Thursday, December 4, 2008

Sign petition to save Caledon disabled child mini pony

I already blogged about this story.
Anyway for the lazy ones here's the summary. In Caledon, Canada, there's this 3yo child Sam who was born with cerebral palsy. Sam's a wonderful family and has a Emily, his miniature pony friend he's so attached to. Emily's also part of his therapy know as horse therapy or hippotherapy. Sam's doesn't live in a flat but in one acre (4046.8564224 bloody m2) house that borders a cattle farm. Well, some neighbours complaint that the pony smells and the Town Council or Law Enforcement or whatever found the bureaucratic quibble to evict Sam's companion.
Given that Antonia's about to stand in front of the-1000CAN$-worth Caledon Committee Of Adjustments, she's working to rise a sorta mass effect over the web (as well as local and national) to see if humanity, ethics and common sense have still some value for some people. I mean, I know that there are rules and laws but men, to tear a 3 years old disabled child from his beloved pony is something worth starring with the DC or Marvel SuperEvil of the year!
There's a petition online to ask the Caledon Committee Of Adjustments to accept Antonia's request for letting the pony stay in the property as she's not livestock but pet and therapist for Sam.
You can find the petition here and here below the text.
To: Caledon Committee Of Adjustments
We the undersigned implore the Caledon, Ontario Committee Of Adjustments to find in favor of the Spiteri Family in housing "Emily" (their miniature pony) on their property who has been living on the property within the community of Caledon for the last three years. We urge them to show Empathy and Compassion for the family and understand the reasons for Emily residing on said property is solely for the benefit of Sam who resides at the family home (on said property).
Sam is diagnosed with Spastic Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy and has been using Emily for therapeutic purpose for the last 3 years. The pony is a help animal for a child with a disability. Just as guide dogs are allowed in public places restricted to other dogs, the Spiteri's pony should be allowed to stay on their property. This is not just the beloved pet of a small child - the pony is required for Sam's therapy for cerebral palsy.
The pony has therapeutic use. It is not "livestock" in the true sense of the word. It is not being reared in an agricultural setting to make food or fiber or perform labour for sustenance or material profit. It is a help animal. It is a friend for Sam and a therapy for his disability. The bylaw should not apply.
Sincerely,
The Spiteri Family
Here's the link to Antonia's Save Sam Spiteri Pony group on Facebook where you can find more information about the situation and upcoming Committee of Adjustments meeting.
Here's some links about the value of hippotherapy
http://www.americanhippotherapyassociation.org/
http://www.narha.org/
http://www.frdi.net/

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