Accreditation signifies that New Freedom Farm meets GFAS’s rigorous and peer-reviewed equine care standards, which are confirmed by a comprehensive site visit. Accreditation also signifies adherence to standards addressing the sustainability of the organization, ethical principles, finances, staffing, education outreach, security and safety and other operational aspects. The accreditation status also provides a clear and trusted means for the public, donors, and grantors to recognize New Freedom Farm as an exceptional organization.
“We are very proud to announce the Accreditation of New Freedom Farm,” said Daryl Tropea, Ph.D., GFAS Program Director-Equine. “This organization is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy environment for veterans, first responders, and in-need equines, particularly Mustangs, to support opportunities for both humans and horses to work through anxiety and trauma. This worthy organization also offers unique services such as their Honor Guard, giving back to the community for their military service and sacrifices.”
“We are honored to announce New Freedom Farm is the first veteran and Mustang organization in history to receive the prestigious Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries Accreditation,” declared Lois Fritz, executive director and founder of New Freedom Farm. She continued, “I literally started the process of applying for the GFAS accreditation on June 26, 2018; it became overwhelming, and I set it aside. On June 17, 2020 we had a flash flood, and an advisor to our board, Gillian Deegan, suggested I have a policy and procedure in place for disaster situations. It was then when I decided I wanted to follow the gold standards of care for animals. I wanted to be sure that not only our equine residents but also New Freedom Farm as an organization would enjoy the benefits of being guided by the highest standards.
“An accreditation from the GFAS means that we meet or exceed the rigorous peer-reviewed standards of excellence they set forth. I would like to thank Daryl Tropea from GFAS, Gillian Deegan, advisor to the board, the board of New Freedom Farm, the veterans, volunteers, and supporters of New Freedom Farm for all of the hard work that went into achieving this accreditation,” Fritz said. “Although we have reached our goal of accreditation, we will continue to develop our facility, programs, and protocols to reach ever higher in our mission to heal our American icons: the wild Mustangs.”
The GFAS Equine Accreditation Program is made possible by a generous grant from The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Kenneth Scott Charitable Trust.
