Virginia Governor, First Lady Youngkin present Spirit of Virginia Award to Nelson County equine rescue

NELSON COUNTY, Va. – Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Girl Suzanne Youngkin spent Thursday morning with three horses, Crimson, Beethoven, and Patches, that have been not too long ago seized by animal management and brought to Hope’s Legacy Equine Rescue in Nelson County.

Maya Proulx, Govt Director of the rescue, stated the animals have been in unhealthy situation and wanted therapy.

“We expect we should always have the ability to get them rehabilitated,” Proulx stated. “They’re three of the sweetest horses we’ve ever met, so hopefully, we’ll have the ability to discover them good properties finally.”

They’re not the one equines Proulx and her 80 volunteers are caring for on their 172-acre farm.

“This yr we’ve taken in 54 [animals] to date, we now have three extra coming in tomorrow, and I’ve about 24 horses on our ready listing,” stated Proulx.

Since 2008, the nonprofit has cared for 500 horses, mules, and donkeys – both seized by authorities or surrendered by homeowners who may now not take care of them.

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For his or her service, the group acquired the Spirit of Virginia Award.

“It’s simply concerning the in depth good that exists, at a time the place nearly everybody desires to deal with the not good,” stated Governor Youngkin.

“It sounds sort of cliché, however we have been blown away to be nominated to start with; after which to truly obtain the award is simply phenomenal,” stated Proulx.

The Youngkins plan on presenting six of the Spirit of Virginia awards every year and Thursday’s ceremony marked the third one given out in 2022.

“So many Virginians are doing extraordinary issues to assist Virginia be the very best place to dwell, work, increase a household and personal a horse,” stated Governor Youngkin.

“And be a horse!” Mrs. Youngkin added with amusing.