POWHATAN COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — They say a man’s best friend is a dog, but for Lieutenant Charlie Holland with the Powhatan Fire Department — it’s a horse. But not just any horse.
A very special 12-year-old show horse, Shaq was in a much different place when he and Holland first met.
Shaq is one of six horses rescued from a burning barn back in January. Holland said that the rescue was a team effort consisting of a good Samaritan and a whole group of Powhatan firefighters.
“Feels great to know that we had a little part of that,” Holland said with a smile.
Woodside Equine Clinic doctors and experts like Doctor Charlene Noll have helped Shaq heal since day one.
“He was in shock,” Noll said. “He needed fluids, support and pain control.”
Treatment ranged from blood work to antibiotics, as Shaq had pneumonia from smoke inhalation and serious burns covering his body. The persevering horse received plasma and significant support, both physical and emotional.
Now, he’s got a swanky tie-dye outfit protecting him as he heals.
“Well, I think it’s a little apparent he’s a much spicier boy and he’s feeling much better,” Noll said as the horse danced around her.
Shaq’s owner Cindi Nichols assured that, underneath that protective temporary fashion statement, he’s still the same feisty horse — this time with an entire community rallying around him.
“We use Shaq to help us move forward,” Nichols said. “If he can persevere and overcome, so can we — and how we handle ourselves and help him through this difficult time … we aim to show respect and honor to the three [horses] that we lost [in the January fire].”
Even though the horse still has a long road to recovery ahead, Shaq’s caretakers said that they can’t wait to have a major celebration when he returns home and they’re thankful for all the community support he has received so far.
