Guess What?
Miss Molly's Journey (a short film story) Just WON a Winnie Award at the 2023 Equus Film & Arts Festival under the category of Horses for Mental Health! Watch the film below.
Guess What Else? Miss Molly, the real horse, currently needs your help! She has a history of emotional and physical trauma. Her journey of recovery and healing is incredible. We have included a timeline history below to give you an idea of just how far she has come. However, recently she sustained a head injury that the veterinarians believe has led to a concussion. Having had head trauma in the past has made her even more vulnerable to its effects. The brain bruising has caused serious acute impairments in her ability to walk, move and perceive her surroundings accurately. All these markers require us to remove her from her work and give her the needed bedrest and rehabilitation she requires.
Friends for Pegasus, NJ Nonprofit,501c3 is honored to extend a collaborative partnership with Spring Reins of Life 501c3 (where Molly's works) to enable a dedicated fundraising effort to help a horse whom we have witnessed for years changing and saving the lives of veterans. Molly is an incredible mare, and we will do all we can to support these efforts to help her. Won't you join us?
Thank you for the interest in learning about Miss Molly's story and how you can help her recover. Follow along with us as updates about her rehabilitation will be tracked and posted on The Herd's dedicated channel called NJ Virtual Herd. See all venues at https://www.linktr.ee/njvh_sroh
Miss Molly, a palomino QH mare who has spent the past 6-years helping hundreds of NJ Veterans with PTSd find a pathway to calm and develop personalized coping skills.
September 2023 Molly became concussive and was put on medical leave for both her own and others’ safety. While somewhat complicated to address, Molly now has a Team in place who can provide physio/neuro therapies for her to have the opportunity to rehabilitate. Would you please consider joining a larger extended team to support this incredible mare in her road to recovery!? Please help Miss Molly...
This short video displays Molly's gait pattern, turning /walking, September 2023:
Miss Molly has earned every chance in the world there is. This is because of Her Story.
Below is a glimpse of what we have known since she joined Operation Horse at Spring Reins of Life. Friends for Pegasus, NJ Nonprofit 501c3 is honored to rally for Miss Molly. Dr. Maria and Molly have a long and trusted relationship, part in which how we feel Molly will respond well to treatment and physio training.
2016 – “Large, well-broke, palomino mare” rescued from the Kaufman TX Kill/Ship pens by a NJ lessons instructor with good intentions. Upon arrival it became obvious that this horse was not able to be a lesson horse. She was aggressive/defensive, deemed dangerous to handle as she bit hard, struck in front and cow kicked anything that threatened her. Given the name Miss Molly. Evident of massive abuse and trauma.
2017 – Miss Molly is aggressive towards most humans especially at feeding time, yet Veterans attending sessions at Spring Reins of Life were greeted, could approach, and pet her. April 2017 Molly moves with Spring Reins of Life to Hunt Cap Farms to give a chance at Operation Horse and working with PTSd veterans. The entire first year was spent de-traumatizing Molly. She too had PTSd, TBI and regularly disassociated. As time was traveled and trust was built, Molly made her way more and more back to horse. Dr. Maria played an important role in helping Molly to regain control over triggers through breathing and physio work. And, each week Molly had time with her own people, the Veterans where she has always "felt most safe with" - as they speak the same internal language of post-trauma.
2019 – Miss Molly is presented with an award. We were so surprised and proud of her. From the NJ Department of Veterans Affairs… “2019 Therapy Animal of the Year”! This incredible honor was affirming for Miss Molly's Journey in that she has an incredible story to share. New Jersey Veterans opened a door that saved Molly’s life, and since sharing this path, SHE has returned that favor several times.
2020 – The covid19 pandemic shutdown which lasted Spring Reins of Life over two years, was devastating financially yet it also had negative effects on Miss Molly. Her people, her veterans vanished without warning and for a long time. She began to show signs of nervousness, became jittery at random. NJ Veterans had become an anchor for Molly.
2022 – The Herd endured a sudden, tragic, and massive loss. Their leader, Dane died on an operating table at MAEMC and the remaining herd of mares suffered this loss greatly. There was chaos in that none of them would emerge as the new leader. Molly began to feel unsafe, uncertain. Her behavior began to become erratic and unstable. Dane was a strong anchor for Molly, and the entire herd.
2023 – Early summer, Molly concussed the first time where it was noticeable. Visual proprioception askew and it took over a week to see some improvement. No treatment was given just rest, dark, and quiet. August 1st - new horse arrives to the programs. A 7yo TB gelding with special circumstances. This created complete restructuring of the herd and proved to be far too much "change" for Molly to handle. She displayed defensive/aggressive behaviors that required she become separated by a fence.
