2003, when a calling from a rescued draft horse “Knight of Dreams” (still resides at the sanctuary) changed my life”. I sold my practice, relocated to northern Arizona and founded United In Light, Inc. in 2003. In 2007 I relocated UIL and the horses to continue the dream in Livingston, Montana. United In Light is my dream, bringing draft horses out of the shadows and into the hearts of people, is my love, watching, guiding and empowering all to live life to the fullest by discovering their dreams is my passion.
Marley Castillo, Director (California)
Being an equine owner and enthusiast, my experience ranges from establishing programs to improve children’s self-esteem through working with rescued horses, the placing of injured, lame and abused horses into loving homes as well as serving on national non-profit boards.
Tracy Christman, Director (California / Montana)
1981 Graduated with a B.S in Criminal Justice Administration. In 1982 Received a Certification of Completion, Denver Paralegal Institute.
I have been a horse lover and rider, all my life. Dr. Deborah Derr has been a dear friend of mine since 1997. I have supported her efforts to help Draft Horses since she acquired Knight of Dreams in 2000 while she lived in Thousand Oaks, CA. I have joyfully visited UIL in both Arizona and Montana and continue to do so. I am now involved with alpacas here in California and hope to join Debbie in Montana soon with my own alpaca ranch!
I am thrilled to be a part of what UIL has become and to help it evolve into what Debbie believes it will one day become!!
Marian Cisco O'Neil, Director (Montana)
About being on the UIL board and of Dr. Deb~ I believe in her passion and what she is doing with the draft horses. And I believe in her. I have witnessed up close and personal so to speak on the work that she has done in improving the lives of God's Gentle Giants.
Prior experience~ I had the opportunity of a life time working with "Sigmon Belgians" from Newton N.C. (we were the 3 time World Champions in pulling 6 horse hitch while I was there) I was the show barn Supervisor with "Eagles Nest" Clydesdales from Lexington, KY and I was also with the Kentucky Horse Park for 9 years before I came to work with Yellowstone National Park and their Equine Department.
I have the knowledge of single, tandem, unicorn and 4-horse hitch driving.
I love working with the draft horses and being a part of United In Light!
Barbara Metzger, Director (New Mexico)
I was honored and humbled to co-found Hacienda de los Milagros, Inc., a non-profit animal sanctuary, in 1995. We provided a lifetime home for almost 100 equines (horses and burros) as well as llamas, rabbits, dogs, cats and chickens. It was a blessing for me to walk with those souls, they taught me so much. I love being a part of United In Light to continue the path of respect and connectedness with all. I admire Deb so much and the work she is doing. I aspire to be more like her each day and am grateful to be a small part of some big magic.
Debbie Vernam, Director (Arizona)
Other than my love of animals and being a prior horse owner, I graduated with B.S in Social Welfare at Arizona State University. I have continued my education for Doctor of Natural health at Clayton College of Natural Health and have had 4 years working for Petsmart as Salon Manager/District academy trainer (2000-2004). My current occupation is as an Equine handler. Responsibilities include but not limited to the conditioning, feeding, training of Equine on a local ranch. I was also caretaker for United In Light Sanctuary at the Arizona location from 2005-7. My passion is for our animal companions and using my education to help them heal.
