TWENTY-ONE DRAMATIC TRUE STORIES OF COURAGEOUS, LOYAL,
AND LOVING HORSES WHO FOUND THEIR LIFE'S PURPOSE
A Selection of Horses with a Mission’s Contributing
Authors,
Story Descriptions, Photos, Websites, and Video Clips
Molly with Kaye (left) and Makaila Valentine at Camp Rap-A-Hope for children cancer survivors
"Molly, the Three-Legged Pony Who Gave Hope to New Orleans" The subjects of this story about a special Hurricane Katrina survivor went viral on the Internet, landed in the New York Times, and were featured on CBS Evening News.
Kaye T. Harris worked tirelessly to rescue animals with MuttShack Animal Triage Center in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She rescued a pony named Molly who had survived the storms and having a tree fall into her stall. After Kaye brought Molly to her ranch where she raises ponies, in a freak accident, a rescued dog chewed off Molly's leg. With her loss of a leg, surgery, and prosthetic
device, Molly inspired the people of New Orleans and admirers around the world. Now Molly and Kaye visit children's hospitals, nursing homes, and other places that invite them to spread their message of hope. www.mollythepony.com
For the first time, this is Kaye and Molly’s story in
Kaye’s own words with the details of Molly’s groundbreaking surgery at
Louisiana State University Equine Clinic, miraculous recovery with a prosthetic
device to replace her chewed-off leg, and current mission of bringing hope and
joy to children’s hospitals, seniors, people with disabilities, and the New
Orleans’s Katrina survivors.
CBS Evening News “The Little Three-Legged Pony That Could”
at cbsnews.com/stories/2009/02/23/eveningnews/main4822620shtml
Visit Molly the Pony at www.myspace.com/mollythepony
Miles J. Dean, "Sankofa, the Horse Who Rewrote History" A wise-beyond-his-years Arabian stallion made it possible for social studies teacher Miles J. Dean to complete a cross-country journey in tribute to African American ancestors. His goal was to heighten the awareness about Black Cowboys and the contributions of African Americans. Millions of adults and school children followed their odyssey as Miles and Sankofa made history
come alive. www.milesdean.com
Miles J. Dean and Sankofa
As a teacher, Miles was frustrated by how poorly the textbooks covered the contributions of African Americans. He brought hope and inspiration to millions with his podcasts from the road, the interviews he conducted of experts at Black colleges, and presentations for schools along the course of his journey.
Miles's story was covered by the Star-Ledger, statewide New Jersey newspaper published in Newark, with podcasts called "Where's Miles Dean?" on Nj.com/news. Miles is planning another trip in 2011.
New York City Author Shows That Horses Make Conscious Choices
Radio host and certified equine specialist Christianna E. Capra of New York City is the author of “Finding My Passionate Purpose with Spring Thaw”. Capra tells how adopting an Appaloose/thoroughbred-cross gelding from New York’s legendary Claremont Riding Academy and developing a deeply spiritual bond with him inspired her to get into Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning. Capra is trained in the EAGALA system and is executive director and cofounder of Spring Reins of Hope (getting to the horse of the matter).
Since the publishing of the story, "Finding My Passionate Purpose with Spring Thaw", featured in Horses with a Mission the purpose has come to fruition in the official launching of the Equine Assisted Therapy program Spring Reins of Hope. See the announcement below:
Spring Reins of Hope(SROH) is a ground-breaking program offering Equine Assisted services which are designed to generate personal resources and empowerment. At Spring Reins of Hope we are committed to improving people’s lives both personally and professionally. The field of Equine Assisted work is growing at a rapid pace with marked results. Founded in 2009, Spring Reins of Hope offers both Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP for personal growth) and Equine Assisted Learning (EAL for professional growth). Horses, which are herd bound prey animals, are a perfect choice to serve as gentle guides in this arena due to their inherent ability to increase self-awareness and generate opportunities for resiliency. All exercises are un-mounted and no horse experience is necessary to benefit. Please join us and explore the various services we offer. On a Zephyr Wind the horses patiently await your arrival.
