My name is Chelsea Bollinger. I am a Northern VA native. I grew up in Haymarket and attended George Mason University for my undergraduate degree in Biology. During college, I worked as veterinary assistant and after college I worked in clinical laboratory science, before ultimately becoming a high school science teach and earning my Master’s of Education. I was a classroom teacher here in Prince William County until 2021, when I accepted a remote position that allowed me to step out of the classroom to focus more on projects at the farm where I live with my husband and children. I am the founder of Equine Connection Center, where we provide lifelong sanctuary to rescued horses and other equine animals like donkeys, while making experiences with these animals more accessible to the public. The farm is open by appointment to anyone of all ages and abilities to learn about and benefit from time with rescued equines!
About Chelsea Bollinger
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’ve lived in Northern Virginia since just shortly before I was five, and I have lived in Prince William County since 2001 when my family moved here from Loudon. I have lived here my entire adult life, and actually met my husband when we were attending high school in Haymarket! We have lived in Nokesville since 2021.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
Equine Connection Center is an educational equine sanctuary that was born out my experience as an educator and my passion for animal welfare. Growing up, I always thought that I would become a veterinarian but my path after college led me to becoming a science teacher, where I found so much joy sharing knowledge with young people. But caring for animals has always continued to be a major source of joy in my life. When my family moved to farmland in Nokesville, I began to explore ways to merge my skills as an educator with this unwavering desire to help animals. During this exploration, I was bit by the horse-bug and we have never looked back. I really believe the more you know about the challenges faced by “unwanted” horses and donkeys, it becomes impossible not to care – especially after you meet these animals and realize how much they have to give in terms of companionship, joy, and love. It is so important to me to be able to share this with others!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Advice I would give people is if they have a passion, to make sure that they follow it. It sounds cliche but I think that when you care about something so intensely, regardless of what it is, that is what makes the difference and has so much potential to be impactful on others. When you believe in what you are doing, whether it is work or a hobby or whatever, its that fervor that blazes new trails for other people to be able join you or even to realize that what you are doing is out there and possible.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In five to ten years, I would like to have a really solid footing for our programs here at Equine Connection Center that supports our ability to continue to rescue animals, share these experiences and learning opportunities with people, and to provide the best care possible to our sanctuary residents. I really want people to know we are here and what we are doing, so that we can keep doing it for years to come.
Chelsea Bollinger & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
For a nice dinner, we are big fans of Black Sheep as well as Denim and Pearls in Warrenton. But you’ll find me at Taco Bell or Panera probably a little more often than I would like to admit!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I have lived in PWC since 2001 and worked in PWC in some capacity since 2008 – nearly my whole life!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
The most interesting people I have met in our community are the veterinarians that I have worked with closely either as a veterinary assistant in small animal medicine or as a client for equine medicine. The people who provide medical care for our animals are truly some of the most special people around.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Having grown up here, before Atlas Walk, etc. was a thing and it was like only Giant in Gainesville and Food Lion in Haymarket… if I had to pick one former business, it would definitely be the little Christmas store on Rt 55 when you still had to cross the railroad tracks to get into Gainesville!
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
My favorite thing about our community is that we have such a mix of landscapes within such a relatively small area. It is very cool to be able to benefit from urban/suburban conveniences and experiences, but also aspects of rural community as well. In less than an hour you can be in a city or the middle of nowhere, and I think that is really unique.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
If I could have lunch with anyone alive today, it would have to be Jane Goodall. That is such a biology-nerd answer, but I cannot think of anyone else who has made such a profound impact as a biologist and an educator in shaping people’s perspectives on respect for living things. I’d be happy to meet her in London for this lunch!
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
I’ll be honest between work, family, and horses, I really do not watch much in terms of TV or movies. If I do, its old reruns of Friends or Big Bang Theory.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Something interesting about me that even people who know me well might not know is that I almost went to Christopher Newport University for an undergraduate degree in Marine Biology, because I thought I wanted to be a marine animal veterinarian. As it turns out, I can’t scuba dive due to an inner ear problem, so I had to shift gears!
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I would rate my friends and family a 10 out of 10! I am forever grateful to have such a strong support system and safety net of people that I am never too afraid to take a risk!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I am inspired to continue to grow and get better by my family, close friends, and my animals. They give so much to me in terms of love, support, and more, and I want to make sure that I am always doing right by them by doing my best.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
When I think of home I think of safety, security, and comfort in the things and people you know and love. And, as an aside, I just saw a cute sign in a store that said, “home is where your herd is” and that is something I definitely can relate to 🙂
