We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse Pekarek and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jesse, what’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
“Always be hustling!” Now, if the “hustle” is something that you absolutely enjoy, then I say continue. BUT, if the hustle is to achieve the next rung on the corporate ladder, or the next acronym after your name for status alone, then that is where the hustle is not worth what you are sacrificing. If your career is truly your “labor of love”, then putting in the 60, 70, and sometimes 80 hour weeks should not feel exhausting and draining.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

I am the founder of a non-profit called Happy Hooves, located on a small therapy farm (P&M FARM) in North Central Phoenix, our “Sanctuary in the City”.  I am also a licensed residential real estate agent of over 19 years in the greater Phoenix metro area.

It has been a very interesting path that has lead me to where I am today.  Currently at 47 years of age, I have had the opportunity to experience many different jobs and careers…some from choice and others out of necessity.  At the end of the day, I have ended up back to my roots, working with livestock and providing service to the community in my own unique way.
Each role in a prior job and career has taught me countless lessons and life experiences, each playing a part in what I do today.  From growing up on a dairy farm, to studying and interning in biotechnology and immunology, being an at-risk high school science teacher, then administrator, a loan officer, to currently a real estate agent and non-profit director.  Each experience providing unique perspective and lessons.
The concept of having miniature horses all began about 8 years ago, meeting a miniature horse on a vacation in New Orleans.  After spending about 45 minutes with the incredibly sweet and adorable horse named Peter (aka Pickles), I left feeling this desire, this need to rescue a couple mini horses of our own…and that is where it began!  We found our current property, sold our prior home, and what began as a little hobby in our back yard has turned into a life altering experience, owning our own little sanctuary that we can share with the community.  It really was a mid-life epiphany.
We have expanded from two miniature horses, to now having a wonderful variety of species that can all interact and be out together.  Mini horses, mini donkeys, alpacas, mini cows, sheep, large breed horses, and of course, our dogs and cats as well.  A back yard hobby turned to creating a new non-profit, Happy Hooves, where we take our mini horses to places such as memory care centers and assisted living facilities.  Individuals can also book to visit the farm for a few hours, or book an overnight stay in our 3 bedroom / 2 bathroom guest house to experience a “day on the farm”!
The main purpose of this Sanctuary, and Happy Hooves, is to improve, enhance, and enrich people’s lives through the unconditional love of animals.  Whether you have a diagnosable condition such as Alzheimer’s or dementia, autism or dyslexia, PTSD, or suffering with grief and trauma from the loss of a loved one.  Maybe you are stressed from a challenging job, relationship, or just need a break to hop off the hamster wheel.
With the struggles and recent increase in rates of mental health issues, I feel this type of environment with our rescue animals on our sanctuary can be a solution to so many issues.  Animals can provide so much to so many in different settings and environments.  When people visit our little sanctuary, it gives me so much joy and satisfaction seeing people so happy, recharged, refreshed, and sometimes maybe even a little inspired.  It is my recently found passion and purpose, providing therapy and activities to others, while at the same has been helping me through my own struggles of grief and loneliness after losing my brother.  To see people of all ages in the community want to be a part and volunteer, to seeing groups traveling around the country, and sometimes from other countries finding our activities and guest house and sharing with their communities on social media.  To always being open to new ideas and new themed health and wellness activities to share with different groups an interests.  Breathwork and yoga classes with our donkeys, facilitated painting and interacting with the herd, swimming with our miniature horses at a nearby lake.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Honestly, one of my favorite spots in the city is in my own backyard!  My happiest place is spending time with the animals, and when family and friends stay in our guest house on the farm, so much of our entertainment is simply here on our sanctuary.  Outside of our little farm, I love loading up our trailer with horses, donkeys, and alpacas, and heading up to Cave Creek to have lunch at Buffalo Chip.  Cave Creek is such a fun, western town that…well…you may see horses and other animals there!  Lots of great food, local art (I am especially fond of all the metal art),  and absolutely gorgeous scenery.

We also enjoy taking our horses to Lake Pleasant (seasonally of course), and swimming with the horses at the lake.  Sometimes there will be others visiting with their horses, big and small, and sometimes you will see wild donkeys.  It’s a great place to unwind and connect with nature.

Of course, when it comes to food and dining…you are in Phoenix, and there is tons of different types of Mexican foods and flavors that you can enjoy!  I love sharing with guests all the different flavors, spices, and varieties there are to try!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

My brother, Scot Pekarek.

Scot had recently and unexpectedly passed away, and I do what I can to keep living with and sharing the countless lessons he has taught me.

Scot has been a mentor to me my entire life. We were two peas in a pod throughout our childhood growing up on a dairy farm in Minnesota. We would do practically everything together, whenever we could. Whether it was chores on the farm, showing cattle at the county fair, dressing in matching outfits to dance at clubs, sports, college housemates, to being my mentor and best friend in business and life. Scot was my sounding board and brainstorming partner for any and practically every idea that came to front. He believed in me more than I believed in myself and I will forever be grateful for all the love and all the lessons he provided me.

Website: https://happyhoovesaz.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/happyhoovesaz/

Linkedin: HTTPS://www.linkedin.com/in/jessepekarek

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HAPPYHOOVESAZ/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8Pf0PL5YnypucpxSy6T12g

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.