Some of you may know Dana, but some of you may not. I met her a few years ago because of horses, and from the get-go, I immediately recognized her love for her animals. Hers is a special kind of love—constant, respectful, and all too often self-sacrificing.

If you do know Dana, you’ve seen her endless hard work in caring for her horses. She’s the most driven individual with one clear goal: building a healthy, sound line of horses. One horse in particular is the embodiment of years of work. Her name is Splash, and she is one special horse. She’s kind, quiet, and dependable. Equestrians often talk about their “heart horse.” We are lucky to have even one in our lives—Splash is Dana’s heart horse, and there is no denying their bond.

Almost two years ago now, Splash sustained a minor injury to her leg from a fly boot that has now grown into a possibly life-threatening ailment—despite multiple vets and extensive efforts to treat and heal the wound. I’ve watched this woman postpone her own medical care and basic needs in order to care for Splash. In a last-ditch effort, she hauled to Auburn University where they diagnosed necrosis in her superficial flexor tendon. The initial surgery, although invasive, is relatively affordable. However, the aftercare and recovery period is where the bills pack a heavy punch. In the end, it will cost around $20k. Anyone with a pet can understand how quickly the numbers climb.

Obviously, this number is huge, and Dana is trying to come to terms with possibly losing her best friend to something that can be chalked up as a freak injury. It’s not an incurable disease; it’s not lack of trying. It was one fly boot put on in order to protect her legs from the biting summer bugs.

It takes guts to pursue your passions, and there are few people I have met who do so without losing hope in the face of all of life’s endless challenges. If you have a few dollars to share or could even just share this fundraiser, it would mean the world to a very special girl and her very special horse.