Ben the horse finds a home

 

“Thank you Heavenly Gaits for the opportunity to make one of my dreams come true.”

That’s what Ashten Lewis had to say after she decided she wanted to adopt Ben the horse, a post on the Heavenly Gaits’ Facebook page said.

“We here at Heavenly Gaits, are absolutely delighted to let everybody know that Be A Knight, also known as Ben, is now residing at his new home not too far from us.”

“Ashten came and visited him … took him for a ride … and fell in love.”

“They are a perfect match and we pray they ride many happy trails together,” the post continued.

 

Raising funds

Meanwhile, Heavenly Gaits will hold a Nite at the Races fundraiser at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 9, at Reminisce Banquet Hall, 340 Ferree Road in Emlenton.

“Last year was a huge success and great time,” Heavenly Gaits executive director and founder Monique Nellis said.

Tickets can be bought at the door, but horses have to be sold in advance. Advanced tickets can be purchased at Rhea’s Building Supply in Knox, Wild West Tack on the Clarion River Hill and through Staci at the Medicine Shop in Clarion.

Interested persons can message Nellis through the group’s Facebook page if they would like to purchase a horse, sponsor a race or donate a raffle item.

“It really is a fun time, but it is limited to those 21 yrs. and over. If you are coming with a group and would like to reserve a table, let me know and I will put your name on it,” Nellis said.

Tables accommodate eight to 10 race fans.

“We need ALL the help we can get catching up on some excavation expenses, providing scholarships and covering our equine care for the year,” Nellis added.

 

Seeking Silver Saddles participants

Heavenly Gaits Therapeutic Riding Center in Ninevah will be offering its Silver Saddles program beginning Wednesday, April 13.

The Silver Saddles program is for able bodied men and women 55-years-old and older with age-related disabilities. The program gives first-time and returning riders a chance to ride in a relaxed atmosphere, according to Nellis.

The six-week program consists of 45-minute lessons that will include, grooming, tacking, stretching and riding skills.

Interested persons should check with their physicians before beginning the program. A physician release form is available at www.heavenlygaits.weebly.com.

First-time riders will need to complete and submit rider registration forms also located on the website. The first sessions will begin Wednesday, April 13, and will be held once a week through Wednesday, May 18.  Lesson times available are from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from noon to 1 p.m.
The fee for each 45-minute lesson is $25. Space is limited. More information is available and lessons can be scheduled by calling (814) 221-1690.

Heavenly Gaits is located at 2059 Ninevah Road in Knox.

 

Get involved

A post on the Precious Paws Animal Rescues Facebook page reminds everybody that they can help animals:

“Everyone can do something!! You want to help animals in your community — consider Fostering. Can’t foster? How about helping to transport animals to and from vet appointments? Like paperwork or administration? — website updates, newsletters, grant writing, writing thank you notes, soliciting donations, organizing and filing – all organizations need that kind of help. Special skills, like training, photography, writing or grooming? How about taking one of our dogs or cats and making them beautiful or better behaved so they can find their forever homes? Can you donate a used dog or cat crate? A bed your dog has outgrown? Can you post a donation box in the lobby of your work? Search flea market sites for good deals for us? ALL of us can do SOMETHING…and ALL of it MATTERS!!!”

More information can be found on Precious Paws Animal Rescue Facebook page or by calling (814) 671-9827.

 

Calling all Clarion County volunteers

Meanwhile, volunteers in the Clarion County area can help out Clarion PUPs. The group is looking for transporters and and a kennel manager.

The group has also started a new Clarion PUPS Dog Park Facebook page to help keep track of events.

More information about Clarion PUPS is available on its Facebook page, website clarionpups.org, by calling (814) 764-5580 or emailing clarionpups@gmail.com.

 

Dog warden to canvass parts of region

During the month of April, dog wardens will canvass homes in Armstrong, Clarion, Forest and Jefferson Counties, to make sure all dog owners have current licenses and rabies vaccinations for their dogs.

Counties include:

Armstrong County — week of April 4
Forest County — week of April 11
Jefferson County — week of April 25
Clarion County — week of April 25

 

Rabies clinics planned

CLARION — A rabies clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 9, at the Clarion Mall.  The cost for the rabies shot costs $10 per animal. Clarion treasurer Thomas McConnell will be on hand for people to purchase dog licenses ranging from $6.50 to $8.50.

