Frankie & Sparkles Big Adventure Re-Cap

Posted by Barbara Techel

Note:  Please be sure to read all the way to the end and see great photos of our adventure!  Also USA Today shared our story on their blog today!!

Frankie and Sparkles~ Two Dog’s Rollin’

April 8th and 9th, 2010 were no ordinary days for two dogs known for inspiring others. Sparkles the Fire Safety Dog, along with her owner Firefighter Dayna Hilton, made the almost 900 mile trek from Clarksville, Arkansas, to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, to meet Frankie the Walk ‘n Roll Dog and her owner, Barbara Techel, in person (and “dog”) to work on some very special projects.

Frankie, a dachshund, suffered a debilitating spinal injury and now walks with the aid of a doggie wheelchair. For the past two years, Frankie has helped children of all ages realize that their challenges can be overcome by having a positive attitude, and that despite these challenges, they can be a contributing member of society in their own unique way.

Sparkles, a Dalmatian, has a unique story of her own. Rescued from a home with 62 other dogs in 2002, Sparkles now travels across the country with Hilton, educating children and their caregivers about fire safety.  To date, this canine educator has been credited with helping save the lives of two children and their two families.

Meeting via Facebook in October 2009, Techel and Hilton first made history in February 2010 when Frankie and Sparkles “met” over Skype during Techel’s and Frankie’s presentation to Clarksville Primary School (http://www.frankieandsparkles.com/2010/02/frankie-and-sparkles-make-history.html).

While in Wisconsin, the four came together for their first presentation in person (and dog) together to elementary students at Elkhart Lake/Glenbeulah Elementary School, sharing the fire safety message and encouraging children to be of service by helping those with special needs.

The four also participated in a Skype visit to an elementary school in western Canada, sharing the importance of fire safety and encouraging children who may have family or friends with physical challenges to help them have a plan, among other fire safety messages, so they and their families and friends can help stay safe from fire. Karen Keys, District Digital Literacy Teacher, and Matthew, a Canadian Firefighter, also assisted with the event.

Of the event, Keys stated, “The Frankie and Sparkles buzz was everywhere at lunch! I got a great response from the teachers involved who thought it was a wonderful presentation! The kids LOVED IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My principal was very impressed with the whole event and so was Matthew the Fireman…. he couldn’t wait to go back to the firehall to tell all the other firemen about it.”

Techel stated, “Skyping with Dayna and Sparkles, along with Frankie, to a classroom in western Canada was such a thrill! Because of school budget constraints as well as economic challenges I think Skype is such a win-win situation.  And the ultimate winners are the children who were able to learn about fire safety from Sparkles, and being positive and helping others with special needs from Frankie’s message.  Combine that with helping kids learn technology, which is our future, and you create a highly motivational way for kids to grow and thrive.”

This was Hilton and Sparkles first time to participate in a presentation with Frankie and Techel via Skype in person. Hilton stated, “As a fire safety educator, Sparkles and I have participated in hundreds of fire safety presentations over the years. This event was very special in that not only did we share this presentation with our two very good friends, we concentrated our efforts on the importance of sharing the fire safety message with those with special needs. According to the National Fire Protection Association, physical disability was a factor in an average of 360, or 13%, of home fire deaths. Together, we hope to change this unfortunate statistic”

Other activities included a visit to the Elkhart Lake/Town of Rhine Fire District where Firefighters Rob Schmidet and Shane Hughes assisted with Frankie and Sparkles’ upcoming e-books for children.

For more information on Frankie and Sparkles, please visit their blog at http://www.frankieandsparkles.com

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Additional Information:

At 46, children’s book authors Dayna Hilton and Barbara Techel have senior dogs whom they love deeply. Both credit their dogs for helping them find their purpose in life.

Techel, embracing technology, shares Frankie’s story of hope with children around the world via Skype. Hilton recommended Techel’s Frankie program via Skype to Clarksville Primary School in her home state of Arkansas, and the rest, as they say, is history~ literally.

In talking with Hilton one day via phone to thank her for the connection, an idea was hatched. Hilton shared with Techel, “What if Sparkles and Frankie were to meet via Skype?  Imagine how thrilled the children would be to be a part of this!”

