I didn’t start a horse rescue on purpose. Rather, it happened – spontaneously and haphazardly – because five needy horses landed in my lap. To say that the first weeks were “a little” stressful is like saying that a wildfire is “a little” hot or that the ocean is “a little” deep.
In my bedroom one afternoon in late March, as I folded laundry still warm from the dryer, I collapsed onto my bed, whispering “I can’t do this by myself” and “How am I going to pay for all of this?” as I sobbed into a bath towel. Let me just say I’ve had stronger moments in my life.
Though we’re still working on answering the “How am I going to pay for all of this?” question, thankfully, the “I can’t do this by myself” concern from early on was rectified shortly after the bedroom breakdown, as various individuals stepped forward offering organizational, emotional, and financial support, reminding me that I wouldn’t be going this alone.
Four people in particular demonstrated a passion for our mission that is nothing short of inspiring: Angie Bastian-Dannelley, Annamaria Carrington, Kendra Bohn Mikoloski, and Jack Klingler. And since “I can’t do this by myself,” I would like to introduce you to these individuals, the newly assembled Board of Directors of Flying Changes Equine Rescue.
Angie Bastian-Dannelley, who will be serving as secretary of Flying Changes, earned her B.F.A. in Graphic Design from Edinboro University and her M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College. She owns Sun Rae Creative, a photography, marketing, and design business near Butler, Pa, and is also the proud wife of Abel, mom of Hunter, and equine-mom of five beautiful four-leggeds that she loves like family. From the day I contacted Angie for help, she has been a whirlwind of ideas and a freight-train of forward motion for the rescue, with an incredibly sharp wit and gut-busting sense of humor. Angie is the reason we have a website, and a blog, and beautiful pictures and videos of our rescue horses. Angie is also the reason that I have whatever is left of my sanity!
Jack Klingler, Flying Changes’ treasurer, is … since we’re big on transparency at the rescue … also my dad. But when I needed financial advice, I couldn’t think of a more honest, trustworthy, and straightforward person to have on our team. Jack has his B.A. in accounting from Arizona State University (the BEST SCHOOL EVER, in case you were wondering) and his M.B.A. from Duquesne, and also is a C.P.A. and C.F.A. in addition to his D.A.D. After 20+ years working in various finance positions at Alcoa, he and my mom, Michele, moved to Atherton, California, where he taught accounting at Menlo College for the past four years. Jack and Michele moved back to Pennsylvania this May and Jack will be teaching several accounting courses in the undergraduate and graduate accounting programs at Pitt this fall. Jack’s horse experience is a bit more limited than the other board members, but he has trail ridden with me on a few family vacations and does know that my horse’s name is Elmo, that he is “brown and white.” As we work on securing a financial foundation for the rescue and building a base of local supporters, I can’t think of a better person to operate our finances and share the information with all of you.
Annamaria Carrington, member at large, is a pharmaceutical sales rep for Purdue Pharmaceuticals with a B.A. in International Affairs and Business from Xavier University. She is also the most experienced board member in the area of equine rescue as a former volunteer with the organization from which our original five horses came. Annamaria is knowledgeable in many areas of horse care, including equine nutrition and the treatment and maintenance of numerous equine medical issues, and is our go-to person regarding our rescues’ individual needs. AM also has an incredibly enormous heart – when our rescue stalls have been full, she has personally helped to find homes for horses whose owners have reached out for help, and she genuinely has the best interest of every horse in mind, regardless of its breed, age, temperament, or potential challenges. The two gentlemen closest to her heart are (in no particular order) her husband Eric, and her handsome warmblood, River, whose purchase actually benefitted another rescue organization – a tribute to AM’s generous, compassionate nature.
Kendra Bohn Mikoloski, member at large, is a veterinary neurologist and neurosurgeon at Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, having completed vet school at the Ohio State University after attending Hiram College. You read that right – we have a BRAIN SURGEON on our board! Kendra boards her beautiful mare, Scarlett, at Hidden Oaks Farm where Flying Changes is housed, and has been an avid supporter of the rescue since it began in March. Asking Kendra to the board was a no-brainer (bad pun, English teacher), and I was beyond thrilled when Kendra agreed to serve. Not only is Kendra a vet, but she is an avid and experienced horsewoman – in addition to riding and training her own horse, Kendra regularly rides and competes Hidden Oaks’ horses, and she is always looking for a new experience or feedback from her trainer to continue learning and growing as an equestrian. Additionally, Kendra’s rational, logical, and straightforward way of thinking is a stabilizing force for the rescue, and many a time Kendra has aided the decision making process with her intellectual and rational perspective. We thank Kendra’s husband David for sharing her with us, and appreciate her taking the time out of her busy schedule to help our horses in need!
That tear-filled day in March seems so far away as I write this today. I never imagined that such an amazing team of talented, unique individuals would so generously give of themselves to do the right thing for our local equines. We met officially as a board last night for the first time, and I’m so excited to share with you in upcoming posts some of our plans for the future that will ensure that the rescue can self-sustain and continue helping horses in need.
Until then, thank you for your support.
~Sarah
For more information on Flying Changes and all the horse rescue’s happenings, please go to the website, by clicking here.
Flying Changes Equine Rescue 
Hi how does your adoption process work? Thxs
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Hi Becky, We ask that everyone interested in adopting one of our horses fills out an adoption application first. You can find it on our website here: http://flyingchangesequinerescue.com/adoption-information
If you have a particular horse in mind, you can fill that out in one of the questions asked. After that, we would have you come to the rescue to meet the horse you’re interested in. After the meeting and if you’d like to go ahead with an adoption, there is a vet reference form that your vet will have to fill out and then we have an adoption contract that would need to be signed. We walk you through the entire process and work with you! Thank you for asking! (Angie)
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