Our Story

Off Course Rescue & Sanctuary is a veteran-founded 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Hart County, Kentucky. Our mission is to provide second chances through animal rescue, rehabilitation, sanctuary care, and community-based programs that promote healing, growth, and connection.

What began as a passion for helping animals has evolved into a broader vision of supporting both animals and people. Through our Rescue & Sanctuary Program, Back on Course Veteran Wellness Program, and Back on Course Leadership Program, we strive to create opportunities for compassion, purpose, education, and belonging.

We believe in the power of second chances, the importance of strong communities, and the positive impact animals can have on our lives. Whether serving rescued animals, veterans, youth, or members of the LGBTQ+ community, our goal remains the same: helping animals and people get back on course.

Explore the sections below to learn more about the inspiration, purpose, and vision behind each of our programs.

Veteran Community

Founded and led by veterans, Off Course Rescue understands the challenges many service members and military families face. Through our Back on Course Veteran Wellness Program, we are committed to creating opportunities for connection, purpose, healing, and community support for those who have served.

Youth Impact

We believe in investing in the next generation. Through mentorship, volunteer opportunities, internships, and hands-on learning experiences, we help young people build confidence, leadership skills, responsibility, and a strong foundation for the future.

LGBTQ+ Community

As an LGBTQ+ founded organization, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We strive to create a safe place where individuals can connect, learn, grow, and be authentically themselves.

Our Inspiration

The story and people who inspired Off Course Rescue & Sanctuary.

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Bobby Hanks Jr

Off Course Rescue & Sanctuary was founded in honor of Bobby Hanks Jr., a United States Marine Corps veteran whose lifelong compassion for animals helped inspire the organization's mission and values.

Raised on a farm, Bobby developed a deep respect for animals and the natural world from an early age. His passion continued throughout his life, from raising and caring for animals to assisting with exotic animal rescue and rehabilitation following his military service and during his college years. Whether helping stray pets find safety, caring for animals in need, or advocating for wildlife conservation, he believed every living creature deserved compassion, respect, and the opportunity to thrive.

In his later years, Bobby faced the challenges of post-traumatic stress associated with his military service. Throughout that journey, animals remained a constant source of comfort, purpose, and peace. He understood firsthand the unique bond between people and animals and the healing that can come from their companionship. The calm, trust, and connection he found through animals became an important part of his life and continues to influence the organization's vision today.

His dedication to animal welfare reflected a broader commitment to stewardship, service, and responsibility. He believed in caring for those who could not speak for themselves and understood that even small acts of kindness could make a lasting difference.

Today, that legacy lives on through Off Course Rescue & Sanctuary. The organization's commitment to rescue, rehabilitation, sanctuary care, and second chances reflects the values Bobby demonstrated throughout his life. His experience as a veteran and his connection to animals also serve as part of the inspiration behind the Back on Course Veteran Wellness Program, which seeks to help veterans find connection, purpose, and healing through community and equine-assisted experiences.

Every animal helped, every veteran supported, and every life impacted serves as a tribute to his compassion, service, and enduring love for animals.

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Kristen Allen

Off Course Rescue & Sanctuary was founded in honor of Kristen Allen, whose compassion, advocacy, and unwavering belief in the potential of others helped shape the organization's vision for community impact.

Throughout her life, Kristen was a passionate advocate for education, inclusion, and creating opportunities for those who needed them most. She believed that every person deserved to feel valued, supported, and empowered to pursue their goals regardless of their background, circumstances, or identity. Her work and advocacy were especially focused on supporting youth, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, and individuals experiencing hardship or instability.

Kristen was a strong supporter of the veteran community and dedicated significant effort to improving access to services and opportunities for those who served. Throughout her career, she championed initiatives that expanded access to VA healthcare, supported the development of new VA medical clinics, promoted innovative resources for veterans, prioritized veteran hiring, and encouraged support for veteran-owned small businesses. She believed veterans deserved not only gratitude for their service, but meaningful opportunities to succeed after military life.

She also dreamed of creating a place where people could find belonging, build confidence, learn new skills, and experience the healing power of connection. She believed communities are strongest when they lift one another up and that meaningful change begins with compassion, understanding, and opportunity.

Those values continue to guide Off Course Rescue & Sanctuary today. The organization's commitment to veteran wellness, youth leadership, mentorship, community engagement, education, and creating a welcoming environment for all reflects the legacy Kristen left behind. Her vision serves as an inspiration for both the Back on Course Veteran Wellness Program and the Back on Course Leadership Program, helping shape opportunities for connection, growth, service, and belonging.

Today, every veteran supported, every young person empowered, and every individual welcomed through Off Course Rescue carries forward Kristen's belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, belong, and build a brighter future.