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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Linda or Allen Anderson
Angel Animals Network
POB 26354, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55426
Email: angelanimals@aol.com, Phone: 952-925-3309, Fax: 952-925-4729
Websites: www.angelanimals.net, www.horseswithamission.com
Garrison
Keillor's Bookstore Launches Book about Horses
Who Make Conscious Choices
Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 10, 2009
– Although subjugated by humans for centuries,
offered the chance, horses make conscious choices to provide service and show
love. In their new book Horses with a Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of
Equine Service (New World Library, September 2009), best-selling,
award-winning authors Allen and Linda Anderson chronicle 21 true stories of
horses who have chosen their paths in life or led people to find their own
callings. These horses give without expecting a return, other than maybe the
occasional carrot.
The Andersons will launch their new book at two
locations in October – Garrison Keillor’s Common Good Books in St. Paul and
Borders Books & Music in Minnetonka. The Common Good Books event will be a
benefit fundraiser for MNLINC, a local nonprofit that specializes in animal
assisted and nature-based therapy using horses and other animals. Tanya K.
Welsch, MNLINC’s co-founder, has her story “Viola, Wise Mother Mare” featured
in the book.
Carson
Kressley,
equestrian and Emmy award-winning TV host as the “Fab Five’s” fashion expert on
Queer Eye, says, “This collection of stories will remind anyone who has ever
had a horse as a best friend, confidante, and soul mate of what a special gift
that can be.”
BOOK LAUNCH DETAILS
Tuesday, October 6, 2009, 7:30 p.m. at
Garrison Keillor’s bookstore, Common Good Books, 165 Western Ave. No.,
Ste. 14, St. Paul, MN 55102, Info: 651-225-8989.
Common Good Books is donating 10 percent of book sales
that night to local nonprofit MNLINC. (See co-founder Tanya K. Welsch’s story
about Viola below.)
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 2:00 p.m. at Border’s
Books & Music, 1501 Plymouth Road, Minnetonka, MN 55305, Info:
952-595-0977. Borders is setting up a special table for MNLINC information
at the event.
MNLINC cofounder Tanya K. Welsch is a special guest at
both of these events.
The
Andersons say, “If you’ve ever thought that horses only display abilities on
race tracks, in riding stables, in beer commercials, or in movies, you’re
missing out on their ever-expanding services as sentient partners and willing
coworkers.” The book introduces horse volunteers who aid in therapy sessions,
give disabled riders freedom and mobility, heal childhood abuse, save lives,
help people fulfill dreams, and bring messages of hope and unconditional love to those who
need them most.
Stories in Horses with a
Mission include:
Molly, a three-legged pony and survivor of
Hurricane Katrina, who had her story go viral on the Internet, land in the New
York Times, and featured on CBS evening News. After her loss of a leg,
surgery, and a prosthetic device, Molly inspired the people of New Orleans and
admirers around the world. Now she visits children’s hospitals, nursing homes,
and other places to spread her message of hope and recovery.
Sankofa, a wise-beyond-his-years Arabian stallion,
made it possible for social studies teacher Miles J. Dean to complete a
cross-country journey in tribute to African American ancestors. Miles’s goal
was to heighten awareness about Black Cowboys and the contributions of African
Americans. Millions of adults and school children followed their odyssey as
Miles and Sankofa made history come alive.
Viola, a Norwegian Fjord horse who was imported
from Norway to become a broodmare in upstate New York, eventually made her way
to Tanya Welsch and MN LINC (Minnesota Linking Individuals, Nature, and
Critters). Viola put her mothering skills to excellent use as a co-therapist in
the animal-and-nature-facilitated psychotherapy, learning, and wellness program
for youth and families. With her innate maternal wisdom, Viola is incredibly
intuitive and nurturing, especially with at-risk youth.
Diana, wild mustang and lead mare of the rare Gila,
Arizona herd of wild horses, protected her herd, teaching the great lesson of
forgiveness. Her rescuer Karen Sussman documents the plight of wild horses who
faced elimination until they found refuge on a ranch, in the Badlands, on the
Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation.
“With hearts and minds open, we can learn from the
wild and domesticated horses in this wonderful book.”
-- Joe Camp, creator of the films starring the
canine superstar Benji
Horses with a
Mission: Extraordinary True Stories of Equine Service
By Allen and
Linda Anderson
September 22,
2009 ·
Animals ·
Trade Paper
$14.95 · 186
pages ·
B&W Photos Throughout · ISBN: 978-1-57731-648-0
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