Lorrie and Daisy

Imagine scanning through your Instagram feed and seeing your horse—your Daisy—from years past is up for adoption! That is Lorrie Bohm’s story.

Lorrie and Daisy’s story starts when Lorrie was a student at Cazenovia College. As part of her classwork, she came to Sunshine (then at the Fairgrounds) to volunteer for a summer research class. There she met Daisy and immediately fell in love with her. When the horses had to move out for the racehorses, Lorrie volunteered to care for Daisy and then adopted her. Lorrie and Daisy were partners for seven years. Pregnant and in nursing school, Lorrie saw that Daisy was getting “fat and sassy.” She made the hard decision to return Daisy to Sunshine Horses. Speaking with Lorrie, she noted that although the decision may have been best for Daisy, it was devastating to her.

Daisy was adopted and found a new home until her owner’s job would take her away from home for long periods of time. Once again, Daisy returned to Sunshine. When Daisy popped up on Lorrie’s Instagram feed, it was hard to believe what she was seeing. The reunion was nothing short of a happy ending. “We knew that when she saw her, she was probably going to take her,” said Beth Smart, head of Sunshine’s Equine Care Committee. The connection between horse and rider had remained for all the years they were separated.

Now a (local) traveling nurse with her children in school, Lorrie would have the time for Daisy. “Because she’s the first horse I ever had to train, it’s really great to reunite with her,” said Lorrie. Lorrie’s smile was joyful as Daisy was loaded on the trailer for the ride home.

Robin and Charlie

Just a girl who loved a horse.
It began with volunteering. And then there was Charlie -  Charlestown Flash. When his racing time was up his owner entrusted him to Sunshine Horses with the hopes that he would find a good ‘after racing life’. He took a firm hold of my heart. He became the first at Mirob Stables, and in fact the barn was built for him. I am so grateful to Sunshine Horses for the passion they have in fulfilling their mission of helping horses, helping people. They gave me my Charlie and started me on the path of learning what these amazing animals are all about. Everyday brings new adventures that I wouldn’t change for anything. 

Hats off to Sunshine, the amazing volunteers, and of course, the horses.
Robin Young

Bill’s Story

The joy on my father’s face said it all. On a recent visit to Sunshine Horses, the instant connection between my 98 year-old father, Bill Raymond, and the beautiful dark bay Standardbred, Lorne, was so evident to me. The experience of simply stroking a horse’s neck can have a profound effect on a person’s mental and physical wellbeing. It works for my father every time!

A veteran of World War II, my father grew up on a military horse farm in Baldwinsville, NY, and has a lifelong love of all animals, but especially horses. At his advanced age, it’s not easy for him to get around or interact with horses any more. This is such a big loss for him. Imagine how grateful we are that Sunshine Horses gives my father a chance to safely recapture the magic of the human-horse connection.

This was our third visit to Sunshine, and I can honestly say that when we leave after visiting one of the horses, my father is just beaming, and the smile on his face lasts all day.
Teresa Melnick

                                       Heather’s Story
Twelve years ago my co-worker, friend more importantly, asked If I’d like to volunteer at a horse farm with her. Never having worked with horses or even on a farm before, my immediate response was “YES!”
The very next morning was a perfect spring day as we drove in her topless Jeep up the bumpy dirt road to Duck Flats Farm. I was filled with wonder as the barn revealed itself just beyond the rolling pastures. Looking back, I realize the universe gives us exactly what we need in times of doubt. As we were getting out of the Jeep two magnificent beings walked up to greet us. Pilgrim and Duffy were explained to me as worry-free wanderers and were my first loves at the barn. Their impact changed my perspective on everything. I was saved when Sunshine Horses became a part of my life. I often think to myself, these beautiful souls have given me more than I can ever repay. They have given me the gift of hope and optimism and I’m forever grateful as they allow me to walk beside them in their journey. The horses at Sunshine continue to show me how to trust, forgive, accept and live.

