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."
