In The News
IVEC honors two with annual PETS Award
For the first time in its 10-year history, the PETS Award presented by Indianapolis Veterinary Emergency Center (IVEC) has been given to dual recipients.
Sara Busbice, president of Friends of Ferdinand, and Joyce Deckard, founder of Our 'Lil Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary, were named PETS Award-winners at the recent IVEC Original Pet Carnival. The announcement was made and plaques awarded by Dr. Jim Speiser, founder of IVEC.
PETS Award recipient Sara Busbice has guided Friends of Ferdinand during a period of phenomenal growth. The organization, whose motto is "Retired from Racing – Not from Life" works with thoroughbred owners and trainers at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs to identify and obtain horses nearing the end of their racing careers, and then introduce them into second careers as pleasure riding or eventing horses, school horses, or simply as companions.
The organization is named in memory of 1986 Kentucky Derby winner Ferdinand. During his career, Ferdinand earned in excess of $4 million, won the Breeder's Cup championship and was named Horse of the Year. In 1989, Ferdinand was retired from racing and exported to Japan to stand at stud. Six years later, this king among thoroughbreds was slaughtered for human consumption – a Kentucky Derby champion, slaughtered.
Founded in 2005, Friends of Ferdinand has implemented a track-listing program at Hoosier Park and Indiana Downs that has placed over 180 thoroughbreds into non-race homes. It also has taken over 20 horses into an adoption program that is wholly supported by donations, including, in some instances, the costs of life-saving medical care.
In addition to being named recipient of the IVEC PETS Award, Friends of Ferdinand has received national recognition and funding from Thoroughbred Charities of America, BlueHorse Charities and After the Finish Line. Just recently, the iconic Lexington, KY track, Keeneland, contacted the group to find out how it might design and implement a track-listing program for the thoroughbreds that compete there.
The second 2008 PETS Award recipient, Joyce Deckard, was recognized for leading the rescue efforts of over 130 animals housed at Our 'Lil Bit of Heaven Rescue & Sanctuary in Martinsville as floodwaters rose on Friday and Saturday, June 6 & 7. She and a small group of helpers rolled up their sleeves, and their pants' legs, and went to work in the swirling floodwaters, pulling every animal from the shelter – along with Joyce's own pet, a potbelly pig. In spite of the enormity of the disaster, which destroyed everything on the property, not one animal perished. Each was rescued and placed in a safe and secure foster home.
The Professional Excellence Through Service, or PETS, Award, was created by IVEC to honor individuals and organizations that demonstrate qualities such as outstanding community service, dedication, love, and commitment to companion animals. Past recipients have included the Marion County Sheriff Department's K9 Corps; Coleen Ellis, founder of Pet Angel Memorial Center; Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer, and Brittany Siegman, a young Indianapolis woman who raised thousands of dollars to purchase body armor vests for police K9 units.
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