September 12, 2023 – Miss Molly 'bumped' her head on the stall door guard in evening. By morning she was fully concussed and could not find the ground on a hard surface, (see video clip). At this point we had veterinary assistance to assess her neurological health. Disease was ruled out, and diagnosis became "history of TBI, possible severe head trauma based on asymmetries in R/L poll (top of head), prone to concussion/concussive events". YIKES!
October 25, 2023 - Dr. Judith M. Shoemaker, DVM made a special visit to Molly and provided chiropractic and postural rehabilitation to support her neurological recovery. Recommendations were made for high proteins, clean balanced fats, among other brain/nerve supplemental supports, and running a Quest diagnostic test. Dr. Shoemaker is the advisory veterinarian on Miss Molly's rehab and will be working in collaboration with Dr. Maria Katsamanis (providing neuro pt).
Right Now Today:
Embarking upon an intensive Physio/Neuro Rehab PT/OT on-site where Molly lives. Updates and progression reports will be shared publicly so you can follow along. Miss Molly's deficits and milestones will be shared publicly on a channel dedicated to the Herd members daily lives, here is the Instagram page:
NJ Virtual Herd / Animal Vlog (@nj_virtualherd) • Instagram photos and videos
Spring Reins of Life (SRoL) refrains from sharing much information directly about the Herd and pandemic created an online platform for the horses. Footage and updates regarding Molly are in collaboration with both Dr. Shoemaker and Dr. Maria and will be shared on @friendsforpegasus for educational and documentational purposes.
December 2023 and beyond - Assembly of a NEW Team Molly to learn and assist in her neuro rehab. Clinic for Molly at her home on 12/18/23 by Dr. Maria who will be leading the charge for Molly's rehab. We have decided while more costly and time consuming, it is in Molly's best interests to remain at home. Once Molly has been on the dietary aids of proteins and fats for a few weeks, Maria will be coming to her and providing neurological OT exercises and re-establishing breathe work. Simultaneously Dr. Maria will also be instructing a team of caring volunteers/caregivers to learn and help administer rehab, leading into the long-term physiotherapy maintenance for Miss Molly to have the best outcomes and possibly even be able to return to the Herd, and Her Work!
What Will it Take?
Thus far Spring Reins of Life has been able to get Molly started on some of prescribed products to help her prepare for rehab. Smart Earth Camelina is helping with the fats, and some of Molly's team have purchased the detox products, and one container of high dose proteins. This is great news.
The Details:
Full Three-Month Treatment Plan:
On-site Neuro PT/OT therapist, trainer, instruction for Team Molly – Dr. Maria Katsamanis of Mythos Farm (and Friends for Pegasus, NJ Nonprofit 501c3)
a) First month Neuro PT/OT 3x week, 12 visits = $1,800
b) Second month Neuro PT/OT 2x week, 8 visits = $1200
c) Third month Neuro PT/OT 1 x week (team covering the rest) = $600
Each on-site visit for rehab/training is also instructional to at least ONE of Molly's rehab team members.
Estimated Total: $3,600.00
Veterinary Consultation and Practitioner - Dr. Judith M. Shoemaker, DVM of Always Helpful Veterinary Services
a) Consultation calls, review of video, etc. more acute up front. Min of 4 / max of 8 @ $120 first 20 min ($30 each 5min increment past that)
b) On-site practitioner visit with Molly, Springtime 2024 – cap at $800.00
Estimated Total: $1,520.00
Supplements and Herbals
a) Supplements specific to Brain, Nerve, and Central Nervous System health – $710.00
b) Herbal / homeopathic modalities, supplements, and tinctures – $650.00
Total: $1,460.00
Farrier Services – Hoof’N’Round, Jennifer Farley. Intensive trims during this process. Additionally, we learned that Molly is lacking for her farrier sponsor since August. Hoof'N"Round is owed money for 2 past trims. Estimated Total: $490.00
Miscellaneous (local) Veterinary Costs - via barn veterinarian Dr. Oliver Elbert, DVM. Case of emergency or need for medications or blood-work, blood tests, etc.
Estimated total: $1,000.00
Medications
a) Lions Mane - $270.00
b) Ketamine (low dose) - $610.00
c) Quest Diagnostics Test - $350.00
Total: $1,230.00
THANK
https://www.friendsforpegasus.org
https://www.springreinsoflife.org
https://www.alwayshelpfulveterinaryservices.com