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The Healing Power of Horses

By KAREN LEE STEVENS — Oct. 21, 2009

It seems like only yesterday that Allen and Linda Anderson began posting flyers on community bulletin boards and on the Internet, asking animal lovers to submit true stories about their beloved pets for a book titled “Angel Animals.” Today, 13 years and 12 books later, the Minnesota-based speakers, authors and founders of Angel Animals Network continue to help people discover and benefit from the miraculous powers of animals through their best-selling books, seminars, and Web site (www.angelanimals.net).

In this column, I bring you an in-depth interview with Allen and Linda as they talk about their latest book, “Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service.” To order a copy of this beautiful book, visit Amazon.com or your local bookseller.

Q: Why do you say that horses are awe-inspiring spiritual beings and that they have missions?

A: As we gathered stories and did the research for this book, it became clearer to us that horses are sentient beings who make choices, display creativity, and show compassion and gratitude. They give service and fulfill their callings in ways that offer lessons to everyone who has ever wondered what their mission in life might be or how to follow their dreams. We found that horses are displaying spiritual qualities through their high levels of intelligence combined with free will. It surprised us to observe how well horses hide who they really are when they don’t want to be discovered. One of the reasons why the stories in this anthology are so valuable is that they give readers a glimpse into the secrets of horses.

Q: The subjects of a story in your book about a special Hurricane Katrina survivor went viral on the Internet, landed in the New York Times, and were featured on CBS Evening News. Tell us about Molly, the three-legged pony giving hope to New Orleans.

A: 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.

Q: An important part of our heritage is being lost as wild horses vanish from places where they have lived for centuries. What did Karen Sussman do to keep horses and history alive with the lead mare Diana and her rare Gila herd?

A: Karen Sussman, president of International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros, tells the story of Diana and her rare Gila, Arizona herd of wild horses. Karen’s organization rescued the Gila herd and brought them to safety on a ranch near the Badlands on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation. Diana, the herd’s proud and resourceful lead mare, protected her herd and taught great lessons of love and forgiveness. This story contains fascinating information about the reasons for preserving these magnificent wild horses that are part of America’s heritage and the historical and current factors that are driving them to extinction.

Q: What are some of the most unusual missions horses have?

A: In the introduction to “Horses with a Mission” we offer vignettes of horses who have found and fulfilled callings that most wouldn’t think a horse could do. For instance:

Cholla is a horse who paints with a brush, paint, and canvas in his pasture and has his artwork exhibited in fine galleries and wins art competitions.

Jeannie and Tim Clifford’s charity, Back in the Saddle Bit by Bit in Broomfield, Colorado, pairs injured military personnel with trained therapy horses, volunteers, and doctors to aid the soldiers’ recovery.

Stable Influence Charity Programs in Glendale, Arizona brought horses to an elementary school to help seventh graders improve their math by measuring the animals’ height and weight.

Guide Horse Foundation in Kittrell, North Carolina trains miniature horses to guide the blind and assist people who have physical disabilities.

The American Holistic Nurses Association in Dove Creek, Colorado pairs nurses with equine partners for exercises that help the nurses become more authentic and aware in their personal and professional lives.

Thumbelina, the world’s smallest horse, makes more than 200 appearances annually at pediatric cancer units, burn centers, museums, and other public and private events and is driven in the Thumbymobile around the country.

WHILE WE’RE ON THE SUBJECT OF HORSES… The Santa Barbara County Riding Club will host a Hunter/Jumper Show at Earl Warren Showgrounds beginning on Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1. A special program on Friday evening, October 30 will benefit Santa Barbara Equine Assistance & Evacuation Team, a non-profit organization that serves the Santa Barbara horse community with life-saving evacuation and rescue services. The event is free for spectators. For more information, email Rebecca Atwater at becatwater@aol.com or visit www.sbcrc.com.

AND LAST, BUT CERTAINLY NOT LEAST…. On Thursday, October 29, Elements Restaurant & Bar is partnering with All for Animals for a day-long fundraiser. Stop by and have lunch, dinner, drinks or dessert (or all of the above!) and 10% of the proceeds will be donated to the organization. Elements is located at 129 E. Anapmau St., across from the beautiful Courthouse Sunken Gardens. For more information, search for “All for Animals fundraiser” on Facebook.com or send an email message to me at karenleestevens@cox.net.

Karen Lee Stevens is the founder and president of All for Animals, Inc. You may reach her through the organization’s Web site at www.allforanimals.com.

PETS OF THE WEEK – Laguna

One thing is for sure: Laguna loves to play!! This one-year-old, male Cocker Spaniel mix is also very sweet and friendly with people, likes other dogs, passed his cat test and would do well with kids ages 7 and up. As with all puppies, Laguna will benefit from positive reinforcement training, gentle guidance and lots of people and dog socialization. Meet Laguna at K-9 PALS at the Santa Barbara County Shelter, 5473 Overpass Road, or online at www.k-9pals.org.

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Horses heal people to. : 10/21/2009

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