Hurricane Harvey is one of the worst natural disasters to ever hit our Country. And some are saying it is the worst flooding in the history of Texas. Homes, businesses, schools, crops and animals have been submerged in water for days and we’re hearing that it’s going to take a while for the water to recede. The damages are reaching the $10 billion dollar mark. It’s practically mind-blowing what has happened there over the last couple of weeks.
It’s like a friend was saying to me, “You can’t grasp it unless you’re in it. Unless you are actually there in it and can see for yourself do you believe that water is chest deep for a 6′ man.” It breaks my heart to hear the news and watch the endless cycle of devastating pictures on the news stations.
Heroes are often born from times of devastation–times when things are chaotic, when people and animals can’t help themselves–heroes emerge and help those who can’t do for themselves.
We get to see some of these heroes thrown into that cycle of images from the storm and flood devastation. But most heroes that emerge from these kinds of times are never seen or talked about. They go about doing what they have to do and seek no recognition or acknowledgement. I guess that is part of what makes them a hero, right? They just do it. Simply because someone else can’t do for themselves.
One such unsung hero is Amy Whitaker. Amy owns and operates New Caney Equine Rehabilitation Center and Transport (New Caney Equine Rehabilitation Center and Transport).
They specialize in rehabilitating horses with Body Condition Scores (BCS) of 2 and under. In other words, they work with very sick, emaciated horses and rehabilitate them. From the “about” section on their Facebook page (link above): “We save neglected and abused horses in need by rehabilitating, training, and placing them in a lifelong home. Every horse we rescue receives medical attention to address all immediate physical needs, and ongoing veterinary and farrier care thereafter. We create a tailored training program to help each horse realize their full potential and to address scars that cruelty or neglect has left on their lives. Our team rides each horse extensively in a variety of situations to help our horses become de-sensitized, confident and happy trail horses. Many of our horses are also started on obstacles and several have been competed on. The ultimate goal is to find a lifelong home that is a perfect fit for each horse and their adoptive family. To date we have had more than 80 horses grace our gates.”
You may be asking yourself, “Where do that many sick horses come from?” I had that question too. She works closely with Law Enforcement who will call Amy when they go to rescue a neglected/abused horse. She also picks them up at auction barns and she receives some through owner surrenders. If that were all Amy did, it would be enough to make her a hero. But that’s not all she does. She does much more.
Amy Whitaker is an unsung horse hero of Hurricane Harvey.
On the Wednesday before Hurricane Harvey rains, Amy had 18 horses at the Center. By the following Monday, she had over 40. She started getting more on Thursday and she has continued to get them over the last few days. Horses that couldn’t stay where they were due to flooding, horses that needed rescuing from flooded areas, horses that needed somebody to come through for them were picked up by Amy or delivered to Amy for care during this terrible, terrible time in Texas.
You may not see Amy Whitaker’s efforts on the news. You may not hear her talked about in the horse world. But, you better believe those horses know. They know who she is and they what she has done.
And God knows too.
And I truly believe that God will bless Amy for the love she shows His creatures.
Blessings!
Charity