Friday, December 19, 2014

Kid Heroes for Animals: Cool Kid Tina Bergmann Helps Animals In Shelters

 

Kid Heroes: Cool Kid Tina Bergmann Helps Animals In Shelters

  


Here's the next story I found for you as part of my new series "Kid Heroes for Animals" on my Children 4 Horses Facebook page. I will be posting a bunch of amazing stories of kids helping or saving animals from all over the world! You can also submit or suggest your own stories by sending me a message on my Facebook page.  I am hoping the stories I find inspire people, especially kids to be compassionate and caring towards animals and even to be brave and strong!

This is great!  I love doing theses stories, it makes me so happy to know there are lots of other kids out there helping our animals!  I can not imagine a world without animals.  It is really just awesome that there are kids and adults too who commit themselves to helping animals.  ~Declan



Cool Kid Tina Bergmann helps animals in shelters





July 4, 2013 12:00:00 AM PDT
This week's Cool Kid loves animals. She may not be able to help them all, but she's sure doing what she can in her community.

Tina Bergmann is especially drawn to helping those animals who end up in shelters. So much so, the Glendora High School senior founded a club called PAWS, which stands for Protecting Animals Within Shelters.

Members of the club go out and clean local dog parks, but they also gather donations for much-needed supplies for the Rancho Cucamonga Animal Center.

"Shelters don't have big budgets for small things like blankets and towels or toys. So it's great when people can donate to them," said Tina.

Tina and her fellow PAWS group members are dedicated to helping in lots of ways. But she says delivering the donations gives them a great feeling of accomplishment.

"It was really inspirational for me because we just got to see how the blankets and towels we were collecting were helping the animals and how my hard work was paying off to help them," said Tina.
Her genuine affection for all animals is a feeling she hopes to convey to others.

"They love you and I love them back. They're just furry little friends. I just love them. I don't know how someone can't," said Tina.

It's a sad fact of society that so many animals end up in shelters. But Tina Bergmann hopes her efforts make that time just a little more comfortable.


Saturday, November 29, 2014

Kid Heroes for Animals: 9-Year-Old Built Shelter in his Garage to Help Strays



Here's the next story I found for you as part of my new series on my Children 4 Horses Facebook page, called "Kid Heroes for Animals". I will be posting a bunch of amazing stories of kids helping or saving animals from all over the world! You can also submit or suggest your own stories by sending me a message on my Facebook page.  I am hoping the stories I find inspire people, especially kids to be compassionate and caring towards animals and even to be brave and strong!

Ken is only 9 years old and is from the Philippines.  He is a very compassionate boy who has a huge heart!  Read here how he is helping strays in his neighborhood.  ~Declan 



This 9-Year-Old Built A Nonprofit, No-Kill Animal Shelter Out Of His Garage To Help Stray Animals

By  Melissa McGlensey
As posted on Huffington Post
Posted: Updated: 

Ken, 9, has grown up dreaming about someday having a shelter to help the stray animals that live near his home, but he never dreamed he could reach his goal so soon.
Ken did his best to help the local stray dogs and cats he came across near his home in the Philippines, he frequently spent time with them and offered them food, but he longed for the funds to open a no-kill shelter where he could really help his furry friends, according to The Happy Animals Club website.
Then, a few months ago, photos of Ken with three strays made their way onto the Internet, and people from all over the world began to donate money. 
"We got enough money to get the dogs I was feeding off the street, feed them high quality canned food, and provide them with veterinary care," he wrote on his website. 
Ken and his father were also able to build a temporary shelter for the three dogs, named Blackie, Brownie and White Puppy, in their garage. Ken named it The Happy Animals Club. 
"They gained a LOT of weight, their open wounds healed, and their fur grew back," Ken wrote. "They also learned not to be scared of humans."
He plans to put the pups up for adoption soon.
Thanks to the donations, earlier this month Ken was able to sign a one-year lease for a space where he can continue to create a nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter for street animals. He hopes to have it up and running soon. 

Monday, November 24, 2014

Kid Heroes for Animals: 15 Year Old Ran Into A Burning Barn To Save 25 Horses.




I am introducing a new series on my Children 4 Horses Facebook page. It is called "Kid Heroes for Animals". I will be posting a bunch of amazing stories of kids helping or saving animals from all over the world! You can also submit or suggest your own stories by sending me a message on my Facebook page.  I am hoping the stories I find inspire people, especially kids to be compassionate and caring towards animals and even to be brave and strong!

