The Carney's Receive The First Animal Fairy

Animal Fairy Charities, Inc honors the Carney's by presenting them with the first Animal Fairy.

Couple opens home for injured horses
November 22, 2007
By MARCIA SAGENDORPH Staff WriterWhen 41 injured horses needed to find a new home, Fred and Vicky Carney of Wadsworth came to their rescue. The Carneys were recognized for their efforts with the first Animal Fairy Sculpture.
The Carneys have been caring for the horses that survived an accident that killed 18 of the 59 Belgian horses that had been packed into a double-decker truck. The truck was involved in an rollover accident on Route 41 and Wadsworth Road three weeks ago.
After local rescue personnel, veterinarians and horse lovers rescued the surviving horses, they were taken to the Carneys.
"We are one of the few places around that had enough room to take them in," said Vicky Carney. "My husband Fred is the horse expert."
She met her husband 34 years ago on a trail ride. They currently have about 30 horses of their own, Carney said, but didn't hesitate to take in 41 more.
"We just did what was needed," she said.
Others see the response as heroic. Debra Lopez and friend Lori Charney, both of Franklin, Wis., presented Carney with an original pewter ornament called the Animal Fairy.
"The animal fairy sculpture symbolizes the guardian of all animals, and is similar to the concept of the tooth fairy," said Lopez. "It honors people who love animals."
The Animal Fairy is said to roam the earth looking for helpers to care for animals. Lopez said the Carneys exemplified the spirit of the sculpture. The sculpture was created by artist John Riechart.
"Who better to give the first one to than these people?" Lopez asked.
She and Charney presented the Animal Fairy sculpture to Vicky Carney and friends on Saturday.
"It's a gift to them," Lopez said. "They took such great care of the horses. That is what the Animal Fairy is all about. It is an acknowledgment of what they have done for the animals."
Proceeds from the Animal Fairy Sculptures (www.animalfairycharities.org) help fund other animal rescues.
"As unfortunate as it was, the accident shed light on these terrible conditions that horses are transported in," Lopez said. "The Carneys were very hands-on with the horses. Anybody who knows about this accident believes they are great people."
The horses are in the process of being adopted by Lake County residents who helped rescue them.
On Saturday, Laura Wandt of the Crossroads Horse Center in Wadsworth was adopting a young black horse with a three-inch gash on its cheek and scrapes on its legs. Also, Jane Miller of Oakbrook was adopting a larger horse.
"I've always wanted a horse of my own," said Wandt. "Fred does a phenomenal job with these animals. His willingness to take in all of these horses is amazing."
Vickie Wancho of Lindenhurst has been nurturing the horses back to health.
"I'm glad they are getting adopted," she said. "It shows how everyone can come together. It's been rewarding. The first day we had to put down three horses because of their injuries. Now, the remaining horses are active and jumping around and playing. It shows how they are improving."

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Paying Tribute To Vonda Sines

What can I say about Vonda? She is a true "Fan of Barbaro". Vonda has helped campaign to end the slaughter of our American horses and contributed to our efforts in a huge way. In her own words, Vonda writes...

I’d have a lot to thank Barbaro for if I could talk to him right now.

While I knew a little about horses, I had not followed thoroughbred racing for years when he was injured in the 2006 Preakness.

There was something riveting and compelling about the big bay colt with the intelligent eyes. After following the story of his catastrophic injury for a few days, I decided to submit a short piece to Associated Content about Barbaro as a hero. I also saw a connection between our country’s need for heroes following the events of 9/11 and this magnificent horse who just refused to give up.

The article was quickly accepted. I wrote a lot about horses over the next year. I would want to thank Barbaro, certainly not for being injured, but for the amazing courage and tenacity to survive that he displayed for eight months. I know the horse motivated us to overcome our own respective human obstacles. The popularity of that first article and those that followed encouraged me to get away from the writing I typically did for a living and to write about things that really make a different in people’s lives. I will forever be grateful.

We cannot guarantee that no horse will ever be injured again on a racetrack. However, we can work to stop the slaughter of these innocent animals for human consumption abroad and to make sure the tracks on which they compete are safer than in past years. We can help horses who are homeless find a place where they are loved. We can help meet the medical needs of those who are sick or injured. This is Barbaro’s legacy.

My only regret is never having met Roy and Gretchen Jackson. I would like to thank them in person for giving Barbaro the chance to live and for making his short life so accessible to his thousands of fans.

Vonda Sines

Shelley Abrams from Pennsylvania
pictured with "What's Your Wish" who was
recently saved from Slaughter.

My good friend Shelley Abrams from Pennsylvania is nothing less than extraordinary. As you continue reading, you’ll understand why I admire her and why I am so proud to call her my friend.

Shelley is a true animal lover through and through. Her animal family consists of her dog “Buddy”, her recently rescued barn cat “Batman” and her recently departed cat “Thunder”. She also owns three thoroughbreds under her Smarty’s Gift Stables; Ironclad Alibi, Bright Nickel and the famous “Mr. Boxcar” all stabled at Philly Park . Her two retired thoroughbreds, I'ma Wild One and My Jester Girl now have wonderful new forever homes.

I have met many animal lovers in my lifetime and have had my own love affair with thoroughbreds yet, I have never witnessed such uncontested love of thoroughbreds like I have with Shelley. She talks horses 24/7 and will tell you it all began with Smarty Jones, the 130th Kentucky Derby winner.

When I became acquainted with Shelley, she was campaigning like so many of us lending a voice to help end the brutal slaughter of our American horses for human consumption overseas. I was moved by her will to succeed and her relentless spirit to make a difference. Her passion has led her all the way to Washington DC and today has transpired into leading her own crusade to help save our American horses from slaughter.

While campaigning to end horse slaughter, the need to do more preoccupied her. She launched her own program called Horses Helping Horses in which Smarty’s Gift Stables donates a percentage of any winning purse to rescue a horse from slaughter. So far, Mr. Boxcar's earnings have helped to rescue four horses (Nickname, Dixie Rap, Quality and the latest, What's Your Wish, a stakes winner who earned over $245,000 in his own career and ended up in the hands of a killer buyer

For those of you who don’t know, many thoroughbreds at race tracks across the country are being sent to auction once their racing careers are over. Some of these thoroughbreds end up being placed in good homes, some are rescued but many of them end up being slaughtered. True to her passion, Shelley is working very hard to help place thoroughbreds from Philadelphia Park whose racing careers are over. Recently, Mr. Merenda, was a recipient of Horses Helping Horses when her program paid for his transport from the track to a safe new home. This new program will be created with the hope that it will inspire other horseracing tracks across the country to do the same.

So, here’s to you Shelley… You are a true inspiration. And as we journey through life, we may never know when we’ve just encountered greatness, witnessed a miracle, or stumble upon a brilliant spirit at work. Most, will miss this part about people. I’m one of the lucky ones.

To learn more about Shelley Abrams and all the work she is doing for our horses, you can log onto www.smartysgift.com