A Major Disappointment for Veterans Legacy
It is with great sadness that the Board of Directors of Veterans Legacy needed to make major decisions as to the ultimate use and plan for the draft horse team, Penny and Pearl, that was gifted to the organization by Dr. John LeBow. While a major goal of Veterans Legacy for a number of years, with the hope of a variety of possible uses on a small-scale including farming at Camp Alma, public events, military funerals etc., several personnel and logistical issues were recognized that needed to be addressed promptly.
Despite diligent efforts by Dr. LeBow in pursuing some of the potential use ideas, it became apparent that either there would be very sporadic use of the horses for the specific need or, in the case of parades or other public performance endeavors, the liability insurance to do this was prohibitive. In short, draft horses need a job to remain in optimal training status and none could be identified.
This was compounded by two other factors that did not have immediate or long-term answers. First, given the financial needs to continue to ramp up services for Veterans at Camp Alma, funding for a barn complex was not seen to be feasible for at least the next 3-5 years. Secondly, the fact that there was no one in the organization capable of handling the horses other than Dr. LeBow was of major concern to the Board, a concern that he totally concurred with. Qualified teamsters are very difficult to find and this would obviously also necessitate compensation that, at present, the Board believes needs to be devoted to mental health services for Resident Veterans at Camp Alma. The Board agreed unanimously that decision making should be guided by doing the best thing for the horses.
With Dr. LeBow’s advice and active involvement by Walt Bernard of Dorena Lake, the Board is thrilled to report that Penny and Pearl have been sold to Robyn and Haze Willoughby in Alvadore to be used on their Christmas Tree farm. The fact that the girls will be staying local is a major plus. The Willoughby’s are looking forward to developing a relationship with Veterans Legacy which the Board welcomes as well.
Despite diligent efforts by Dr. LeBow in pursuing some of the potential use ideas, it became apparent that either there would be very sporadic use of the horses for the specific need or, in the case of parades or other public performance endeavors, the liability insurance to do this was prohibitive. In short, draft horses need a job to remain in optimal training status and none could be identified.
This was compounded by two other factors that did not have immediate or long-term answers. First, given the financial needs to continue to ramp up services for Veterans at Camp Alma, funding for a barn complex was not seen to be feasible for at least the next 3-5 years. Secondly, the fact that there was no one in the organization capable of handling the horses other than Dr. LeBow was of major concern to the Board, a concern that he totally concurred with. Qualified teamsters are very difficult to find and this would obviously also necessitate compensation that, at present, the Board believes needs to be devoted to mental health services for Resident Veterans at Camp Alma. The Board agreed unanimously that decision making should be guided by doing the best thing for the horses.
With Dr. LeBow’s advice and active involvement by Walt Bernard of Dorena Lake, the Board is thrilled to report that Penny and Pearl have been sold to Robyn and Haze Willoughby in Alvadore to be used on their Christmas Tree farm. The fact that the girls will be staying local is a major plus. The Willoughby’s are looking forward to developing a relationship with Veterans Legacy which the Board welcomes as well.
Veterans Legacy Board of Directors
