Spouses club sponsors local horse

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Katherine Windish
  • 31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  The Aviano Officer and Civilian Spouses Club are now the sponsors of Baby, a local horse that is recovering from abuse and maltreatment.

Baby is one of 17 rescued horses at Zedan's Ranch and EZ's Place horse shelter in Montereale, Italy. Before the 28-year-old horse was brought to the shelter in March 2009, she was housed in a pasture of knee-deep mud with minimal shelter, food or water for two years. Rather than allow her to be sold for food, local villagers raised money to buy Baby from her owner and brought her to the shelter.

Since her rescue, Baby's health and spirits have improved, but she is still suffering from being mistreated and from the effects of having been exposed to harsh weather elements for too long, according to Evelyne Zedan, EZ's Place horse shelter president and Zedan's Ranch owner.

"When she was first brought here, Baby was very shy and incredibly sensitive," said Ms. Zedan. "Her feet are very tender and sensitive from being exposed to harsh conditions and she has arthritis problems caused by her old age and the cold weather. Her spirits are getting better but extensive therapy and veterinary care is needed to make her physically better."

The shelter is not funded by the Italian government and relies solely on profits made from the ranch, charitable donations and volunteers. Hearing the AOCSC makes charitable donations to base and local communities, Ms. Zedan applied to them for funding.

"I wasn't expecting to hear a response, it was one of those 'the worst they can say is no' situations," she said. "I was so happy when they responded that they would sponsor Baby for a whole year. With 17 shelter horses to feed and get veterinary care for, it gets costly. This will make a big difference."

Since 1995, EZ's Place has been the only horse shelter in Italy helping rehabilitate abused and disabled horses. In addition, the horses provide assistance to disabled people through pet therapy. With the pet therapy offered at the shelter, Ms. Zedan finds that she can help horses and people at the same time.

"Sometimes an abused horse can be very shy around people," Ms. Zedan said. "Sometimes, they find it easier to connect with a person who is disabled as well. Both the horse and person feel a companionship for one another."

While the AOCSC receives many requests for funds every year, the members voted for this particular charity because this was a way to provide assistance to an animal and the people who will benefit from it.

"This is a way to 'pay it forward,'" said Yvette Roberts, AOCSC president. "It has two-fold benefits in the community. It was a great opportunity to help out."

In addition to the AOCSC donating funds, many Aviano Airmen and family members also volunteer their time to work at the shelter to help Ms. Zedan feed and exercise the horses, as well as clean the stables.