FIND SANCTUARY AT SANCTUARY HILL

Meet Our Owners

Lynn Bernier, co-founder, grew up on a farm on Lookout Mountain where she had all kinds of animals and enjoyed horseback riding. Lynn attended Auburn University for undergraduate studies and Jacksonville State University for graduate studies where she obtained degrees in psychology and applied behavioral analysis. Lynn is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and CEO of Allied Behavioral Services, Inc. 

Steve Bernier, co-founder, grew up in Vermont where he taught snowboarding and then moved to the Outer Banks where he began teaching hang gliding. Both of which provided him with experience working with both children and adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities. Steve began working with Allied Behavioral Services, Inc. in 2012.

Lynn and Steve Bernier began Sanctuary Hill in 2020 with 2 horses, 4 mini goats, 2 mini donkeys, and 12 acres in Chickamauga, GA. It soon became apparent that Sanctuary Hill was ready for expansion. In April 2022, Lynn and Steve purchased a larger farm in Ringgold, GA which is the current home of Sanctuary Hill, Inc. 

Our Mission

Sanctuary Hill, Inc. is a non-profit organization that provides animal assisted therapy for children and adults with Autism and intellectual disabilities and Animal Assisted Activities for anyone (diagnosis is not required for participants). Activities provided by Sanctuary Hill promotes and builds social and communication skills. It involves farm-based therapy to create a nurturing and caring environment for adults, children, and animals. We provided sanctuary for animals that have disabilities and/or animals that have been retired or considered "senior". We provide board certified therapists to work at the farm. We rely on generous contributions to make our mission possible. We are serving those in our community by offering volunteer opportunities, promoting independence by teaching responsibility, and job skill acquisition for those seeking employment.