The first story I have for you is about 15 year old Maddie, who is brave beyond comparison! Wait until you see what she did!!  ~Declan

15 Year Old Repeatedly Ran Into A Burning Barn To Save 25 Horses.

15 Year Old Repeatedly Ran Into A Burning Barn To Save 25 Horses.

A 15-year-old girl is being hailed a hero after dashing into a burning barn and rescuing around 25 horses from near death, against her stepfather’s orders. Taking the reins of each kicking and jumping horse, 4ft-10in Madison Wallraf of McHenry, Illinois guided the frantic animals out of the fire-swept stable and to safety.

‘I got kicked in the shoulder by one of the horses in there and I got knocked down a few times, but my adrenaline was so high at the time that it didn’t really phase me.’


Sunday, October 19, 2014

Police Horse Training - Extraordinary Animals



This is pretty cool.  It's really hard for a horse to become a police academy graduate.  This is a look at some of their training for the San Francisco PD.  Horses are pretty awesome!! ~Declan




Police Horse Training - Extraordinary Animals - Series 2 - Earth

Published on Apr 2, 2014

How are horses chosen to work with the police? With entry requirements more rigorous than the U.S. Navy Seals, only 10% of the horses brought in to the San Francisco mounted police unit will make it through basic training. It takes a very special horse to beats those odds.


Sunday, September 28, 2014

Photos of Extremely Rare Moment - White Camargue Horses Race Along France's Rhone River


Beautiful horses! ~Declan


Just horsing around! Fascinating photos reveal extremely rare moment white Camargue horses race along France's Rhone River

  • Xavier Oretgas Ojuel photographed a herd of rare white horses galloping through saltwater at sunset
  • The animals are native to the region where they've long lived in several ranches along the Rhone River
  • Camargue is a relatively remote natural paradise, located near Arles, along France's southern coast
By Katie Amey
As posted on Mail Online
A herd of white Camargue horses galloping through a calm delta at sunset made for some stunning photos from Barcelona-based photographer Xavier Oretga Ojuel.

The Spanish man travelled hundreds of miles to capture this magical moment of the rare animals racing wildly against the setting sun.

Rushing along the remote landscape, the surf is kicked up and the animals' movements blurred, as they are permitted to run free outside for their ranches along the Rhone River, near Arles, France.

Horseplay: A herd of white horses gallop through the saltwater of the Rhone River in France
Horseplay: A herd of white horses gallop through the saltwater of the Rhone River in France


The animals belong to several ranches along the Camargue, a natural region located south of Arles, France
The animals belong to several ranches along the Camargue, a natural region located south of Arles, France


The photographs, taken at sunset, capture the horses between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhone River delta
The photographs, taken at sunset, capture the horses between the Mediterranean Sea and the two arms of the Rhone River delta


The herd is carefree and playful, kicking up water as they splash in the surf
The herd is carefree and playful, kicking up water as they splash in the surf

This is the third time that the photographer has made the trip to region to photograph these majestic creatures, building up quite a portfolio of images along the way.

'In these three years, I have seen many horses - usually they can run for ten minutes until the leader decides to quit,' Xavier said.

'I love seeing horses like this - running free in the wild. They are one of my favourite animals, displaying a combination of power, beauty and water in a great place with magnificent light.' 

He added: 'I remember taking these particular photos. It was a magical moment.

'The sky was ablaze with yellow clouds when a herd of white horses came running through the marsh.

'I chose a short lens to capture the beautiful landscape and I believe I took one of my best pictures.' 

These Camargue horses are named after the region of southern France they are native to
These Camargue horses are named after the region of southern France they are native to


The images are slightly blurred due to the horses' quick movements
The images are slightly blurred due to the horses' quick movements


The rare white creatures are believed to be ancestors of Palaeolithic era horses, which lived over 17,000 years ago
The rare white creatures are believed to be ancestors of Palaeolithic era horses, which lived over 17,000 years ago


The horses have been running wild in this area for years, but belong to ranches along the remote coast of the Camargue
The horses have been running wild in this area for years, but belong to ranches along the remote coast of the Camargue


'I love seeing horses like this - running free in the wild,' photographer Xavier Ortega says
'I love seeing horses like this - running free in the wild,' photographer Xavier Ortega says


The horses slow to a walk once their leader has decided he's tired of running in the calm waters
The horses slow to a walk once their leader has decided he's tired of running in the calm waters



Saturday, September 20, 2014

Horses of Honor in Chicago




Cool artwork.  I love all the colors and designs!  ~Declan


Horses of Honor




All over the city, Horses of Honor are on display. These life-size fiberglass statues of Chicago's police horses were designed to raise awareness and support for the Chicago Police Memorial Foundation. There are 16 horses currently on display with 40 more expected to roll out shortly. The featured horses will be on display around the city through mid-November.




