Summary: Local animal rehabilitation and rescue farm robbery will prevent the Willard Family from offering their free animal therapy services to people with special needs.Vital equipment was stolen in a cruel and senseless robbery.
On Saturday, April 9, Randy Willard locked the gate that leads to the barn at his home and farm, Lifes Little Adventure Farm. He retired to the house for an evening with his family. When the family arrived at the barn the next morning to begin feeding the animals an unfortunate discovery was made. The Willards had been robbed.
The Willards own and operate Lifes Little Adventure Farm, a non-profit that rescues and rehabilitates animals in need and provides services to families in crisis through equine and animal play therapy. Since 2002 the Willards have been opening their hearts and farm to animals and people deemed imperfect in todays world.
The thief or thieves broke the lock on the gate that leads to the Willards barn and helped themselves to the contents. They ransacked the grain room and stole valuable and necessary equipment used daily on the farm to facilitate the needs of the animals and the people who rely on the services provided by the farm.
The items stolen include saddles, lunge ropes, saddle blankets, bridles complete with bits and reigns, bit-less bridles, hay bags, hay nets, bridle racks, training surcingles, English saddle pads, rope halters, reins, saddle racks made out of logs, a bucket of bits and various other tack. The thieves senseless act also included the destruction of a blanket rack.
We would like to install security cameras but the cost doesnt make it easy, said Melissa Willard. Many of our horses have special needs while we are rehabilitating them. We need our equipment in order to give them the care they deserve. We have several horses that need training several times a week, and our training supplies are now gone.
The Willards currently have 20 horses at the farm. The horses are the tool that allows us to help children and families with special needs, said Willard. In addition to horses, the Willards also care for ponies, goats, sheep, chickens, geese, rabbits, pot-bellied pigs, a miniature donkey and dogs.
We train families to care for animals so they learn the proper way to interact and enjoy animals in a humane way. This allows them to learn empathy and helps them heal, said Willard.
In addition to the services offered on the farm, the Willards also take animals to vacation bible schools, churches, civic and service clubs and private functions to promote good animal care. Animals are therapeutic, said Willard. In 2011 we all have some issues and animals can help.
None of the animals were hurt in the robbery. The Willards intend to do what they can with what they have to continue to care for the 260 animals that call the farm home.
From 2006-2009, Lifes Little Adventure Farm has given farm tours to 1,197 families. 1,195 of those families were single parent homes. 688 families came 10-20 times throughout the year. 148 families were victims of domestic violence. 244 families were touched by autism. 47 families had a critically ill member. 91 families had a member with emotional or behavioral issues. 2 families had members with anorexia. 8 families had experienced a loss of their home, possessions or family pets. 2 adults were able to complete court ordered community service and 65 teens were able to complete court ordered community service.
In the same time period, the farm rescued 55 large animals, 8 pot bellied pigs, 480 dogs, 1000 cats. All animals were vetted by Country Road Veterinary Clinic at Apple Creek. 98% of the cats and dogs that came to the farm were placed in loving homes.
Unfortunately our insurance does not cover theft, said Willard. The Willards are asking the public for any information leading to the recovery of their stolen equipment. We filed a report Sunday morning with the Sherriff. We are hoping maybe some of our tack might make it back to us...or maybe there may be persons with used items they may be willing to allow us to borrow, said Willard.
Deputy Scott Reis of the Wayne County Sheriffs Department said, I cant comment at this time as it is an ongoing investigation.