Karen's Diana (right) with two other wild horses Weldon Lee, www.weldonlee.com
All Rights Reserved.
Karen Sussman, "Diana: The Saga of a Wild Horse." Karen
rescued Diana and her rare Gila, Arizona herd of wild horses. Diana was lead
mare and protected her herd, teaching the great lesson of forgiveness. Karen
documents the wild herds that were facing elimination until she brought them to a ranch, in the
Badlands, on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
Karen Sussman is president of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB, www.ispmb.org) and a leading authority and advocate for the preservation of wild horses. Her goal is to bring the conservation model she is developing on the acreage where her four wild herds run to other areas of the country and to develop ecotourism nationally and worldwide.
Sally Heins, “Riley’s Greatest Gift.” Sally became close
to Riley who arrived at the sanctuary as an injured horse. Riley had to have
her leg amputated. She was fitted with a prosthesis and showed extreme bravery
and a will to live as experimental procedures helped her to walk again. Riley’s
prosthesis enabled Best Friends Animal Society (www.bestfriends.org) veterinary staff in Kanab, Utah
to show vets and others that a prosthetic device is an option to euthanization for
some horses. The story contains important criteria to help determine if a horse
is a good candidate for a prosthesis.
Slide Show Tribute to Riley at http://www.bestfriends.org/slideshows/riley/tribute.html
Sally is the lead vet tech for the large animal departments at Best Friends Animal Society. Riley made veterinary medical history with her unique prosthesis and was covered in media throughout the United States and in England and Japan. Read about "Riley's Legacy at http://news.bestfriends.org/index.cfm?
page=news&mode=entry&entry=13A889AC-DCF4-01A2-572F7447FE0845D5
Sally Heins's Riley Photo by ( Gary Alan Kalpakoff, www.garyalankalpakoff.com.
All Rights Reserved.
Michael Mountain, past president of Best Friends, said about this book, "Through their courage, sensitivity, kindness, and so many other characteristics, the horses in this book become our inspiration and guides. I was especially taken with the way each story gives us something to reflect on in our own lives. And each chapter ends with an invitation to follow up on what we've just felt and experienced, a way to experience quiet time with these magical beings."
Tanya Welsch's Viola Photo by Michael Crouser
Tanya K. Welsch, “Viola, Wise Mother Mare.” A Norwegian
Fjord horse and draft pony named Viola was imported from Norway to become a
broodmare in upstate New York. Viola eventually made her way to Tanya Welsch and
MN LINC (Minnesota Linking Individuals, Nature, and Critters). At MN LINC Viola
put her mothering skills to excellent use as a co-therapist in the
animal-and-nature-facilitated psychotherapy, learning, and wellness program for
youth and families. With her innate maternal wisdom, Viola is incredibly
intuitive and nurturing, especially with at-risk youth. This story focuses on
how Viola helped to heal a teenager named Amy to become more centered and
independent. www.mnlinc.org
Tanya is a licensed social worker and co-founder of nonprofit MN LINC (Minnesota Linking Individuals, Nature, & Critters, Inc.), which incorporates the human-animal-nature bond in work with youth, families, and human services agencies. Tanya teaches animal-assisted therapy and education and is a Delta Society Pet Partners team evaluatuator and board member of Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association. She often writes for the Star Tribune.
"Under the Wings of Pegasus" An unhappy older horse finds his bliss and his calling by giving guidance and protection to young horses.
Vanessa Wright has an equestrian exhibit, The Literary Horse: When Legend Comes to Life (www.TheLiteraryHorse.com), touring the nation's libraries. She has a MEd from Harvard, BA from University of Chicago and is certified by American Riding Instructors Association.
Vanessa Wright's Pegasus
Cooky McClung's son Chris and Peanut
Cooky's story was the grand prizewinner in the AngelHorses with a Mission True Story Contest.
"Old Pony Peanut Finds and Old Friend" An elderly and forgetful horse, who had been the favorite playmate of Cooky McClung's children, lost his youth and usefulness until he connected with a kindred human counterpart and brought joy and conversation to both their final days.
