port therapeutic riding centers. These institutions value horses, as they are instrumental in helping people with mental and physical disabilities. It’s truly amazing to see the positive effect the animals have with people who are usually immobilized by a physical disability and with people who have a mental illness. FullBucket also supports similar programs with dogs who provide much needed companionship to those who are sick or disabled and include TheraPet and Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. Their mantra is: Help a Horse, Help a Family. And they apply that mission both here and in impoverished communities.
IMPACT AND EXPECTATIONS
the US. It is customized for the needs of the animals in Guatemala. The area is volcanic in nature and the soil contains heavy deposits of ash. It has been depleted of necessary nutrients, especially salt, to keep the animals healthy and strengthen their immune systems. FullBucket works with local veterinarians, scientists, and manufacturers to produce an optimized formula for these animals. World Horse Welfare keeps a supply locally in a warehouse for continual distribution throughout the year.
WHAT THEY DO AT HOME
When people hear about the work that FullBucket does in Mexico and Central America, they often ask about the horses and animals here in the US that are in need of care. The truth of the matter is that the situations are very different. The animals treated on Giving Trips are worked hard every day and are essential for the survival of the people. These villages are extremely poor and have no access to resources. The animals in the US are usually kept for pleasure or for riding. The poor conditions you see here at home are mostly due to owner neglect and mistreatment. The FullBucket Domestic Giving strategy is to sup24 The Northeast Texas Equine
FullBucket is realistic in that they don’t expect the animals they treat to always stay healthy between their visits. Nor do they expect the owners of the animals to sustain the care given their level of poverty. Sustainability requires a continuous effort on the part of FullBucket and they are up for the challenge. FullBucket orchestrates these trips to let these people know that there’s someone who cares about them and to give their animals some much needed love and relief. Spreading a little happiness does make a difference, even if it’s only temporary. After-all, life is only temporary and it is the small doses of joy, encouragement, caring and sharing that allow us to fill each other’s buckets up one drop at a time. Through our sustained efforts we also see a difference in the attitude the owners have toward their animals. They are more aware of the importance of improving their welfare and keeping them healthy. They start to take pride in them and view them as a compadre vs. a tool. After all, they are VITAL to their survival.
WANT TO HELP?
Contact us at info@fullbuckethealth.com for more information on how you can get involved. Visit FullBucketHealth.com to learn more about their products for horses and dogs.
ABOUT FULLBUCKET
FullBucket is a division of Animal Stewards International. We have many people who give us the ability to bring these products to the market, but the three partners include Dr. Rob Franklin, Dr. Keith Latson and Rob “Robo” Hendrickson. FullBucket is located in Dennis, Texas.