AZ Gives is an annual day for people to support non-profits they love that are located in Arizona and this year was on Tue., April 6th. We had a matching donation up to $5000 and by early afternoon it was matched with donations. The current amount raised so far is $14,023.00. Fabulous, Awesome, Wow!
So very humbling.
This morning more people are letting us know they still want to donate to help our Mission and we want you to know that you still can. When you click the link below it takes you to our Donation page and as you scroll down that page it has links for PayPal, Debit/Credit cards and Venmo. If you want to send a check our address is: EqWBR, 8369 Buckskin Trail, Snowflake, AZ 85937. We will make our final tally next week so everyone has the chance to participate.
We are so blessed with the support you give us. It helps us care for the 32 horses, donkeys and minis at the rescue and help others that are in need.
You help us save and make their lives so much better!
AZ Gives is an annual day for people to support non-profits they love that are located in Arizona. This year we are very fortunate to have a matching donation up to $5000. What does that mean? For every dollar you donate today to raise funds for the rescue, it will be doubled. $5 becomes $10, $20 becomes $40, $100 becomes $200, and if we match the entire $5000, that will raise $10,000 that will help us help so many.
Our beloved Poco needed and received so much care thanks to you!
In 2020, we brought 26 horses, 3 donkeys and 3 mini donkeys into the rescue. Rain, Sable and Willow were emaciated and needed food and health care, Waylon who had cancer, Jake was hit by a car and needed surgery and nursing care, Poco the brave little burro was disabled his entire life and needed so much care. We were able to provide for their needs through the wonderful donations from all. You make a difference in so many lives.
There are SO many charities to support that provide wonderful services. We are one of the few 100% volunteer organizations, meaning we have no paid staff or employees, not even me..... Donations go to the feeding and care of the 32 equines currently at the rescue and others in need.
Through our Equine Emergency Food Fund last year we helped feed 90 equines and since the fund started we have spent over $7400 to help horses, donkeys and minis whose families needed temporary help with feeding.
We know there are so many deserving charities and we humbly ask that you give us consideration if you are making donations today. We hope we have proven ourselves as an organization that puts those in our care first and still reaches out to those in need in the community. Our volunteers are able to do so much with what we are blessed with and we appreciate every dollar donated to help our Mission of providing loving rehabilitation, nursing and hospice care for equines with medical needs and finding homes or sanctuary for others at risk.
Jake fully recovered after being hit by a car and 3 surgeries
Checks mailed today will still count towards doubling and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, just reply to this email or call me at 760-703-4860.
Thank you all for your generosity!!!!
Christine and all of us at Equine WellBeing Rescue 501c3 Public Charity Tax ID 45-2835562
"They changed my bandage and no matter what they tried I could not seem to walk on my foot. They made the boot walker a little bigger for my healing foot, then they tried using just the splints without the walker and when they tried to get me to stand up on it straight I just couldn’t do it. I heard mom call the doctor and he said he would be out as soon as he could. Mom gave me a massage that felt so good and lots of cookies.
Doc and his friend, another doctor arrived and I got up from my nap to say Hi. I had a lot of trouble getting up and it wasn’t my foot. Doc looked at pictures of my foot mom had and said it looked good, then a video mom took of me walking and said my knee was not working anymore and that is why I could not walk. They knew my other knee was hurting really bad and said it couldn’t hold all my weight. They all seemed to know how much I hurt.
I had medicine before that let me sleep so I wouldn’t hurt while they worked on my foot, changed my bandage, took lots of x-rays all over, and did the diagnostics and treatments I needed. Mom gave me cookies and great big hugs, then they gave me some different medicine.
This time when I woke up it was beautiful, this first day of spring. I saw desert flowers and heard birds sing. Then I saw Warrior, Dreamer and Amy (who had passed before me). They said to me, " Get up little one, let's go play."
I got up and nothing hurt. I looked at my foot and it was perfect. They took off and I said, "wait for me!" I walked so easy that I started to run and kick up my heels....joy I have never felt before. I bucked, I rolled, I reared up, I ran and did it some more....so happy, I sang my song for all to hear.
