After Kathleen Lang’s only child, Becky, died in a tragic car accident on her way to graduate school in California in 2005, she was left empty-handed and devastated before a friend took a horse during a struggle. encouraged her to start a non-profit organization to help owners of .
Becky was a competitive equestrian, lifelong animal lover and aspiring archaeologist who was known for her kindness, passion and desire to help people, Lang said of her daughter. An organization called Becky’s Gift helps keep my daughter’s legacy alive.
“Not only is this truly a tribute to Becky, but it’s also a shining example of the life Becky has lived and what she does,” said Lang. I know she was with me the whole time.”
In the event of financial hardship or a life-altering tragedy, horse owners can contact non-profit organizations for short-term financial assistance such as medicines, grain, hay, veterinary and grooming services. You can, Lang said. Since its founding in 2007, the nonprofit has helped hundreds of people keep animals in their struggles.
After going through a divorce and battling COVID-19 last summer, Victoria LaPointe crashed her bike and couldn’t afford a farrier to trim her horse’s hooves and trim her shoes, she said. Told. When she was 30, she had to consider parting with the horse she had kept for 17 years because of her medical bills and living expenses.
“Becky’s Gift paid for his legs and food for a month until I got back to work and got back on my feet,” LaPointe said. “I knew he was in pain and there was nothing I could do. It was a great relief to know that my horse would care.”
Upon recovering and returning to work, LaPointe donated to Becky’s Gift to reimburse them for the hours and hours spent helping her horses and will continue to do so.
The nonprofit’s funding comes from donations and the sale of new and infrequently used riding equipment. Becky’s gift tack roomIt operates from the bottom floor of Andover’s Community Center.
“People are so generous to donate things and buy things. It supports us,” Lang said. “100% goes to Becky’s Gift. They knew that when they bought and donated.”
Calls for help have increased in recent months, Lang said. With hay prices doubling his price and increasing strain on veterinarians, this nonprofit is doing what it can to help, and veterinarians and grooming professionals are donating their time to maintain the service. .
“They stepped in twice for professional evaluations,” said Janis Larmond, a horse suffering from a terminal hoof disease similar to degenerative arthritis. reached out, specialists and farriers showed up and were able to find a shoeing solution.”
“He’s doing great now,” she said.
“I’ve known Cathy for years and love that she thinks of horses first,” continued Larmond. “She wouldn’t have had to beat him without her, and wouldn’t have known about her shoe options or medication.”
Like many horse owners, Lang’s horse helped her through hardships, continued to support her emotionally, and gave her purpose when she couldn’t find a horse on her own. .
“They are support animals,” Lang said. “That horse can survive that tragedy. My horse did it for me.”
Running a nonprofit helped Lang recover, she said. She often feels Becky’s presence and guidance in the cases and clients she handles.
“Becky works directly. When she sees a need, she fills it,” Lang said. “I am doing something positive for other people and I am grateful that Becky has guided me along this path.”
To further honor Becky, an alumnus of Bow High School and the University of New Hampshire, Lang launched a donation for archaeology students at UNH. Lang receives two letters a year from students who have excavated archaeological sites around the world and shared their experiences.
During her tenure at UNH, Becky traveled to Belize, Bolivia, and Guatemala, assisting Archeology Professor William Saturno at various Mayan dig sites. In Guatemala, Saturno had previously discovered ancient murals on the walls of the lower chambers of an unexcavated Mayan pyramid, which National He published in Geographic magazine.
Becky worked in the mural room, documenting and tracing the skyband portion of the mural for her graduation thesis, “Contextualizing Cosmology in the Preclassical: An Interpretation of San Bartolo’s Skyband.”
Saturno wanted her to take over the management after graduating from the University of California, where he received a full scholarship to pursue a doctorate in Maya studies.
It was while driving through New Mexico overnight that the rabbit hit the road and Becky crashed trying to get around it.
“I always told her not to turn when an animal ran into the road,” Lang said. “But she was an organ donor, and I don’t know how many lives she saved, but she wanted it. She was beautiful inside and out.”
To donate to Becky’s Gift or learn more about the nonprofit’s mission, please visit: www.beckysgift.org.