A couple years ago, a little 9 year old girl and her mother began their first shift at Sunshine. Addie loved animals but had no horse experience. She came each week and was funny, respectful, and willing. She wanted to learn as much as she could and never needed to be told twice how to do something - she picked it up like a pro.

As with many of our volunteers, Addie had her favorites. One in particular was Tito. Because of Tito’s significant treatments, he needed extra TLC on the morning and evening shifts. On our Thursday shifts, both Addie and her mom, Meghan, went down to the barn and completed his treatments but did so much more. They spent time making those connections. They both believed that Tito understood them, their pain, their joy, their feelings in general – and visa versa.

Addie and Tito

As days turned into weeks and then more than a year went by, Sunshine began preparing their hearts to say goodbye to Tito. It was heartbreaking for everyone and the sadness could be felt throughout the barn. While all of this was happening at Sunshine, Addie and her mother’s world were crumbling. Addie was to testify in court on the day of Tito’s passing. She and another volunteer had made a hoofprint keepsake and trimmed some of his mane several days before. On the day of his passing and her court date, this brave little girl was set with the armor that Tito had given to her. She carried it again with her another day to court and she proudly explained what and who it was.

Addie carries with her Tito’s strength and determination as well as her love of life! She is fun, caring, talented, and smart and when you look in her eyes, you see a bit of Tito shining through. Addie created the tribute video to Tito for herself but agreed to share it with everyone so they, too, can see Tito. Her mother felt the words from the song that she chose, “I met you in the dark, you lit me up - you made me feel as though I was enough”, say it all.

Jean and Doyle
(interview on 12/4/22)
When I asked Jean how she came to volunteer at Sunshine Horses, she said, “It’s a cute little story.” In 2014, Jean Deep retired after driving a school bus for 27 years. Within several months, Jean found her idleness to be ridiculous. “I needed a purpose,”. One day after mass, Jean expressed her desire to work with animals to another hospitality minister, but she was afraid of the emotional investment working in a shelter. “Kathleen said to me, well, why don’t you do what I do? I work and train horses at a rescue horse barn.” Jean had found her next adventure. That’s how it started—with an invitation from another volunteer at Sunshine and she’s been in love with the place ever since.
Having horses in her life since childhood, she referred to them as “my spiritual beings.” In describing what she meant, she said, “Well, I feel animals are (spiritual beings) because they give unconditional love. And they only see the good in you and they’re willing to give their all in return. To me, that’s the most perfect love and it represents spiritual wealth.
Jean’s spiritual connection with Doyle started from the first day she entered Sunshine’s barn. “Every time I walked by his stall, he would put his head out as if to say come over and talk to me.” Strokes on the head became little nudges and the spiritual bond between Doyle and Jean began to grow. “Just talking with him created an immediate bonding. I knew this was a horse that I always wanted to be with.” Jean shared a story illustrating that bond. One day a rake scraped against the wall and frightened Doyle. He stepped back from her and put his head on her shoulder. “That’s when I knew we had a connection and it’s been growing ever since.” Just listening to Jean tell her story you could hear the delight and love for Doyle (and all Sunshine’s horses) in her voice. Even as she struggled with her health the past few months, Doyle would be the one to knicker hello looking for his banana when she would visit the barn. “I love being the first one walking in that barn and just hearing them talk to you. It is so uplifting. It’s amazing what these horses do for the human spirit.”

Jean passed away three days after the interview for this story. When talking about Doyle, she spoke of the unbroken trust between the two of them. “He knows I will always protect him,” she said. Today, this writer is positive Doyle will hear her voice in the wind, lift his head and feel comforted—as she was always comforted in knowing he was there. “Without saying another word, he made my heart swell and I knew he still loved me and that gave me the sense I could do anything.” Doyle gave that to Jean and Jean to Doyle. Jean’s final request was that we use a picture that showed her and Doyle’s connection. “Take good care, Jean,” I said. Her reply, “All right, hugs. Bye bye.”