"Molly, the Three-Legged Pony Who Gave Hope to New Orleans" The subjects of this story about a special Hurricane Katrina survivor went viral on the Internet, landed in the New York Times, and were featured on CBS Evening News.

Kaye T. Harris worked tirelessly to rescue animals with MuttShack Animal Triage Center in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. She rescued a pony named Molly who had survived the storms and having a tree fall into her stall. After Kaye brought Molly to her ranch where she raises ponies, in a freak accident, a rescued dog chewed off Molly's leg. With her loss of a leg, surgery, and prosthetic device, Molly inspired the people of New Orleans and admirers around the world. Now Molly and Kaye visit children's hospitals, nursing homes, and other places that invite them to spread their message of hope. www.mollythepony.com

Miles J. Dean and Sankofa

Karen Sussman, "Diana: The Saga of a Wild Horse." Karen rescued Diana and her rare Gila, Arizona herd of wild horses. Diana was lead mare and protected her herd, teaching the great lesson of forgiveness. Karen documents the wild herds that were facing elimination until she brought them to a ranch, in the Badlands, on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.

Karen Sussman is president of the International Society for the Protection of Mustangs and Burros (ISPMB, www.ispmb.org) and a leading authority and advocate for the preservation of wild horses. Her goal is to bring the conservation model she is developing on the acreage where her four wild herds run to other areas of the country and to develop ecotourism nationally and worldwide.

Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsuFCclui-8 to view Wild West Mustang -- USA.

Sally Heins's Riley
Photo by ( Gary Alan Kalpakoff, www.garyalankalpakoff.com.
All Rights Reserved.

Michael Mountain, past president of Best Friends, said about this book, "Through their courage, sensitivity, kindness, and so many other characteristics, the horses in this book become our inspiration and guides. I was especially taken with the way each story gives us something to reflect on in our own lives. And each chapter ends with an invitation to follow up on what we've just felt and experienced, a way to experience quiet time with these magical beings."

Tanya K. Welsch, “Viola, Wise Mother Mare.” A Norwegian Fjord horse and draft pony named Viola was imported from Norway to become a broodmare in upstate New York. Viola eventually made her way to Tanya Welsch and MN LINC (Minnesota Linking Individuals, Nature, and Critters). At MN LINC Viola put her mothering skills to excellent use as a co-therapist in the animal-and-nature-facilitated psychotherapy, learning, and wellness program for youth and families. With her innate maternal wisdom, Viola is incredibly intuitive and nurturing, especially with at-risk youth. This story focuses on how Viola helped to heal a teenager named Amy to become more centered and independent. www.mnlinc.org

Tanya is a licensed social worker and co-founder of nonprofit MN LINC (Minnesota Linking Individuals, Nature, & Critters, Inc.), which incorporates the human-animal-nature bond in work with youth, families, and human services agencies. Tanya teaches animal-assisted therapy and education and is a Delta Society Pet Partners team evaluatuator and board member of Equine Facilitated Mental Health Association. She often writes for the Star Tribune.

View "Partners in Building Trust", produced by Vickie Kettlewell and Vanessa House
www.startribune.com/video/11534361.html?elr=KArks:DCiUBDia_nDaycUiacyKUU

Vanessa Wright's Pegasus

"Old Pony Peanut Finds and Old Friend" An elderly and forgetful horse, who had been the favorite playmate of Cooky McClung's children, lost his youth and usefulness until he connected with a kindred human counterpart and brought joy and conversation to both their final days.

Cooky is a well known equestrian journalist and author who has covered national and international equestrian competitions for half a decade.

She currently writes for Phelps-SportsNetwork based in Wellington, Florida. Mason Phelps, Jr., president, PhelpsSports.com, has endorsed the book by saying, "Horses with a Mission allows us to travel into the world of the horse from so many unique perspectives and introduces horses that have touched and changed the lives of many people. To have our own writer, Cooky McClung, featured in this wonderful work makes it all the more fun. It's a fabulous read."

Representatives of PhelpsSports.com have been credentialed for top international events around the world including the World Cup Finals for dressage and show jumping, and all three equestrian sports at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Annette's Rocky