One Year Later, Sun Gold Barn Collapse Spurs Action

Ground Hog Day was a terrifying and emotional day last year for area residents as that was the day beneath the weight of last year’s record snowfall. While all the horses miraculously survived, it still brought attention to how important it was to have nearby rescue personnel trained in large animal rescue procedures. As it was, the nearest veterinarian with the proper training and equipment, Dr. Stacey Golub, was nearly an hour away.

It has been a long time coming, but almost one year to the date from the collapse the first group of emergency responders and horse people began their training in CTSART (CT State Animal Response Team) methods at the Veterinarian Dr. Peter Conserva, from Suffield, CT, gave a presentation detailing the basics of large animal rescue as a precursor to the practical class which will be held in the spring.

“During times of emergency,” Conserva said, “you have to rely on yourself and a few friends.”

He detailed the risks as well as the safest methods of rescue while dozens of fire fighters and horse owners paid close attention.

Dr. Kim McClure Brinton of Country Companions Veterinary Services, who helped organize the training, was also one of the first veterinarians at the barn collapse.

“We’ve had several situations in this area in the past few years,” McClure Brinton said. “We’ve had a horse fall through the ice into a pond in Woodbridge and the barn collapse in Bethany. It’s important that we have this training locally.”

Through a fundraiser, McClure Brinton was able to purchase the straps needed for large animal rescue, which will be kept at her clinic.

Paul Neidmann and Karen Lombardi, animal control officers at Woodbridge Animal Control, also helped in the aftermath of the barn collapse and are taking the CTSART course.

“In this area we have to be able to deal with all kinds of animals,” Neidmann said, “not just dogs and cat.”

“I think the more knowledge we have to benefit all the towns,” Lombardi said, “the better for us all. We’ll do the whole course and hopefully be able to partner and assist Country Companions with anything that comes up. And hopefully we’ll never have to use it.”

Horse Commissioner Andy Leviton, another resident who quickly responded to the call for help at Sun Gold, was enthusiastic about the training.

“We need to have a group in the area that is capable of extricating large animals out of difficult situations,” Leviton said. “We need some formal training. The fire departments should be comfortable with horses, and everyone should have a better feel for this kind of rescue. It’s a very valuable thing.”

Leviton said there will be another training at the in the near future, followed by a practical training at an area farm in the spring.