March 2020 Issue

Page 70 March 2020 EAST COAST EQUESTRIAN Email: eschfence@gmail.com - Fax: --------- WHOLESALE & RETAIL Phone --------- Lancaster, PA City Police lost their veteran police horse Charlie in January. Charlie, 17, policed the City of Lancaster for the past 10 years with his human police officer partners, most recently Officer Greg Berry. Charlie, a draft horse, was an imposing figure standing around six feet tall at the shoulder and weighing 2,000 pounds; but he was a gentle giant loved by many in the Lancaster County community including police officers, their families, and the City Parks Department partners who care for the horses when the officers are off-duty. “Please keep our mounted of- ficers in your thoughts, especially Officer Greg Berry and our friends and co-workers at Parks; Debra Berkoski, Dawn Sanders, and Sta- cy Stoner who provide excellent Remember...tell our advertisers you found them in East Coast Equestrian. Lancaster, PA Loses Police Horse Charlie care to our police horses,” said Chief of Police Jarrad Berkihiser. “Our police officers and our Parks Department partners form an incredible bond with their animal partners. Not only do they work with them on the street, they care for them many times while off-du- ty; feeding, grooming, taking care of their medical and other needs.” Charlie’s retirement was cele- brated December 10 and 11, 2019 with a final walk downtown and an event at their barn at Long’s Park. Charlie was transitioning to live with a wonderful couple in Lebanon County, PA. Charlie still lived with the other mounted police horses and was cared for by officers and Long’s Park staff while preparations at his new home were being completed. “Unfortunately Charlie’s arthritis and health worsened rapidly to a point that he was in considerable pain and discomfort,” Berkhihiser said. “Charlie has been receiving regular treatments at the Penn Vet New Bolton Center for his arthritis and was on supplements to help control his symptoms. After consultation with our local veterinarian who has treated our horses for the past 10 years, his treating veterinarian at New Bolton, the mounted unit, and Long’s Park staff, we learned that Charlie’s condition will only wors- en creating more pain that would be unmanageable, create more dan- ger and risk of falling to Charlie. Surgery was not an option due to the risk of creating more pain and distress and the surgery would not really relieve the arthritis. “We had to make the ex- tremely difficult decision to end Charlie’s suffering; a decision that was not entered into lightly because of what Charlie has meant to the community he served, the community that continues to sup- port our mounted and K-9 units through the Lancaster City Police Foundation. We reviewed all of the options to help Charlie and sadly this was the only option.” Charlie came to the mounted police from a farm in Kennett Square where he was a pasture mate to other horses. He was trained by Lancaster’s mounted of- ficers and quickly became an asset to the unit and police bureau. He served honorably with the bureau for 10 years and was involved in policing many special events in Lancaster and throughout the state, including Musikfest in Beth- lehem, the dignitary protection for the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia and campaigning presidential can- didates who stopped in Lancaster City and County. Charlie was provided a hero’s escort to the Penn Vet New Bolton Center on January 14th for the final procedure and his remains were respectfully cremated. Condolences can be sent to the Lancaster Police Mounted Unit at 39 W. Chestnut St. Lancaster, PA 17603 and donations in Char- lie’s memory can be made to the Lancaster City Police Foundation at P.O. Box 10171 Lancaster, PA 17605-0171 or online at lancaster policefoundation.org . Some Horses Events and Expo of the North East A 4-day holiday weekend-full of activities for all equestrians and horse enthusiasts. SHEE will be held in conjunction with the annual Central Vermont Horse Festival featuring shows for all disciplines and breeds. Vendor applications and presenter inquiries now being accepted: info@somehorsesexpo.com or visit www.somehorsesexpo.com September 4-7, 2020 Vermont State Fairgrounds Rutland, Vermont Exhibitors, Clinics, Demonstrations, Seminars, Horse Shows and Entertainment.