COOPERSTOWN — The Cooperstown Volunteer Fire Department will host a rabies clinic from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9. Rabies shots will cost $15. Vaccines for Lyme disease, kennel cough, distemper and feline leukemia will be offered. Dog licenses will also be available.

 

Spots available

According to the Clarion PAWS Facebook page the rescue still has spots available for its Sunday, April 10, spay and neuter clinic. Females are $65 and males are $45. Cats not only have their surgery but also receive a rabies vaccine, flea treatment and ear mite treatment (if needed), PAWS said.

Interested persons can message PAWS through Facebook or call the shelter at (814) 229-1231 for an appointment.

 

Taking precautions

On Thursday, March 31, Tri-County Animal Rescue in Shippenville reported via its Facebook page that the shelter has had two dogs develop kennel cough.

“So, as a precaution and under the advice of our veterinarians, we are closing our kennel for 10 days. The dogs cannot have visitors, we will not take new dogs in or let any current dogs leave for those 10 days,” the post said.

The shelter said the dogs are doing well with “only a couple are coughing and will receive medication if needed.”

The shelter said it will be back to regular intake and adoptions as soon as the quarantine period is over which is scheduled to be Friday, April 8.

The shelter will accept applications for adoption, but visitors/potential adopters will have to wait until the quarantine is over to meet or take dogs home.

More information is available by calling (814) 918-2032 or emailing contactus@tricounty-arc.org.

 

Into the wild

Skye’s Spirit Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, located at 889 Farren Surrena Road, Harrisville, will hold its annual wildlife baby shower from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 14.

“This is a fun event to benefit the wildlife and to help us raise the funds for a wildlife learning classroom here at the center. Visit with some of our educational wildlife and view some of the baby wildlife in care via remote camera. There will be a Chinese auction and various vendors,” organizers said.

More information is available online at www.skyes-spirit.com; by calling (814) 786-9677 or on the center’s Facebook page.

 

Dogs for Dogs event is April 16

A Dogs for Dogs event will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 16, at the Venango County Humane Society in Seneca.

The event is sponsored by the Veterans Club of Venango College and The Medical Imaging Club. Those attending can take an item on the donation list and receive a free hot dog and other goodies.

The donation list includes:

• Wal-Mart gift cards for purchase of items as needed
• Towels and blankets
• Plastic toys and treats
• Paper towels, bleach or laundry detergent
• Tall kitchen and 33 gallon garbage bags
• Collars or leashes of all sizes
• Non-clumping cat litter

You’ll love Lizzy

Lizzy, a lab retriever mix, is a 4-year-old spayed female. Her sleek black coat has some brown mixed in. She has a white blaze on her chest and dark brown eyes. Lizzy is a lively girl who’ll need daily exercise, preferably a long walk on leash and fetching games in the back yard. Lizzy should never be tied outside for extended periods of time. She’s a sociable, house trained girl who will do best if she lives inside with her family. If you’re an outdoor kind of person who thrives on athletic activities, you’re going to love Lizzy at the Venango County Humane Society, open noon till  5 p.m., Mondays through Saturdays. All animals adopted from the shelter are already spayed or neutered, which the law requires adopters have done upon adoption.

Love her to the moon and back

Moonbeam, a domestic medium hair, is a year old spayed female. She has a soft gray coat with white on the neck and a solid black tail. Moonbeam is a gentle girl who’ll need time to get to know you. If you’re patient, she’ll relax and enjoy your company and attention. Moonbeam will have a calming effect on the lucky person who adopts her from the Venango County Humane. All animals adopted from the shelter are already spayed or neutered, which the law requires you to have done upon adoption.

More information on the humane society is available by calling (814) 677-4040 or online at venangocountyhumanesociety.org.

 

(All About Animals is a weekly blog that appears on VenangoExtra.com and ClarionExtra.com. Interested persons or groups can submit information to bigdogs.thederrick@gmail.com. More information about the blog is available by contacting Anna Applegate at (814) 677-8364.)