Meet the Frannicolas . . .

Arthur and Joy have been involved with animals for most of their lives.  At the present time, they count 7 rescued dogs as their personal “pack”.  Each and every one was abandoned and looking for a loving home.  They also have 6 horses that live at the farm, all bred and raised by them. 

Arthur was raised in a dog-loving family and has owned dogs for as long as he can remember.  He prides himself on his ability to read a dog’s body language, and to “dogspeak”.   He is patient and kind, and believes in positive reinforcement to teach dogs acceptable behavior.  He has worked with many dogs, both here and at local shelters, and has been able to modify their behavior to enable them to better interact with people and other dogs.

Arthur is also responsible for the Ranch's foals learning to accept humans and to become better companions.  He has spent hours in the stall with newborns, allowing them to sniff and rub and to be rubbed – he has taught them to walk on a lead and to stand quietly while being haltered.  Trainers have always been amazed at how well mannered the babies were!

Joy has been involved with horses for more than 35 years.  She has observed and learned veterinary techniques by assisting the vets in the field, and has successfully rehabilitated several horses from serious injuries, enabling them to be ridden and shown and to be functional, rather than stand as pasture ornaments. 

Together, they appreciate and understand the subtleties of animal language.  While not as accomplished as Arthur is in training and behavioral modifications, Joy works with the rescues and provides the daily interaction, care and treatments needed to make them more appealing and therefore, adoptable.

From this.....

Abandoned by his family after 10 years, Max's chances at adoption were non-existent. Depressed, he was starving himself to death.

Abused and neglected, Sammie was days away from being euthanized (at the shelter 03/10)

Little Hank was the last surviving pup of his litter.  He was scheduled to be euthanized and was rescued in the nick of time (10/09)

Simon was brought to Animal Control by a good samaritan who found him lying in the back yard of a house she was renting to a family.  Apparently, they moved and left him behind.....

 To this ....

Max, after 2 months at the Ranch - he's become a permanent member of the Frannicola family. 

After only a few months at the Ranch, Sammie's learned to trust and to love people again!  (Here, with Arthur - 08/10)

Now called "Charlie", Hank enjoys a new life with a loving family and a fur-brother named "Jordan" (6/10)

After a few weeks of TLC (thanks to our wonderful fosters Grace and Sandi), Simon is almost back to normal!  He still needs to build up his strength and stamina, but he has recently been adopted by a wonderful family in Pennsylvania and is living the good life!