Then I saw it, the most beautiful rainbow and heard my mom say, "Run Little One, run. We all love you so much." This place they call heaven is a happy place where I feel so good and know I am so loved.
Thank you ALL for what you have done for me. When you hear a donkey or burro bray, think of me and know I am in Paradise running pain free. Love, Poco. The Brave Little Burro" This was posted on our Facebook Page 3-21-20.
Many of you may not know Poco's story, a wild burro found in the Havasu Wildlife Refuge and photographed by hiker, Terry Shoblom Watt in 2014. Poco was dragging his right hind foot and it appeared the hoof had grown in a circular manner and was quite long. The BLM was contacted and their Wild Horse and Burro specialist, Chad Benson, captured him and he was given to Journey's End Ranch Animal Sanctuary (JERAS) in Kingman, AZ to live out his days.
Poco went to the local vet, x-rays were taken and it was discovered that his right hind foot had a deformity and the overgrown hoof was removed. Cathy at JERAS was able to care for Poco and his special needs hoof until June of 2020, when, because of her own health, she asked us if he could live out his years here. Poco joined EqWBR on June 20, 2020 along with his companion a mini-donkey we called Teddy.
Poco's foot beginning to heal
In December, 2020 we noticed a change in Poco's stance and the angle of his foot, so wrapped his foot and the vet called. When the vet arrived we found the foot had a very deep infection and the wrapping had finally brought it to the surface. The tendon holding his foot was inflamed from the many years of the stress of him dragging his foot and was no longer able to support the hoof which is why the angle had changed, that caused Poco to put more weight on his left side, changing his stance. With his foot deformity (very small, crushed coffin bone) there was no bone for the hoof and its tissue to attach to and with the inflamed foot the hoof had started to detach so it was surgically removed.
We felt by treating the infection and allowing his hoof to regrow, which we knew would take many, many months, was a very good option for him to make his life easier. X-rays were taken and an aggressive treatment plan was established including new types of treatment to give him the best chance at recovery.
With the lack of attachment of the tendon to his foot we created a boot walker out of PVC pipe to cradle his healing foot and support his pastern and fetlock.
Every week we would remove his bandage to see how his foot was healing and to give additional treatment including Silver Honey. Using antibiotics, medical maggots, palette rich plasma (PRP) therapy, anti-inflammatories and other supportive medicines and supplements we could see wonderful healing after only 3 weeks and we were very encouraged about his recovery.
Keeping his foot bandaged and supported was helping so much in his healing. Poco's mood brightened and with the success of the boot walker we felt that with an orthotic to support his pastern that was no longer supported by the tendon, if the foot continued to heal, he could have relief he may not have had his entire life.
After x-rays of both his stifle's (knees) we found some arthritis and joint issues caused by the stress to his body from his foot deformity. We treated both his stifle joints with injections to help reduce inflammation from arthritis, provide lubrication for the joints and to make him more comfortable.
For the first time since perhaps he was a foal, he was able to stand upright on his right leg and take pressure off his left hind leg that had sustained his hind end weight most of his life.
We kept Poco blanketed on the cold days and nights, in he barn during bad weather and out in the sun on the warm days where he loved to lay in a sandy spot we made for him and soak up the sun. We gave him daily massages to help stimulate his muscles and ease his tendons and ligaments.
We continued our weekly bandage changes and his hoof started to grow back. We contacted several specialists that make prosthetics and orthotics and started the process of making a long-term orthotic for him.
Working from samples made for large dogs we found a boot walker type orthotic that would work great for Poco as his foot continued to heal and his hoof grow out. It would be specialized to support his pastern and room for his hoof to grow which we knew would take several more months. A completely new hoof takes about a year to grow so this would be a great way to help him. We scheduled an appointment the first week of April to make the cast mold for his custom orthotic.
We were joyful that in the mornings when we would come out to feed Poco would grace us with his bray that everyone referred to as his "song". A sign that he was feeling good and looking forward to his breakfast.
