Sanctuary at Solid Rock earns accreditation from the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries, marking a milestone in compassionate humane education and lifelong care for rescued animals.
TARPON SPRINGS, FL, September 05, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Solid Rock Community School has become the first school in the world to have its own animal sanctuary accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS).
The accreditation recognizes Sanctuary at Solid Rock, the school's nonprofit sanctuary dedicated to providing lifelong care to rescued animals, and marks a significant milestone for the private Kâ12 school in Tarpon Springs, Florida.
For Michele Fasnacht, founder of Solid Rock Community School, the achievement reflects years of work to bring education, compassion, animal protection, and environmental responsibility together within one school community.
"This accreditation is incredibly meaningful because it reflects the standards we hold ourselves to in providing rescued animals with the safe, respectful, lifelong care they deserve," Fasnacht said. "It also allows our students to see that compassion is not simply something we talk about. It is something we practice through our choices, our responsibilities, and the way we treat other living beings."
Sanctuary at Solid Rock provides a permanent home and individualized care for animals in need while also contributing to the school's broader mission of compassionate humane education. The animals' well-being and individual needs remain the sanctuary's priority, while students have opportunities to learn about animal behavior, species-appropriate care, habitats, conservation, responsible stewardship, and the ethical treatment of animals through age-appropriate experiences.
The school's culture is rooted in Compassionate Humane Education, encouraging students to think critically about the interconnected relationships among people, animals, and the planet and to consider how individual and collective choices can create positive change.
At Solid Rock Community School, these principles are woven throughout the educational experience rather than treated as separate lessons. Students may encounter them through humane education, sustainability, environmental stewardship, plant-based food education, project-based learning, wellness initiatives, animal advocacy, and career exploration.
GFAS accreditation provides an independent benchmark for the sanctuary's animal-care practices. The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries evaluates organizations across areas including animal care and welfare, veterinary practices, safety, staffing, governance, financial sustainability, and long-term organizational planning.
For Solid Rock, meeting those standards also creates a powerful example for students of what responsible sanctuary work requires.
"Students interested in animal protection, sanctuary care, veterinary medicine, and related fields are learning in an environment where the animals come first and high standards matter," Fasnacht said. "They see that caring for another living being requires knowledge, consistency, respect, teamwork, and a commitment that lasts for the lifetime of the animal."
That connection is especially meaningful for students participating in S.A.V.E. â Sanctuary for Animals and Veterinary Education, Solid Rock's multi-year Veterinary and Humane Education Program for high school students interested in animal-related careers and college pathways.
Through S.A.V.E., students can study subjects including animal behavior and welfare, species-appropriate care, grooming and husbandry, rescue and rehabilitation, animal protection and advocacy, humane education, habitats, sustainable food systems and gardening, veterinary assisting, veterinary medicine, and wildlife conservation.
Students may also participate in supervised practicum and clinical learning experiences, pursue career certifications, and earn college credit depending on when they enter the program. Instruction includes experienced animal-care and veterinary professionals, including veterinary technicians and veterinarians.
The program is designed around the principle that educational opportunities must never compromise the dignity, comfort, autonomy, or welfare of sanctuary residents. Students learn to observe and respect animals as individuals, recognize behavioral and physical indicators of well-being, and understand that responsible care begins with meeting the needs of the animal.
For Fasnacht, GFAS accreditation strengthens both the sanctuary's mission and the school's commitment to preparing young people to become thoughtful advocates for animals and the planet.
"Rescue is a lifelong responsibility," Fasnacht said. "When we welcome an animal into our sanctuary, we are making a commitment to that individual. Accreditation reinforces the importance of honoring that commitment thoughtfully, ethically, and professionally. Our students get to see what that responsibility looks like in practice and, hopefully, carry those values with them throughout their lives."
Solid Rock Community School serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and emphasizes individualized learning, small class sizes, hands-on education, and strong relationships with families. Compassionate humane education, sustainability, wellness, project-based learning, and respect for animals are integrated throughout the school's broader educational approach.
With the GFAS accreditation of Sanctuary at Solid Rock, the school has reached a milestone that reflects a shared belief at the heart of both organizations: animals deserve lives defined by respect, compassionate care, and protection â and education can play an important role in creating a more compassionate world for people, animals, and the planet.
About Solid Rock Community School
Solid Rock Community School is a private Kâ12 school in Tarpon Springs, Florida. The school combines individualized academics with hands-on learning, sustainability, wellness, animal care, career preparation, and Compassionate Humane Education. Its programs are designed to help students grow academically, socially, emotionally, and ethically while developing confidence, responsibility, critical thinking skills, and a sense of purpose.
About Sanctuary at Solid Rock
Sanctuary at Solid Rock is the rescued animal sanctuary of Solid Rock Community School. It provides lifelong care for rescued animals while also serving as an educational resource for students. The sanctuary supports learning in areas including animal care, veterinary education, conservation, stewardship, and Compassionate Humane Education.
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