Dana Martin, a veterinarian science instructor, has been teaching Butler Tech High School students at the career school’s Natural Science Center in Monroe for 13 years, but she’s never heard of an abandoned horse wandering about the Butler County city, miniature or otherwise.
And though the center has a strict policy of not accepting any abandoned or donated animals, livestock or pets, Martin re-considered that stance after the Monroe Police told her of the smallish horse’s perilous predicament.
“I thought we would just keep her overnight and offer her a safe harbor until her owners came out for her because she could have been hit by a car,” she said.
Safety is a major concern for such animals as the recent horrific pit bull dogs’ attack and killing of two mini-horses in Butler County’s St. Clair Township showed.
“The police checked around because they know who has animals” but no owner reporting a missing horse could be found, said Martin.
Sandy — named by students at the school who also care for about two dozen, full-sized horses on the livestock farm — was 13 pounds below normal weight and suffering from a variety of parasitic aliments.
“It was hard to see from her winter coat, but when you put your hands on her you could feel her ribs,” Martin said.
Sandy soon became a favorite of the students, and Martin knew then if ever there was need for an exemption to the school’s rule about taking in animals, that time was now.
Last week, Butler Tech’s governing board approved the school’s request to make Sandy a permanent resident at the school. She now sports her own stall in the horses’ stables.
“She is very sweet and nice to handle and the students adore her,” Martin said. “As soon as she walked in (the school) the students were asking to keep her.”
Lakota West High School junior Elena Gonzalez was among them.
A recent, sunny day saw Gonzalez and classmate Casey James of Fairfield High School letting Sandy out in a campus corral to stretch her legs.
“Sandy is very special to us and for a lot of students here it was the first time they actually saw an animal come in that needed to be nursed,” Gonzalez said. “It’s a good experience for us to learn how to actually take care of an animal and feel the need to bring her back to health.”
James described Sandy as being “always after food.”
“She loves grass and peppermint treats and apple treats,” said James.
Martin has cared for hundreds for animals at the school, but she knows her first mini-horse is special.
“She found a good home,” said Martin, “and it was meant to be.”
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