Over this past weekend we changed his bandage and no matter what we tried, he could not seem to stand on his right foot. We noticed his stance was off so we changed the angle of his boot walker and that didn't help, bandaged with splinting instead giving him support in the pastern and a splint to balance and that seemed to help, but his stifle (knee) didn't look as it had and with him not wanting to bear weight we asked the vet to come out as quickly as he could.
The vet arrived and brought another vet with him and what we suspected was confirmed, his right knee was "blown", no longer functioning and his left knee, already stressed from years of carrying his body was struggling to bear his weight too. Clearly Poco was in pain.
Even though his foot was healing, we never want those in our care to be suffering from pain or diminished quality of life so the decision to release him from his pain was made.
There are so many people who worked so hard to help this sweet guy heal and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Mark, Dr. Tammy and Dr. Gus, and the many doctors who helped us with our research of orthotics; all of our volunteers who took such wonderful care of Poco, assisting lovingly with all his needs, our medical team of volunteers who did weekly bandage changes (Myself, Lary, Joey, Darin), Kelli from Animal Krackers and Michele one of our farriers; Summit Joint Performance who donated funds and Equine Max joint injections, Absorbine (WF Young Inc) who donated a variety of supplements and Silver Honey which was applied to his healing foot each bandage change (a fabulous healing topical); our board of directors, followers, donors and those who said prayers for his recovery. We also thank Cathy at JERAS for the years she cared for him, we know his passing is as hard for her as it is for us.
As the rescue's health care manager I had more time with Poco than anyone and he stole my heart. I am so blessed for every moment we spent together. I struggle looking out the front door and not seeing him anymore. His blanket, food bucket and everything with his name on it is a reminder of how beautiful and special he was.
Run In Paradise (RIP) you brave little burro. Run like you never have before....kicking up your heals....pain free. We all love and miss you so very much!
He arrived at the rescue last July when we were asked to let him live out his years after his owner passed away. A fabulous lady named Nature had been providing for him since the owner passed away, but her health necessitated him finding a new home so we offered to give him one and are so glad we did.
Today is Ned's (registered name: Contenders Nieto) 31st birthday and we are so happy to celebrate it with him. He seems very happy here and has such a positive spirit.
But in his old years he also suffers from arthritis which we treat with daily Previcox (Equioxx) as a long-term pain medicine and with about half his teeth he also gets 15 pounds of Purina Equine Senior a day to keep his stylish figure, and Absorbine's Bute-Less and Flex-Max Joint Supplement...all to help him feel better.
If you would like to help celebrate Ned's birthday with a small donation for his feeding and care it would be so appreciated. With his energy and loving old soul we hope he is with us for years to come.
After years of service as a riding horse, we want him to enjoy his retirement and stay care free.
Thank you all for your love and support....together we provide for their WellBeing!
SNOWFLAKE – The management team at the Show Low Home Depot store call themselves “Team Depot” and they recently completed a community project at Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. (EqWBR) in Snowflake.
Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. president and founder, Christin Griffin, (far right) presents the Home Depot management team with a ‘Thank You’ plaque for their efforts in organizing the grant project from supplies to trenching to installation of electric lines and light fixtures. From left are Show Low Home Depot Operations Assistant Manager, John Hutchens, Store Manager Dawn Moreno, TeamDepot Captain Mike Taylor and Christine Griffin.
Laura Singleton/The Independent
One might say they “knocked it out of the pasture.”
Team Depot led an industrious group of about 10 staff members in a project to bring much-needed power, lighting and water lines to the equine rescue’s office, hay barn, machine shed, stalls, pasture areas and out-buildings. (More staff wanted to be involved but the group was limited by COVID precautions.)
