Windiger Farms Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation was incorporated in March of 2024.
Our 15-acre serene farm serves as a peaceful sanctuary for our rescued and rehabilitated dogs and horses in northern Indiana. We are fully equipped to comfortably house, rehabilitate, and prepare dogs, horses, and other farm animals for possible rehoming or, more often, sanctuary living. As of December 2025, all 17 of the horses housed at Windiger Farms are sanctuary. They are either too old or have injuries or behavioral problems that make them unadoptable. We also have 7 dogs that are a permanent part of our family.
Melanie Dodd is the president of WFARR. She was born to an equestrian mother and has lived her entire life around horses and dogs. She is trained in classical English and dressage and has the knowledge and skills to work with the most difficult equine residents. The horses at our farm come from owner surrenders or other emergency situations that need sanctuary placement or more involved rehabilitation and possible adoption placement. Many of these horses were discarded by the Amish and are trained to drive but not ride. Melanie has retrained multiple ex buggy horses to be wonderful riding horses. She also takes a special interest in off track Thoroughbreds who are sometimes left homeless after their racing career ends.
Melanie Dodd has also spent most of her life with companion and rescue dogs and is very knowledgeable about canine needs and training requirements. While her favorite breeds are mutts and German Shepherds, WFARR will take in most breeds of dogs from shelters or other emergency situations when kennel space permits. Windiger Farms has successfully adopted 12 amazing dogs to loving homes all over Indiana and in parts of Michigan and Illinois. Our adoption contract guarantees that all dogs we rehome will never be subject to homelessness or neglect again, as we will always take back dogs if situations change or the adoption isn’t a good fit.
Melanie’s husband, James, is Vice President of WFARR. Melanie and James met 19 years ago and fell in love when they realized they shared a deep love and compassion for all animals. James is more experienced with our canine residents but is also extremely helpful with equine groundwork and care. Melanie and James’ son, Corbin, is a director at WFARR. He enjoys helping with the dogs the most and spends much or his free time working with the dogs and farm animals. He plans to attend veterinary school in 2025.
Asia Smith, our fourth director, is the much-needed outside influence with prior experience in horse and dog rescue. She lives in the nearby town of Frankfort. She owns her own horses and dogs and is especially fond of French Bulldogs and Chihuahuas.
We can house about eight dogs at our facility. We are always looking for fosters for dogs so we can help more endangered animals in need. Though we are a private foundation, we can definitely use all the donations we can get, as caring for so many animals can be very expensive. Any donations made to WFARR are tax-deductible.
Mahatma Gandhi: ‘The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’
