Sunshine Farm and Rescue: A legacy of love built from loss

The crippling blow of a tragic, unexpected loss is indescribable to all except those unfortunate enough to experience it firsthand. Adding in the loss of a child, many would be paralyzed by their grief. But Mandy and Jay Dutter channeled the loss of Jay’s son, Ethan, into meaning: Sunshine Farm and Rescue.

For Jay, losing his son was agony. Mandy described the period after the loss of her stepson, and the effect it had on Jay.

“Jay’s mental health was at its worst. How I can describe it is like walking on a beautiful trail. But you don’t see to the left or right of you, or even behind. You only see no further than a foot in front of you. That’s grief. All you have is pain and sadness.” She says.

Ethan Dutter was 18 years old when he passed. Mandy met him three years earlier. Early on, Ethan would often call her just to borrow her dog, Molly, to soothe him when he was feeling down or sad.

“He was cognitively impaired and was in a special education program classroom until he graduated. He loved everyone,” she continues. “He was a ray of sunshine when he walked into the room. His laugh was contagious, his smile even better.”

Ethan, who struggled with his mental health, found comfort with many types of animals. This comfort was especially powerful when he was feeling down. His relationship with animals was a catalyst for the creation of the farm and rescue created in his honor. 

“Ethan loved animals, especially dogs.” Mandy recalls. 

Since they couldn’t adopt hundreds of dogs, the Dutter family looked to another frequently surrendered group of animals: livestock. 

“We soon realized pigs were one of the most surrendered animals, especially with people thinking they could have a cute little ‘mini pig’ that stayed little forever,” Mandy explains. 

She began to do her research into pigs, and why they were so often surrendered and abandoned. 

“After a while, if they treated their now 250 pound mini pig like a dog, there would be issues,” she says. “They need a schedule, structure, routine. They are extremely intelligent, and my absolute favorite.” 

The Dutter family wanted to channel their grief into action. Not only to soothe their own pain, but to help others in the community. There was no member more eager to heal than Jay, who not only lost his son, but battled a cancer diagnosis.

“As we added animals, I started seeing how learning about them and caring for them helped me open my heart to love,” he says. “The hole that is Ethan’s passing will never be filled, but now I have other ‘children’ depending on me and my ability to provide for them.” 

In 2022, Sunshine Farm and Rescue was officially born in a small, rural town called Hastings, in Barry County.

“We chose the farm rescue not only because Ethan loved animals, but because animals are good for healing from grief, helping individuals with special needs, and giving people suffering mental health challenges a purpose,” Mandy says. “We choose animals because if Ethan could have had all the dogs in the world, he would have. It also gives us an opportunity to help others like Ethan and our other son Owen, with special needs.”

Sunshine Farm and Rescue has become a place where all kinds of community members can benefit from. The invitation also extends to people who need community service hours. That’s when a partnership with the Barry County Courthouse began.

“Sure, it helps us, but to us it’s a place for them to slow down, think about life, find joy and humor in the animals. We want them to realize that when they are on the farm, there is no judgement from us. We share our stories so they don’t feel alone.” Mandy explains. 

While some farms or other organizations hesitate to welcome those with a criminal record or checkered past, the Dutter’s welcome them with open arms.

“There are so many places that don’t take them and it makes me sad. They are scared about allowing them on their property. We have met some truly wonderful guys that have just made some really bad decisions in life.” Mandy says.

In perhaps the most powerful impact being made, Sunshine Farm and Rescue seeks to get special needs folks involved. Classes for these individuals include time with animals, learning how to care for them, then ending with a fun craft to memorialize their experience.

The importance of involving special needs people of any age in everyday farm chores and animal care cannot be understated to the Dutter’s. For some, it’s a family experience.

“We have these individuals collect and package eggs, make homemade animal treats, and so much more depending on their ability level. Elementary kiddos always have their parent or guardian stay with them,” Mandy said.

Hailey Kissinger, a Community Living Support specialist at the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority, works with adults struggling with their mental health. She brought several clients to Sunshine Farm and Rescue.

“The feedback I got from clients was about how much fun they had while caring for the animals.” Kissinger said. “We did many different things like working on multi-step directions while feeding animals. We had a lot of fun at the farm, learning how to properly care for, feed, and learn about their behaviors.” She explained.

Jill Tolar, who works with autistic folks or those struggling with behavioral needs as a Dual Lead at Spectrum Community Services, also brought clients to the Dutter’s farm.

“Sunshine Farm is the only place I know of that I can take my clients, where they can be hands-on with helping the animals.” Tolar said.

Tolar emphasized the importance of her clients feeling independent during these tasks, and how therapeutic animals can be.

“ I believe they can sense a person is depressed, or has something else going on.” She remarked. “It brought me joy seeing their [Jill’s clients] faces. They collected chicken eggs, filled pools for the pigs, and helped clean up hay in the barn.” Tolar finished.

The rescue not only provides these incredible experiences for community members, but has a mission: finding farm animals a home. 

Farm animals are rarely accepted at animal shelters in Michigan. In fact, there are so few places for livestock to be surrendered, they are often euthanized or abandoned in the wilderness. This scarcity of shelters that accept livestock is showing to be a problem not just in Michigan, but even nationwide.

For example, Good Life Refuge in Colorado highlights that mini-pigs are one of the most surrendered animals they see. 

“The most surrender-requested animals are roosters, chickens and pot-bellied or mini pigs. Because of this, shelters and sanctuaries are overrun with surrender requests for them and generally cannot accommodate more without donations for expanded housing and care.” Good Life explains. 

The Dutter’s have found more than 60 homes for animals over the last three years. This is a huge accomplishment for the small town rescue.

“We are pretty proud of that, and I think Ethan would be so happy we’re helping others, too.” Mandy says.

Honoring Ethan in this way has helped Jay and Mandy Dutter wade through the ocean of grief in ways that have sent ripples throughout the local community. 

“Having this rescue in his honor has helped us in the grieving process physically, mentally, and emotionally. I used to sit in the barn with the pigs for hours and cry,” Mandy recalls. “There is something so sweet about animals that makes you feel like it’s all going to be okay.” 

Now, years after his passing, the Dutter family can find comfort that their sunshine, Ethan, is smiling down on the farm, beaming with pride for the legacy of love they have created in his honor.