About FoLAS
Meet The Founders
Thom and Sam Munholland founded FoLAS in 2021 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal sanctuary located in Nunn, Colorado. The sanctuary is home to over 125 equines, all of who receive daily care and attention from the dedicated team. Run entirely by volunteers, FoLAS ensures that 100% of all donations go directly toward supporting the animals.
Through rescuing and rehabilitating various animals, both domestic and wild the founders established the sanctuary officially in 2021. Whether we are able to find them a forever home or they stay here at the sanctuary, they no longer have to fear for their future.
"Watching what these animals go through after being thrown away because of age, sickness or injuries was heartbreaking. Watching them have to endure starvation, abuse and end up in a trailer crammed full en route to another country to be bludgeoned to death, was not something I could stand back and watch without doing what I could to help."
- Sam Munholland, Executive Director and Co-Founder
Our Story
Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary is named in honor of a horse rescued over 30 years ago. As a child, co-founder Thom Munholland (pictured on the right) saw something special in this horse and couldn’t bear to see him sold for slaughter. Determined to save him, Thom took on a job to help cover the purchase cost. That early act of compassion and commitment not only saved Lackota’s life, but also laid the foundation for a sanctuary that, decades later, continues to touch and transform countless others.
Our Mission
To provide food, shelter, and medical care to equines, livestock, and other animals in need. FoLAS offers a peaceful, permanent home where animals live with dignity, free from fear, neglect, or harm.
Our mission is built on the Four R’s of Compassion:
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Rescue: Pulling horses from the brink of slaughter and giving them a second chance.
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Rehabilitate: Providing food, shelter, medical care, and gentle hands to heal their bodies and spirits.
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Rehome: Placing horses with loving families where they can truly belong.
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Retire: Offering a peaceful sanctuary for those who will live out their days in freedom, dignity, and love.
Together, these Four R’s form a promise: no horse forgotten, no horse left behind.
Let's Save
Lives
What Makes FoLAS Unique
Hospice Care - Equine Nursing Home
We provide a loving, peaceful home for horses who are elderly, disabled, or in need of end-of-life care. With attentive symptom and pain management, we ensure each animal experiences comfort, dignity, and respect throughout their final chapter.
Advocacy
We're strong voices against horse slaughter and proud supporters of the SAFE Act (Save America's Forgotten Equines Act). Our mission and message have reached thousands through newsletters, magazine articles and community events such as ELK Fest in Estes Park, CO.
Lifetime Commitment
Most of our residents are not healthy enough for adoption--and that's okay. At FoLAS, they receive lifelong care, nutritious food, necessary medical treatment, personal attention, and plenty of love.
Let's Save
Lives
Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary
Board of Directors 2026
The Board of Directors at Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary provides leadership, oversight, and strategic guidance to support our mission of rescuing and caring for animals in need. Each member brings a unique blend of experience, passion, and dedication to animal welfare, helping ensure the sanctuary continues to grow and thrive while honoring the legacy of Lackota.
Executive Director and Co-Founder
Samuel Munholland
Samuel Munholland is the co-founder and Executive Director of Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary since its inception in January 2021. Although he currently lives in Nunn, Colorado, he was born into the life of agriculture and ranching in Oregon where horses have always been a part of his life. This helped influence his nearly 20 years of experience in the veterinary medicine career field. Rescuing, fostering and volunteering countless hours helping everything from horses and cows to racoons and bunnies helped fuel his love for animals. Currently, Samuel is a police officer for the City of Frederick, Colorado and the sanctuary allows him to continue working with the animals he is so passionate about. Samuel does not have a term limit as the Executive Director.
Board President and Co-Founder
Thomas Munholland
Thom Munholland is the co-founder and has been the Board President of Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary since its inception in January 2021. Thomas currently lives in Nunn, Colorado. He has over 30 years of agriculture and equine experience from doing ranch work to rodeo, to many different disciplines of showing horses. The sanctuary’s namesake comes from the first horse he rescued at the age of 13, a horse named Lackota. Thomas works full-time as a mental health and substance abuse therapist and owns his own behavioral health practice. The Board President, Thomas in this case, has a term limit of 10 years with the option to be voted back as president by the other sitting board members. Thomas has served four and a half years of his 10 year term.
Vice President
Victoria Clipsham
Victoria is a resident of Fort Collins, Colorado and is an avid equine lover. She has been volunteering her time by attending Board meetings, extensive grant writing and research efforts, spearheading the annual holiday silent auction since 2021, organizing a booth at Elkfest yearly in Estes Park, attending other fundraising events, plus passing out carrots and scratching ears whenever she can! Since joining the team in 2022, Victoria has been instrumental in obtaining over $100,000 for our animals from grants, donations, and fundraisers. She has worked full-time as an Internal Medicine doctor with Northern Colorado Hospitalists since 2007. Victoria has truly enjoyed seeing the Sanctuary grow, thrive, and support more animals every year.
