In this news town, you're used to hearing about the bad guys. This is a story about a good guy. He's devoted his entire life to helping kids, and now he needs help from you.
"Moe is just one of a kind. He is the most gentle, docile, giant horse. He's not a pony. He's a large horse and he really knows when he is doing his job. He shows up to the doorstep and immediately he bows his head down to be with the children, and he's just a gem," said Molly Reeser with Camp Casey.
But these days their is a little less sparkle in Moe's eyes. He's a therapy horse for Camp Casey specially trained for kids battling cancer, but now he has a battle of his own. It started when he was diagnosed with colic, a condition that can be fatal in horses.
"He made it through the colic and he's recovering from that. However, there were complications with his treatment, and so he's not out of the woods quite yet."
Camp Casey is one of the only organizations that allows siblings to share in the day of fun and they have no age limit for cancer patients, which is why then two-year-old Lauren Kolar had the best day ever.
"She got up on Moe and if only for a day she got to be a kid. There was no talk of cancer. There was no talk of not having hair or treatment. It was just being a kid, having fun and enjoying laughing and playing outside," said Norma Kolar, Lauren's mother.
"Sometimes the kids feel as though they lose control, and what Moe does for these kids is he gives them that control back. He allows them to steer and he allows them to take control of the reigns," Reeser said.
Moe's vet bills are sky high, already more than $2,500, which is overwhelming for a small non-profit. Now Camp Casey is asking you to get off your high horse and help put these kids back in the saddle.
"There [are] 14 house calls scheduled and Moe is the only horse for Camp Casey. Those kids have been through so much, and for them to just have the same pleasure that Lauren and Noah were able to have would be wonderful."
The Camp Casey Facebook page has exploded with people showing their support and people who want to check out pictures of Moe and see him in the hospital on his way to recovery.
For more information on how you can help, go to www.camp-casey.org.
_____
UPDATE: Our touching story about Moe the horse helped the organization Camp Casey raise enough money to provide Moe with the medical treatment he desperately needed. The people at Camp Casey wanted to thank everyone who donated.
But sadly, this story still may not have a happy ending. Moe suffered complications after having getting surgery for colic. Now we're sad to report he's still not getting any better and the organization might have to put him down.
Here's hoping that Moe will get the miracle that he has given to so many others.
Lauren Kolar sits atop of Camp Casey's Moe.