As far as the two knew, no two dogs had ever met via Skype and the event would be the first time Techel and Hilton would “meet” as well.  The two were thrilled in knowing that there would be no better way to do this than in front of 500 plus children, elated with glee to witness this historic day.  In addition, the two came to the realization that this would be an exciting way to bring two friends and educators together with their two special dogs to share their inspirational and life-saving messages.

Both will never forget that day. After sharing Frankie’s story, Techel was so proud to introduce Hilton and Sparkles, her friends, whom she adored and admired for their work.  According to Techel, as she watched Hilton and Sparkles via Skype approach the front of the room, her eyes misted over. The moment brought her such joy to see the love that Hilton has for Sparkles and the passion she has for sharing her fire safety message with children (to watch the video of this amazing day, visit http://www.frankieandsparkles.com/2010/02/video-footage-of-frankie-and-sparkles.html).  Hilton felt the exact same way as she watched in admiration the story of Frankie unfold before them and a room full of children.

Both are grateful for each others friendship and encouragement.  Though the two are states away from each other, they feel a connection with each other as they continually inspire each other to be the best that they can be, knowing that they are just a click away on the computer.

 



Pets with Disabilities

Posted by Barbara Techel

“Because their spirits are not broken”

Don’t you just love that?  This is the saying on Pets with Disabilities website and I think it speaks volumes.

Each quarter Frankie and I choose a disabled animal charity to donate a portion of our book sales to.  This quarter we chose Pets with Disabilities for all the extraordinary work they do to help those animals that may not have been helped due to a disability.  Below is a bit about them taken from their website… and I encourage you to check out their website… and consider an animal with special needs next time you are looking to bring a furry new friend into your life.  I promise they will bring you more blessings than you could have ever imagined for yourself.

 

Pets with Disabilities Founders Joyce Darrell & Michael Dickerson


Joyce Darrell, along with her husband Michael Dickerson, founded the Pets with Disabilities organization in 2000. Their lives were changed forever after their rescue dog Duke broke his back playing as a puppy. 

Having nowhere to turn for help in caring for him, they started the organization Pets with Disabilities – a rescue and resource that provides information and support to families caring for pets with disabilities. The story of Duke (and later Misty, another wheelchair-bound dog)  has helped raise awareness about disabled pets and has reached thousands of people worldwide.  The grassroots organization and Web site, www.PetswithDisabilities.org  provides support and information to animal caretakers whose pets suffer from birth defects or have become disabled due to illness or injury. 

Mike and Joyce travel all over the country with Duke and several other dogs, promoting their mission: “Provide a positive voice for dogs and cats with disabilities that desperately need homes”

Powerful spokes-dogs Duke and Misty have been featured on NBC’s Today show, as well as in Prevention and Dog Fancy magazines. They are always the center of attention at every pet exposition they attend!

Occasional Paws Feature Story: Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary

Posted by Barbara Techel

Erin and one of her beloved horses

On the outskirts of Elkhart Lake is an equine sanctuary with six horses, two dogs, and one horse loving woman named Erin.  Supporting Erin’s hopes and dreams is a gentle man beside her named John.

Originally the dream of Erin’s sanctuary was to have been built in Waycross, Georgia.  She had purchased a piece of land one hour away from where her mom lived, and Erin was ready to pursue her heart’s calling. 

Erin’s step-dad and mom both shared in the dream of the horse rescue.  Her step-dad planned to build the facility, and her mom would be the bookkeeper.  In late 2006 her mom, who was also her best friend, suffered a stroke.  As her mom slipped away in May 2007 Erin’s dream of the sanctuary went with her also.  She felt there was no longer a reason to move to Georgia.  With her mom now gone, Erin could not gather the strength to move forward.

Luckily for Moki, Storm, Skye, Nallah, Miss U and Trigger, all horses now under the tender care of Erin, she found the courage a year later to pursue her passion and began her sanctuary in Hartford, Wisconsin. 

It was Miss U that became the first horse to find Erin, which would put the dream of the equine rescue back in motion.  The first time Erin met Miss U she said, “My body tingled all over. It was so surreal.  I just knew this was what I was meant to do.” 

Erin began the work of completing the many pages of paperwork to become an official non-profit entity.  This task alone could make anyone not want to pursue this endeavor, but now Erin had Miss U, along with the spiritual presence of her mom, guiding her.  On New Year’s Day 2010 she and the horses moved to Elkhart Lake to be with John.

