SAN MIGUEL, Calif.
-- Central Coast News believes to build a better community, you must invest in
it. That's why we created the "One Million Dollar Community Investment".
In the harsh economy,
many people abandon their horses and donkey because it just gets too expensive
to care for them.
"Heaven Can
Wait" Equine Sanctuary in San Miguel has worked to save these animals but is in
danger of closing down itself.
Susan Schwartz owns
Heaven Can Wait and says several horses that come into the sanctuary starving
usually nothing more than skin and bones.
Schwartz takes them in
gives them food, shelter and medical care.
But the neglected and
abandoned horses are not only saved from a horrible fate, they do the saving as
well.
For war veteran, Del
Flanagan they are a godsend.
He served in Somalia
and Desert Storm which left him with spinal injuries and post-traumatic stress
disorder.
"Before I came here, I
was pretty much bed-ridden," says Flanagan. "I didn't get out of the house and
now I'm starting to become more active."
Heaven Can Wait house 27 equines that can't be ridden
hard or fast but are perfect for therapy.
Schwartz uses these
horses to help people cope with mental disabilities and social problems.
But the sanctuary is
in danger of closing down.
Schwartz says she
needs more volunteers and money to pay for the cost of maintenance and keeping
the sanctuary open.
"A lot of repairs need to be made. Drains need to be
cleared up," says Schwartz."I'm only going to have food for another month. I
need a lot of help."
And without that help, Flanagan says he won't get the therapy he needs.
"It would
affect me greatly. There's nothing out here this type of therapy.I can't work
because my injuries are so bad. I come out here and hang out most of the
day,: says Flanagan. "It pretty much gives
me purpose."
Veterans can get
free and low-cost rides to the sanctuary through the "Ride On" program at www.ride-on.org.
To learn how you can
donate or volunteer, please visit www.heavencanwait.us.
