Takoda

Your Name
Steve Stapp

Please tell us something fun or interesting about the horse in your photo
Hi my name is Steve Stapp. Four years ago I arrived at Tidewell Hospice in Arcadia, Florida in an ambulance. My liver had failed, I was in a coma for 16 days and my family had been called twice to come say their final goodbyes. Folks, miracles do happen and I survived. I wondered why God had spared me and nearly everyone I asked said "because you haven't done what you were sent here to do!"
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I got involved in animal rescue because so many are abused, neglected and abandoned. Growing up in Texas I have always had an affinity for horses and I found an equine rescue near my new home away from hospice. I volunteered every chance I could.

Two years ago a paint gelding was delivered by Animal Control. The horse had been tied behind a barn with no food or water and struck between the eyes with an ax. Some time later a neighbor found the horse emaciated and dehydrated but still alive and called for help. After a complete physical by a local veterinarian it was determined the blow to his head had detached both retinas and he was totally blind. I named him "Takoda" which is a Sioux word that means "a friend to everyone" and adopted him from the rescue. He has now joined me and my two rescue dogs Czar and Dodger.