I asked Erin, “Why did you want an equine sanctuary?” 

She shared with me when she turned 40, she began some soul searching, wondering what her purpose was.  She was surrounded by horses her whole life, breeding, boarding and showing them for a living while her two sons were growing up. Though she loved being around horses, this was not the way in which she felt was her life’s calling.

It took a few years to figure out what it was that she felt she was meant to do.  She knew it had to be something around horses because of her deep love for them.  It was then that she realized she was meant to nurture, love and care for them, especially those who are neglected, abused or unwanted.

Having a sanctuary she felt could bring awareness to educating others about the care of these large animals, and the commitment it takes.  Just like dogs and cats, too often, they are brought into our lives without consideration of the time, money and caring it takes. Erin says, “Making a commitment should carry the same weight as marriage to another person.”

She also wants to be able to give back and help horses heal that have been through difficult and traumatic situations. Erin can relate because her childhood was filled with mental, physical and sexual abuse.  Through years of therapy, as well as being around horses, Erin healed. 

Though some family and friends have difficulty understanding Erin’s drive to have a sanctuary, she did not let that stop her.  Sure, now and then she would question if this was the right thing to do. But something in her knew this was meant to be.

Erin is woman of immense faith in God, though one morning she awoke to a dreadful case of the doubts when she was in the process of beginning the sanctuary.  The thoughts were looming large in her mind. 

She believes in signs from up above, and pleaded for reassurance that she was on the right path.  As she sat down to eat breakfast she opened up Hooved Animal Humane Society magazine.  She gasped as she saw a picture of the saddest and most soulful horse she had ever seen. Sadly, the horse was euthanized due to so many traumas.

Erin said, “It just took my breath away.”  She could not get the haunting image out of her mind as she drove to work.

Before going into work, she opened up her mail which she had picked up on the way.  Interestingly enough there was an envelope from her aunt Pat, who she rarely talked with or saw.  Inside was a letter with a full page editorial about a woman in Pat’s area who rescue’s horses.

Erin said, “I just cried because I knew this was my sign.”

The doubts have taken a back seat, as Erin moves full speed ahead with Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary.  Before her mom passed away she never really believed you could connect with loved ones on the other side.  She has come to strongly know there is a higher purpose at work.  She feels her mom with her every step of the way. 

Understanding we are being guided, Erin named the sanctuary Amazing Grace, because it is so fitting for the invisible forces that are always at work around us.

Mascot of the sanctuary is Moki, a disabled horse, who was mentally and physically abused.  He came to live with Erin in November 2009.  Erin gave all of her heart and love to this horse, who stands prouder than any horse I have ever seen.  Much has been done to help Moki, but the answer to easing his suffering now lies in helping him cross to the other side. Erin is now gathering the courage to help Moki gallop free of pain. She knows her mom will be waiting with open arms to care for him until they all meet again someday. 

A piece of my heart is with Erin and Moki as they prepare to say their final goodbye.  But I just have to believe Moki found Erin because she is the angel who will give him the best gift of all in setting him free.

The sanctuary is slated to make its permanent home on the corner of Highway 57 and County Trunk FF in the upcoming weeks.  It is where Erin sees herself living life to the fullest, with fiancé’ John at her side, dogs Georgia and Synders as her furry companions, and the horses who she will continue to heal, nurture, and love with all her heart.

Watch for information on an upcoming open house and fundraiser in the fall of 2010 to see how you can help support Amazing Grace Equine Sanctuary.  Donations are appreciated to ensure the health of the horse sanctuary, and can be made on the website at www.amazinggraceequinesanctuary.com

UPDATE:  This story is dedicated to the memory of Moki.  On March 26th, 2010 Erin made the very difficult decision to release Moki to the other side. She asked me and two other friends to be there with her to give her the strength to say goodbye.  To be a part of Moki’s crossing over was more difficult that I had anticipated… but seeing him free of not only his physical pain, but mental anguish as well, made my heart happy for him. In my mind I see him galloping in the wind of eternal freedom where no one can ever hurt him again… and grateful that Erin helped him be the horse he always wanted to be…she set him free and I believe she was the angel he needed to give him that ultimate gift.

MOKI