Treasurer
Cynthia Moore
Cynthia resides in Windsor, Colorado and is our newest board member. She has an MBA with an emphasis in Accounting, and brings her expertise in nonprofit accounting. She is excited to be part of our organization. Cynthia is a passionate animal lover, especially horses. Cynthia is a retired accountant and currently she and her husband are full-time grandparents watching their two grandsons. The Treasurer, Cynthia in this case, has a term limit of three years with the option to be voted back as treasurer by other sitting board members. Cynthia has three years remaining of her three year term as she recently joined the Board of Directors in May 2025.
Secretary
Madison Gosney
Madison grew up on a ranch in Kacee, Wyoming, however, she is currently residing in Fort Collins, Colorado where she is a first year veterinary student at Colorado State University. She plans to continue her education through veterinarian school to eventually become a successful equine veterinarian. Madison found her love for animals when she was a small child growing up
on her family’s ranch which is what led her to pursue an education in veterinary medicine and to ultimately sit on our board of directors. On top of being the board secretary, Madison volunteers her time at the sanctuary to help with daily chores. The Secretary, Madison in this case, has a term limit of three years with the option to be voted back as secretary by other sitting board members. Madison has approximately two years remaining of her three year term limit.
Member At Large
Sonia Cooper
Sonia has loved horses since receiving her first pair of cowgirl boots at age six—and she still has them today. Any opportunity to ride or simply be around horses brought her immense happiness and joy while growing up in Northern California. Though raised a city girl, she has always had a country heart—fitting for this true Gemini.
Sonia first learned about Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary through NoCo Style Magazine. Through her friendship with Fort Collins residents Gary and Carol Ann Hixon, she was later introduced to Thom and Sam Munholland.
Her first visit to the sanctuary in October 2024 was love at first sight. The connection was immediate, and her desire to engage and volunteer followed naturally.
Since that first visit and introduction, Sonia has contributed her professional expertise as a marketing strategist to Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary. Her volunteer work has included updating the FoLAS website, developing custom marketing materials, and creating social media content to increase brand awareness—all in support of successful fundraising efforts at both the individual and foundation levels.
FoLAS matters deeply to Sonia because it reflects the values she has carried since childhood: honoring the bond between humans and horses, protecting the vulnerable, and ensuring that animals who have given so much are allowed to live out their lives with dignity, safety, and love.
Member At Large
Nicole Camacho Medina
Nicole is a Northern Colorado resident with a lifelong love of animals and a deep connection to horses and large-animal care. She is actively involved with the organization through hands-on work, including horse training, supporting daily feed routines, assisting with medical care, and helping ensure each animal is comfortable and well cared for. Nicole also plays a key role in sourcing and coordinating essential supplies for the rescue and hospice efforts, bringing a practical and organized approach to ensuring the team has what it needs, when it needs it. She values the trust built through day-to-day work—both with the animals and with the people dedicated to their care. Outside of her volunteer service, Nicole owns Nickel Financial Services, a fractional CFO and Controller firm, and has served in the National Guard for more than 15 years. These experiences shape her calm, dependable approach to leadership, problem-solving, and teamwork, both in the barn and at the board level, and reflect her lifelong commitment to service. Nicole is honored to serve on the Board and is proud to support an organization that leads with compassion, integrity, and respect for every animal in its care.
Member At Large
Andrew Durant
Andrew graduated from Colorado State University in 2023 with a degree in marketing and went on to launch his own video marketing business, DollarMoovie.com, where he helps service-based businesses grow through strategic video content and advertising.
He first learned about Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary through a fraternity brother, which led to an initial visit with his team to capture video content. That experience made a lasting impression, and the team quickly connected with both the mission and the people behind the sanctuary.
After spending time on-site and witnessing the work firsthand, Andrew was invited to join the Board of Directors. He was honored to accept and is proud to support an organization committed to caring for animals with compassion, respect, and long-term dedication.
FoLAS matters deeply to Andrew because it reflects the belief that every animal deserves to be seen, protected, and given the chance to live with dignity—no matter their age, condition, or past.
Business & Marketing Advisors
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Lives
Financial Stewardship
Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary is committed to efficiency and transparency.
We communicate with our donors and prospective donors by email, postal mail, phone and other means, both to request contributions to our cause and to educate the public about Friends of Lackota Animal Sanctuary programs, volunteer opportunities and community events.
As a nonprofit organization that is exempt from federal taxation, we ensure that donors’ money is spent as efficiently and effectively as possible, and we are committed to organizational financial transparency. View our nonprofit financial information.
Financial Documents
2024
2023
2022
