Medical bills soar for special horse who has a love for special-needs children
Sadie the therapy horse has been instrumental in the well-being of so many in the Clark County community, welcoming guests at Healing Winds Therapeutic Riding Center for more than 12 years.
Now, she could use a little help from the community.
Sadie has been in what could be described as the intensive care unit at a veterinary hospital at Oregon State University, recovering from abdominal surgery and fighting for her life after a bout with colic.
Healing Winds is hoping Sadie will be home in a few days, but a hefty medical bill, likely more than $16,000, will also be coming to the Hockinson barn. A fundraiser has been set up on Facebook.
“This horse is just very special to me,” said Nancy Elder, owner of Healing Winds. “She’s just a diva. She thinks she is better than everybody else. She’s just a great mare. She loves everybody. She loves special-needs. She’s just one of my heart horses.”
Elder founded Healing Winds in 1989. Her daughter Brenda joined her mother in 1995 and is now the director of operations.
The center works with anyone, all ages. From special-needs children and adults to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder, and survivors of abuse.
“Horses don’t talk back. They hold no judgement,” Brenda Elder said. “They’re like, ‘Hey, how are you doing?’”
On Thursday, Robin Van Houten brought her daughter Emily and son Eli to ride. Emily has special needs. Eli does not. Robin said riding horses brings brother and sister closer together.
Emily needed her time with the horses even more in the past year. Because she has epilepsy, she cannot do online programming.
“Her calendar is circled and colored,” Robin said. “We count every night to see how many days until we ride again.”
The horses provide therapeutic and physical therapy.
Sometimes, the horses don’t even have to have riders to do their job. Also on Thursday, another family was there not to ride, but to pet the animals and feed them snacks.
Healing Winds has seven horses, including two miniature horses, as well as chickens, goats, and other creatures that just want to improve the lives of the humans who visit them.
The horses, though, take center stage at the riding center, located at 12414 NE 212th Ave., in Brush Prairie.
“I know what horses did for me when I was growing up,” Nancy Elder said. “So I just want to share that with everybody else.”
Sadie’s Fundraiser on Facebook notes:
“We have set up this fundraiser in hopes to help pay for surgery and rehabilitation so we can get her back to doing what she loves.”
That would be helping autistic children and adults cope, or helping veterans with PTSD, or helping all who suffer with depression or anxiety.
“She is a wonderful part of our family,” the post reads.
To donate, go to: https://www.facebook.com/donate/260756522303137/