Cooky is a well known equestrian journalist and author who has covered national and international equestrian competitions for half a decade.
She currently writes for Phelps-SportsNetwork based in Wellington, Florida. Mason Phelps, Jr., president, PhelpsSports.com, has endorsed the book by saying, "Horses with a Mission allows us to travel into the world of the horse from so many unique perspectives and introduces horses that have touched and changed the lives of many people. To have our own writer, Cooky McClung, featured
in this wonderful work makes it all the more fun. It's a fabulous read."
Representatives of PhelpsSports.com have
been credentialed for top international events around the world including the
World Cup Finals for dressage and show jumping, and all three equestrian sports
at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Annette Fisher, "Rocky, the Rescued Horse Who Is Changing a Community." Annette and her nonprofit organization, Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary, rescued an injured young Percheron as part of their Amish Horse Retirement Program, and the horse has become such a success story that he's furthered their efforts to work with the local Amish community and rescue more horses.
Annette is executive director of Happy Trails Farm Animal Sanctuary (www.happytrailsfarm.org), dedicated to spreading compassion and kindness for all animals, including farm animals and horses.
The organization has a popular sponsorship program where city-folk travel to Ravenna, Ohio to visit a farm animal they are sponsoring.
Annette's Rocky
Click to purchase an autographed Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service.
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"This collection ofstories will remind anyone who has ever had a horse as a best friend,confidante, and soul mate of what a special gift that can be."
--Carson Kressley, Emmy Award-winning TV host, designer, and author of Off
the Cuff
Annette’s Rocky
"With hearts and minds open, we can learn from the wild and domesticated horses in this wonderful book."
--Joe Camp, author of The Soul of the Horse and creator of the films starring the canine superstar Benji
Meagan’s Charlie
"You don't need to be an avid equestrian like me to truly enjoy this book, as the stories resonate with a spirit of hope and harmony that is shared by all creatures great and small."
--Alison Eastwood, actress, director, and producer (Clint Eastwood’s daughter)
Sam & Saki
"Through their courage, sensitivity, and kindness, the horses in this book become our inspiration and guides."
--Michael Mountain, former president of Best Friends Animal Society
"Horses with a Mission is an important book, one that will spark your
imagination and inspire you to embrace the magical moments in life that happen
every single day. It also reaffirms what any genuine horse lover
knows: that these sentient creatures deserve our respect. This book was a
joy to read."
--Melanie Sue Bowles, author of The Horses of Proud Spirit and Hoof
Prints: More Stories from Proud Spirit and founder of Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary
Steve’s Frostbite
“The spiritual and physical bond between horses and the
humans who love them often reaches mystical proportions. Nothing celebrates
that very special relationship more movingly or with greater clarity than Horses with a Mission.” --Steven D. Price, editor of The Whole Horse
Catalog and 1001 Best Things Ever
Said about Horses
Tanya's Viola
"Horses are the focal point of our lives here atPhelpsSports.com. We cover these extraordinary athletes on a daily basis, but I think sometimes we all tend to lose focus on what wonderful creatures they
really are. Horses with a Mission allows
us to travel into the world of the horse from so many unique perspectives,
and it introduces us to horses that have touched and changed the lives of
so many people. To have our own writer, Cooky McClung featured in this
wonderful work, makes it all that more fun. It's a fabulous read."
--Mason Phelps, Jr., president, PhelpsSports.com
Pauline’s Peen
"Many pets are here on this earth to help humans in the
journey of life. Horses, with their primal nature as prey animals, daily make
choices to override their fears, get past traumas, and put themselves in danger
to be one with the humans who love them. The stories in this book are great
examples of the power of unconditional love, which I am reminded of every day
in my work helping clients." --Lydia Hiby, animal communicator
"As an equine professional teaching in seven countries for
over forty years, I have read and witnessed many inspirational, magical, and
wonderful interactions between horses and humans. Horses with a Mission
is an exceptional collection of such stories. The contributors show fine
writing abilities and talent and share the deep appreciation and love they have
for their equine counterparts. Bravo. Enjoy!" --Franklin Levinson,www.WayoftheHorse.org