Front row, from left, are Team Depot Captain and Asst. Store Manager Mike Taylor, Henry Stanislawski, Cassie Cline. In the second row are Assistant Store Manager Dina Rudolph, Assistant Store Manager Clinton Misner, Store Manager Dawn Moreno. In the back row are Operations Assistant Store Manager John Hutchens, Don Collier and Terrie Shepherd (not pictured.) The crew also received behind the scenes help from Tool Rental Team, Jim Andrews and Tony Palumbo. Terrie Shepherd (not pictured is Team Home Depot staffers and managers pose for a picture amidst their work at Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. in Snowflake. A grant from the Home Depot foundation, along with the hard work of staff and volunteers resulted in much needed electric to the water troughs, lights to the stalls, hay barn, office, shed and pasture areas inside the equine rescue facility.
Photo courtesy of Christine Griffin
“Day in and day out we get to have the community in our store,” said Show Low Home Depot Operations Assistant Manager John Hutchens. “This time we got to go outside and see our efforts make a difference.”
A “very nice couple” who wish to remain anonymous, approached Show Low Home Depot’s management last year about pursuing a grant for an improvement project at the local, non-profit, volunteer equine rescue.
Some time after the couple’s inquiry, a substantial grant from the Home Depot Foundation was awarded for this specific project in 2019 but the work was postponed due to COVID-19. The spring project became a November project on a day of perfectly mild weather — ideal for working outside and for social distancing.
“We have a store of orange-blooded employees who could see tangible, positive impact in the community,” said Home Depot Store Manager Dawn Moreno.
The view from the residence, looking (west) out toward toward the barn, stalls and pastures BEFORE the lighting was installed during the Home Depot community project.
Photo courtesy of Christine Griffin
Now that the work is done, the local equine rescue has lighting and water lines in areas that were previously dark. This eliminated the need for multiple, long extension cords to run electric to water trough heaters. The improvements reduce the risk of fire and have made water available at each trough, eliminating the need to fill each 300-gallon water trough, by hose and by hand, daily. Also, the water hoses had to be drained and brought into the house to prevent freezing during the winter.
Stalls, barn and other parts of the Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. facility are lighted and visible from the Griffin residence. The new lighting is a significant improvement for the health and safety of the animals and those caring for them.
Photo courtesy of Christine Griffin
The additional lighting at the hay barn, offices, stalls, pastures and outbuildings allow the rescue and the volunteers to see what they are doing at night. Shorter winter days made the chore of feeding and watering over 30 horses and donkeys a tough task in low lighting. Now, they can see better and have less chance of tripping or falling. Also, it’s easier to see if an animal is injured, not eating or needs attention.
The hay barn and shed are illuminated by the new lights installed by the Home Depot staffers and Equine WellBeing Rescue staff and volunteers.
Photo courtesy of Christine Griffin
Project day prep work
Friday, Nov. 13, Equine WellBeing Rescue Inc. founder and president, Christine Griffin and her husband, Larry (co-founder), were ready for Team Depot.
Larry Griffin had already dug the trenches where the electric and water lines would run. In fact, the Griffins completed a long list of prep work before Team Depot arrived.
“It took an entire day to get all the trenching done for the electric to be brought from the Griffin’s house out to the buildings and pastures,” said Christine Griffin. “The job was made easier with the Ditch Witch that Show Low Home Depot allowed us to use.”
Horse’n around is hard work!
Team Depot showed up with nine people and there were 14 community members and EqWBR volunteers on site to help.
Conduit was buried to run the electrical lines, water line/pipe was laid and water hydrants and posts were installed in all the right places. Rocks were hauled, lighting fixtures were hung, fuse boxes were installed and re-connected to a larger fuse box at the barn.
“We got it done pretty quick and I think we knocked it out of the park,” said Moreno.
All of the steps had to be checked and re-checked before the final phase of the project took place — and the switches turned on.
“There were so many people working together. It was a lot of fun and the results are amazing!” said Christine Griffin. “With all the phenomenal help were were done early and all enjoyed a lunch provided by Beth Williams Realty Executives of the White Mountains.”
“The most frequent comment I heard was how much fun everyone had even though we were working,” said Griffin. “I have to say that the Home Depot staff were the most courteous and friendly and a pleasure to work beside.”
When all was said and done, Team Depot and the volunteers at Equine WellBeing Rescue “knocked it out of the pasture!”
