Today we’d like to introduce you to Sally Van Buren.
Hi Sally, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in Michigan, but my early career took me all over the world. I worked as a Tour Director for Tauck, leading luxury trips through Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii. Life on the road was exciting, but eventually, I married a helicopter pilot, settled in Hawaii, and that’s where my daughter, Monica, was born.
In 2000, I returned home to Michigan and bought a little farm on Chamberlin Road in Dexter, a lifelong dream come true for a horse lover like me. Not long after, I met Diana from Voice for Horses Rescue in Toledo and began helping rehabilitate neglected horses. To help support the rescue (and because my six-year-old daughter was just as horse-crazy as I was), I adopted a pony and started offering pony rides to help raise funds for the rescue.
One pony quickly turned into an entire petting zoo, with rescued llamas, goats, and other animals who needed love and care. I learned everything from hoof trimming to bottle feeding, and before long, Chamberlin Pony Rides was born.
The joy of seeing children meet animals, many for the very first time, was incredible. When a child looks up from the saddle and says, “This is the best party I’ve ever had,” it’s the best feeling in the world.
What began as a few backyard pony rides quickly grew into something much bigger than I ever imagined. When I eventually returned to Hawaii, close friends and family continued operations in Michigan. Soon, more “Event Managers” joined us, each with their own animals and stories of rescue. Today, we have over 20 teams and hundreds of animals, many of them rescues, across Michigan, making Chamberlin one of the largest and most loved mobile petting zoo and pony ride companies in the country.
Our team is made up of people from all walks of life, professors, teachers, psychologists, flight attendants, and bank managers, but we’re all connected by one thing: our love for animals and our belief that kindness can change lives. Our event managers are parents themselves, and they take pride in creating the kind of magical, memorable experiences they know their own children would love to have.
Now, 25 years later, Chamberlin is still proudly family-run, with my daughter Monica and my nieces Brandy, Ashley, and Amber helping carry the torch. It’s truly a family of families, as each and every event manager is part of our Chamberlin family.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like most small businesses, there have been challenges. One of the biggest has been addressing misconceptions about petting zoos. We know that not every company does things the right way, but at Chamberlin, animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do. Every animal receives love, proper care, and a safe retirement.
Our animals are part of our family, they’re our pets, not just farm animals. We choose to share them with people to help teach children at a young age how to appreciate and care for animals the way we do. We’ve found that actually being with them, touching them, connecting with them, leaves a far greater impression than simply seeing them in a book or behind a fence at a zoo.
We’ve also worked hard to maintain consistent quality across all our teams. To uphold our standards, we have dedicated auditors who visit events to ensure that both our animals and our clients receive the best possible experience. These challenges have made us stronger, more unified, and even more committed to our mission.
As you know, we’re big fans of Chamberlin Pony Rides & Mobile Petting Zoo. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Our heart is what sets us apart. Every event helps fund animal care and rescue efforts. Most of our animals come from second chances, rescued, rehomed, or rehabilitated, and they now spend their days making children smile.
But Chamberlin Pony Rides isn’t just about bringing animals to your yard, we bring the complete experience. We want every event to feel like a celebration, not just a visit. That’s why we create a fun, lively party atmosphere that sets us apart.
We include thoughtful extras at no additional cost, like a professional bubble machine that fills the air with thousands of bubbles, party music to set the mood, and lawn games so that every guest, even those who aren’t as animal-obsessed as we are, can have fun. Many of our packages also include twisty balloons, face painting, and even carnival games, so no child feels left out of the excitement. We want everyone, kids, parents, and families alike, to enjoy the magic of the day.
We also take pride in personalizing each event. We ask our clients about the birthday child’s party theme so we can decorate accordingly, adding ribbons in their favorite colors to the pony or dressing it up as a unicorn or cowboy horse to match the celebration. These small touches create moments of joy and wonder that children and families remember for years.
We’re proud of our spotless safety record, professional team, and friendly service, but what matters most is the impact. Watching a child light up when they pet a goat, feed a bunny, or ride a pony for the first time never gets old. That moment of pure joy is why we do what we do.
What does success mean to you?
For me, success isn’t about numbers or size, it’s about purpose. If a single child walks away with a new love for animals, or one more rescue finds a happy home, that’s success.
At the end of the day, Chamberlin’s mission is simple: to make the world a little kinder, one smile, and one animal, at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chamberlinponyrides.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chamberlinponyrides/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chamberlin.ponyrides
