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Supporters
And they’re off!
FLTAP Hits the Ground Running in 2008
The desire and vision of a few very determined individuals to start a Thoroughbred adoption program has become a reality at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack. In 2007 The Finger Lakes Thoroughbred Adoption Program (FLTAP) took the shape of a formal and very credible Thoroughbred adoption program. FLTAP obtained 501(c)3 certification in May of 2006, paving the way for tax deductible donations which include not only the donated Thoroughbreds, but supplies, equipment, services, and (still very much needed) cash. Since the initial inception in early 2005, nearly 300 Thoroughbreds have found new homes and new careers through FLTAP.
Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack is the first Thoroughbred racetrack in the United States to open an in-house adoption program, dedicated to the retraining and adoption of its retired racehorses. Ground breaking for the “adoption barn” took place in late June of 2007. The barn was not quite complete by late September due to unexpected funding and construction delays. However, the barn was completed enough to host the annual dinner and auction, and give supporters a glimpse of things to come.
Support and funding for the project came from a variety of sources. Delaware North Companies, the parent company of Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, donated the two acres of land on which the barn is located. The construction of the barn was made possible through $60,000 in state funding secured by New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio, as well a grant from the American Humane Association. A significant amount of additional funding was generously provided by Wanda Polisseni. Through the efforts of these altruistic individuals and so many others the “Purple Haze Center,” opened (although not officially) in early November when the first FLTAP horses took up residence.
The Purple Haze Center is a 10,000 square foot state-of-the-art horse barn that can house up to 16 Thoroughbreds in its 12 x 12 foot stalls. All the stalls have cushy rubber mats on the floor, and very quiet sliding stall doors. The stall doors have fold-down fronts that allow the horses to hold their heads outside their stall and look around, as well as interact with barn visitors. Additionally, three 12 foot long vision slots were crafted between stalls to create a pleasant open-air environment which, along with the spacious 14 foot wide roughened concrete aisle, safely provide horses with a more realistic herd-like environment. With safety bars across the windows in each stall, horses are able to look outside and enjoy the fresh air from outdoors. To alleviate boredom and facilitate retraining, there is a 70 x 72 foot riding arena as well as four 60 x 60 foot paddocks for grazing. There is a wash stall, a large utility room, a heated bathroom and office with soothing lavender painted walls. Great attention to detail is given for the comfort and safety of the horses housed at the Purple Haze Center, right down to the purple feed buckets, peppermints, and short cut carrots.
Donations of equipment and computers continue, and ongoing support is still needed to help these Thoroughbreds find new lives. FLTAP is fortunate to have attracted many very dedicated volunteers who lovingly donate their time doing anything from cleaning stalls to fundraising.
Keeping the Purple Haze Center running efficiently is the FLTAP Program and Facility Manager, Kerri Gaffney’s responsibility. Kerri’s love of horses and background make her the perfect person for this demanding role. She is responsible for the day-to-day care and safety of the horses, overall operation of the facility, and coordination of volunteer staff, the processing of adoption applications, and the evaluation and retraining of the FLTAP horses. Kerri started riding at the age of six and by the time she was twelve she bought and started training her first horse. Kerrie constantly rises to the challenges of this pivotal position and states, “I really enjoy trying to find new homes for the Off Track Thoroughbreds. I believe that they have much left to offer, and deserve to go a loving home for the rest of their lives.” Dr. Margaret Ohlinger, FLTAP Executive Director, feels extremely fortunate to have Kerri Gaffney on the team.
Margaret Ohlinger, DVM., serves as the FLTAP Executive Director, and gives the program the credibility required to be successful. In addition to serving as Finger Lakes Racetrack Examining Veterinarian, Dr. Ohlinger, like most veterinarians, has dedicated her life to the betterment of her patients (the horses she cares for). As one of FLTAP’s founding members and in recognition of her work, Governor Eliott Spitzer has appointed Dr. Ohlinger to New York’s Task Force for Retired Racehorses. Governor Spitzer developed this task force to address issues which include the promotion of larger markets for the purchase and sale of retired racehorses, the support of existing adoption programs as well as the establishment of new adoption programs and the development of internships which will facilitate the retraining and ultimately the marketability of New York State’s retired racehorses. Dr. Ohlinger responded to Governor Spitzer’s appointment as an honor.
“Efforts such as this on the part of our elected officials come at a time when public interest and concern are reaching an all time high for the welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses. One need only remember the outpouring of sympathy over the fate of Barbaro to realize that the time has come to confront the issues facing Thoroughbred racehorses once their racing days are over,” noted Dr. Ohlinger.
FLTAP ended 2007 with being presented the prestigious Lavin Cup Award on December 4 th at the AAEP 53 rd Annual Convention held in Orlando, Florida. Phyllis Shetron, FLTAP Board Treasurer, and Dr. Ohlinger traveled to Orlando to accept this honor on behalf of FLTAP. AAEP is an acronym for The American Association of Equine Practitioners. The AAEP annually honors “a non veterinary individual or an organization that has demonstrated exceptional compassion or developed and enforced rules and guidelines for the welfare of the horse.” The Lavin Cup is named in honor of AAEP past President A. Gary Lavin, VMD. Some past recipients of the Lavin Cup include the Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, Inc., the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Days End Farm Horse Rescue, and the Thoroughbred Charities of America.
FLTAP made 2007 an exciting year at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack, and 2008 promises to be even better. There are a variety of interesting, exciting, and rather unique fundraising events being planned for 2008, among them the Annual Dinner and Auctions (both silent and live) which will take place on August 30, 2008, a date chosen to coincide with the New York Oaks, the Lady Fingers and the Aspirant Stakes Races. Please visit our website in mid March for the complete list of all events planned for 2008, as well as opportunities to donate, volunteer, and become part of this compassionate and unprecedented venture.
Or better still; plan to visit the Purple Haze Center at our Open House and barn dedication which is scheduled to take place on Friday, April 18, 2008 the day before the opening of the 2008 track season.
