Keeping Pets
& People Together
Guided by our core values of compassion, integrity, understanding and collaboration, the Foundation is committed to:
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Fostering animal welfare partnerships
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Removing geographic and financial barriers
for pet owners to reduce the unnecessarily
surrender of pets to overburdened animal
shelters, and rescue organizations -
Providing affordable veterinary care
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Sharing pet-retention programs
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Filling gaps in animal services
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Community-centric programs
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Sheltering rescued horses at our sanctuary
While construction is being completed at our Animal Resource Center, Pet Wellness Veterinary Hospital and Shepherd's Stable Equine Center & Sanctuary, the Foundation team has been working collaboratively in the community with animal welfare partners making 19,461 touches in 2025!
Meet Our Team
founder & development
"We believe every animal deserves to live a happy and healthy life with their family. The Hanson Family Foundation for the Well-Being of God's Creatures was established to keep pets and people together by removing financial and geographic barriers to basic pet care."
equine sanctuary & programs
"My faith and longtime passion for helping animals, especially horses, has led me to overseeing operations at the Foundation's equine center and sanctuary. We welcomed our first two residents in June, Magnolia and Sage, & they are settling in nicely."
veterinarian
"I recently relocated to SD & joined the Foundation team in the fall of 2024 providing safe & affordable veterinary services and partnering with animal welfare professionals.. I'm looking forward to connecting with area veterinarians to determine how our clinic can help them too."
marketing & strategic leadership
I joined the Foundation in 2025 because I believe in their community-centric approach to animal welfare. By keeping pets with their families we are reducing the unnecessary surrender of animals to already overburdened shelters & rescue organizations.
Hanson Family Foundation
Founded in 2023, the Hanson Family Foundation for the Well-Being of God's Creatures is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on keeping pets and their families together. Brad, Jackie, Sam and Betsy share a passion for animals. Following a 2024 needs-assessment, they are committed to providing pet-retention programs, affordable veterinary care, low-cost spay/neuter services, and removing geographic and financial barriers that force families to surrender their pets to animal shelters and rescue organizations. Working collaboratively with existing animal welfare organizations in the region, the Hanson Family Foundation launched three new initiatives in 2025.
"The Foundation is helping us provide safety-net programs like free pet food, spay/neuter assistance, & pet rent deposits. Addressing financial challenges for pet owners helps keep pets in their homes and reduce animal surrenders to rescue groups like ours."
Katie Day, Director
Almost Home Canine Rescue
"We view the Foundation as a vital force for good, empowering local animal welfare organizations through both strategic philanthropy & hands-on support. Their work is building a stronger network of resources that ensures pets and their families can thrive together."
Jami Gates Grieve, Executive Director
Sioux Falls Area Humane Society
"We are so grateful to the Foundation for the Vermillion SD vaccination clinic in partnership with the Heartland Humane Society because there isn’t a vet clinic here. We were able to bring all of our animals to the 4H Building to be seen by Dr McLeod."
Adam L.
Vermillion community member with 5 pets