Horne Hopes Working Dog Symposium Will Lead To Construction Of Animal Rescue Resort

BRISTOL, Va. – Marcia Horne has a dream. A bold dream.
It involves folks who love and care for animals of all shapes, sizes and breeds.

The Bristol, Va., resident hopes to spearhead the construction of a multi-faceted animal rescue resort that would assist specialty animal rescue groups.

Phase one of Horne’s dream sequence, a Working Dog Symposium, will unfold Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the National Guard Armory in Bristol, Tenn. The event, arranged by the local chapter of Siberian Husky Rescue, will serve as a fundraiser, with the $5 entry fee used to offset costs for the planned resort.

“I came up with the idea of a symposium six months ago, and I’ve been working to put things together ever since,” Horne said. “We really want to help educate people about the working dog breeds.”

Horne knows all about working dogs. Since 2003, she has guided the Bristol-based Siberian Husky Rescue organization. Horne’s group, which seeks homes for huskies, has grown to 20 members from Roanoke to Knoxville.

The Siberian Husky is an active, energetic and resilient breed, often associated with the sport of sled dog racing.

The featured speaker at Saturday’s symposium will be Karen Ramstead, who has completed the famed Iditarod Sled Dog Race four times. In 2008, Ramstead and her team posted the third fastest time in Iditarod history for a pure-bred Siberian Husky team.

“So many people get a high-energy working dog but don’t realize the time or training needed to properly care for the dog,” Horne said. “This symposium will be an opportunity to listen to the experts, and it will provide information for folks who would like to work with their dogs in some capacity.”

Through speeches and demonstrations, the symposium will offer insight into areas such as hunting dogs, search and rescue, protection work, tracking and canine weight pull.

Presenters will include Dale Myers of Uplander Hunting Preserve, Jess Sparks of Silver Star K-9 Training, members of the Southwest Virginia K-9 Search and Rescue team, Paula Shupe of Beyond Sit and Stay Dog Training and Dr. Al Townshend, who was a contributing author to the book “Canine Sports Medicine.

With their dark blue eyes and often mythical portrayal in motion pictures, the husky is a natural draw. Horne wants the public to consider all animals, however.

“It’s hard to get many donations when you can specialize in one type of dog or animal,” Horne said.

Because of the slumping national economy, donations for all type of charities are down. Horne has seen the impact locally.

“At least two animal rescue groups in the Tri-Cities that have closed since December due to lack of funding for veterinary care or food,” Horne said. “One group had been around for two years ago, the other was saving lives for ten years. Members of both groups were just wanting to make a difference.”

If plans for the non-profit animal rescue resort materialize, Horne and her friends hope to make a big difference.

“There is just so much involved in this project,” Horne said. “We’re looking at land in Damascus because that community is already an established resort town appealing to the outdoors.”

The centerpiece of the resort would be a lodge, complete with bunk house style accommodations for around 20 people. There would also be a boarding kennel and a trading post where various animal specialty rescue groups can sell items.

“We’re hoping to attract community and scouting groups who maybe want to learn about sledding or other activities associated with working dogs,” Horne said. “I really think it would be a tourism boost."

Horne said the money earned after expenses would be distributed to specialty animal rescue groups.

The Siberian Husky Assist group hosts an annual Winterfest each year in Damascus. The featured attractions are a re-enactment of the 1925 Alaska Serum Run by the group’s sled dog team and Alaskan-style Lumberjack competition.

“Our dogs are also as performers at the Biltmore Estate,” Horne said. “Everybody loves huskies.”

Horne said she realizes that the scope of her dream is a bit grandiose, but she is determined to engineer an animal rescue resort.

“People have told us that is a long shot,” said Horne, who has sought the advice of small business experts at Virginia Highlands Community College. “We need a lot of money, and we’re working hard to get it.”

According to Horne, the long hours of planning and preparation for Saturday’s event are worth it when you consider the alternative.

“When an animal does not get adopted from a shelter, it gets euthanized,” Horne said. “Animal rescue groups, whether they assist dog, llama, wildlife, horse or rabbit, become tiny no-kill shelters.
“When you donate your time and open up your heart and home to rescue an animal, then all the sudden money has to come out of your pocket. We want to do something here that can assist rescue groups and animals for the long-term.”

What: Working Dog Symposium

Where: National Guard Armory, on Bluff City Highway, Bristol, Tenn.

When: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information: 276-494-3153 or 276-669-2916 or www.siberianhuskyassist.com