Friday, September 19, 2014

Suffolks Down Horses Need New Homes After Track Closing




A VERY IMPORTANT LETTER VIA DOVER SADDLERY!!  PLEASE SHARE AND HELP IF YOU CAN!!  Read more details about the track closing in the article below.  ~DECLAN


Dear Fellow Equestrian,

After a 79 year legacy of horse racing, Suffolk Downs has announced that it will be closing its starting gates at the end of the 2014 Season on September 29th. Many of the Thoroughbreds that have found their first careers at the track will be in need of new homes and jobs after the closing. While there will be a grace period after the track closes in order to allow horses to be matched with new owners, CANTER New England, a non-profit horse welfare group, expects that over 100 horses will need to be re-homed by mid-October. 

For those interested in purchasing one of the Suffolk Downs OTTBs, CANTER New England will be hosting an Open House at Suffolk Downs on Sunday, September 27th from 8:30am until 12:00 pm. Additionally, a CANTER New England representative will be available at the track on Wednesday, September 24th. If you are unable to attend the open house, please email CANTER at adoptions@canterne.org to schedule a time. Buyer resources, such as transportation, veterinarian, and guides to answer questions about transitioning a race horse to farm life, will be available to interested buyers. 

We here at Dover Saddlery have been a longtime supporter of CANTER New England and have purchased horses from Suffolk Downs in the past. In a further effort to help support the re-homing of these horses, we will be provide buyers of these Suffolk Downs OTTBs a starter kit that includes a halter, lead rope and a $20 Dover Saddlery gift certificate.

If you'd like to view available horses, please visit CANTER New England atwww.canterusa.org/newengland, and join us for the Open House at Suffolk Downs later this month. Keep following our blog for updates and special features on the promising Suffolk Downs OTTBs that are in need of a new home to help take them to their next winner's circle.

Please feel free to forward this email to your fellow equestrians and help spread the news.

Sincerely,


Stephen L. Day
President & CEO, Dover Saddlery
Suffolk Downs and Canter


Where 700 Horses At Suffolk Downs Will Go After The Races Shut Down


A Suffolk Downs horse race is seen here in this 2007 file photo. (Lisa Poole/AP)
A Suffolk Downs horse race is seen here in this 2007 file photo. (Lisa Poole/AP)
BOSTON — There are 700 horses in the stables at Suffolk Downs in Revere.
In fewer than two weeks, the sounds of their thundering hooves will no longer be heard at the 80-year-old racetrack situated in East Boston.
What happens after that?
“Most of them will go somewhere else to race,” said Osvaldo Rivera, a horse trainer who has been working at Suffolk Downs for 30 years. “The ones who can’t compete will be given away as riding horses or ponies or whatever.”
Of the 700 horses at Suffolk Downs, those not fit for racing will likely be given up for adoption. (Delores Handy/WBUR)
Of the 700 horses at Suffolk Downs, those not fit for racing will likely be given up for adoption. (Delores Handy/WBUR)
Rivera said that the horses will likely all go to adoption.
“They can’t go to slaughter. We can’t do that anymore,” he said.
Suffolk Downs investors have been hemorrhaging money in hopes that a casino licence would turn things around, but thatlicense went to Everett instead.
Chip Tuttle, the chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs, said the track has been losing money since 2006 to the tune of over $50 million.
Tuttle said that with the financial losses, it’s impossible to continue running the facility. He said the racing track will need to be shuttered by the end of the year.
The track’s closure would put about 1,100 track employees out of work. Those workers, plus blacksmiths and others in allied fields, could mean upwards of 2,000 jobs impacted, according to track officials.
Tammi Piermarini is one of those people. Over 30 years ago, she started her racing career at Suffolk Downs. She is now the third leading female jockey in the history of horse racing.
Jockey Tammi Piermarini speaks to media in front of the racetrack Wednesday. (Delores Handy/WBUR)
Jockey Tammi Piermarini speaks to media at the racetrack Wednesday. (Delores Handy/WBUR)
“I was 18 when I began racing, and I remember coming in my first day riding,” she recalled. “You see where we stand today? You couldn’t move, there were so many people. The crowds. It was almost like being at the Kentucky Derby. That’s how many people.”
Piermarini had hoped for a return to those golden days of horse racing, but said her hopes were dashed with this week’s casino decision.
“The loss of the casino is the final straw. That would have helped us out immensely. It would have brought more trainers in. It would have brought more riders in. And it would have brought a different crowd in,” she said. “It definitely would have revitalized the industry and would have saved a lot of people that had farms.”
George Brown has a farm in Rehoboth. He says closing Suffolk Downs means the end of a family legacy.
“My farm has been in my family since 1850. I have the original deed. My great-great-grandfather bought the farm for $575. As far as my farm is concerned: with horses, it’s done,” Brown said.
The final Suffolk Downs horse race is scheduled for Sept. 29. The track will close for good in December.