June was a remarkably successful Bucket Fund for Kate – and her neighbor, as it turned out!
THE BUCKET RUNNETH OVER!
When I called Peterson & Smith, the equine hospital and vets who are taking care of Kate, and told them that we would be responsible for Kate’s medical fees up to that amount – they told me that Kate was doing much better than anticipated and the total amount due for Kate’s treatment WAS WAY BELOW the ballpark mentioned initially.
Wow! Peterson & Smith had known from the beginning that we would be helping and had been very good at the bookkeeping. So, as of June 30, Kate’s veterinarian bills have been paid in full. (No one was sure if Kate would need any ongoing care or vet checkups… they were playing it by ear.)
Hmmmmm…. Well… could we also help the next door neighbor who lost his horse, I asked? Did they know the Hoogerhydes? Were they also clients of Peterson & Smith?
They said, Sure! The Hoogerhydes were clients and they would be happy to put me in touch with them!
Our receipt for the initial hospital stay for Kate. When this was paid, Kate had gone home.
This was the final payment made by The Horse and Man Group on June 30th to cover all of Kate’s medical expenses after she had left the equine hospital – This amount was for a vet visit.
THE HOOGERHYDES
Through Peterson & Smith, I was able to contact John and Shandy Hoogerhyde who were beyond delighted to have us help with their vet bills for the horse they lost, Jolean, and the horse they brought in ‘just in case’, Athena.
I asked how much they had to pay for Jolean to be removed from the premises. With a heavy sigh, she informed me that they were charged $100 for the rendering. I said we would cover that, too.
Shandy Hoogerhyde cried. Literally.
They are not people of means and although they had paid off their hospital bill (which we paid the hospital and the hospital will reimburse the Hoogerhydes), it had been a huge financial burden – besides losing their beloved mare.
I told them that people across the nation had them in their hearts and that we all could sympathize with their horrid loss.
THIS is what the Bucket Fund is all about.
I wanted you all to know how YOU made the Hoogerhyde’s day, week, month… they were thrilled to have help.
This was for Athena, the Hoogerhyde’s other horse who survived but needed to be observed.
This is the rendering fee for Jolean, the horse who didn’t survive. I wanted to take that cost away from the Hoogerhydes… losing a horse was bad enough.
UPDATE ON KATE
Kate is doing very well!
Here is a photo of Kate from June 29 at a Fund Raising Poker Ride for her. She looks fantastic, eh?!
Of course, from the front, you can see her abscesses, but they are draining and the mare is on the mend!
Here is Kate on June 29th at a benefit poker ride for her medical expenses. She looks great!
EXCESS FUNDS!
After paying off all of Kate’s hospital and vet fees, and paying the Hoogerhyde’s vet bill and rendering fee, we still had a $1000 excess in the Bucket Fund.
I decided to contact the single donor who donated $2000 towards Kate’s medical expenses. I figured we hadn’t spend half of their donation and I wanted to know how they would like to proceed.
They told me about their other favorite animal welfare group, K9s for Warriors. She was so emotional and passionate about this cause, I knew we had to donate the extra $1000 there.
So, I did!
I will be telling you all about K9 for Warriors in my next post. Very impressive!
Our receipt for the donation to K9 for Warriors which was the wish from the donor who had donated the excess funds for Kate.
Click to go to site…
MG was strong enough to have his feet done! I heard he was a perfect gentleman! Please read his story here and donate if you can! Thank you!
OUR BUCKET FUND horse, MG, is doing a bit better – this looks pretty good! He’s coming back to life! Any donations greatly appreciated to help this guy fill out and get his life back! Click here:
This came up in my newsfeed memories today on Facebook and I was wondering if there was ever a final update on how Kate’s recovery went as well as the neighbors horse and if they caught the person(s) responsible for this? I’ve tried to find out, but didn’t know if there was a different link or article listed. I’d appreciate learning if there was some justice done for the horses. Thank you.
Did they ever find out WHO did this to the Mares? I am glad for the update, and to hear Kate is doing well.