Help Katie continue to fight for Ariana!

We are reaching out and begging the horse community – be it current or former WAHSET, 4-h, Pony Club, or any other entity – to please join us in helping our young friend Katie Pestinger with unexpected emergency veterinary medical expenses. Katie incurred these steep expenses when she was forced to choose between life and death for her beautiful, longtime equine partner Ari, with whom she’s shared the majority of her life.

Katie was not expecting to make such a financially devastating decision that morning when she walked out to feed the horses, as she does every day. If you know Katie, you know she has an incredible connection with Ari, and she immediately knew something was terribly wrong.

Katie sought immediate guidance from her local vet, and he quickly determined Ari was suffering from a twist in her small intestine, and she required immediate surgery. We are so appreciative of Dr. Grubb’s quick diagnosis and firm treatment advice.

Katie wasted no time in transporting Ari north to Sound Equine Veterinary Hospital in Poulsbo. This expert-level surgical clinic is well versed in this type of critical surgery, and the incredible staff moved quickly to address Ari’s colic – as soon as Katie was able to provide the $7000 deposit to even begin the surgery.

It will come as no surprise that Katie chose life. Katie chose to fight – because she knew Ari would fight. Katie made a selfless decision for her best friend and faithful companion…and while that was no doubt the right choice for Katie AND for Ari, that decision has completely obliterated Katie’s life savings. And she still owes more.

Katie’s current vet bills for Ari have already reached $12,000, and we expect them to climb to at least $15,000 before all is said and done.

As is seemingly the standard approach for the Pestinger family, Katie lives her life bestowing generosity on others. Katie freely shares her knowledge, experience, and time with others in the community. The oldest Pestinger daughter has shared her horses, her tack, and her time with many young people who would otherwise not have had the incredibly valuable and impactful experience of riding horses as special as Katie’s.

Please, from the bottom of our hearts, we are begging you to help us with this worthy cause. And there are many ways to help. First and foremost - if you can donate to this Go Fund Me fundraiser, please do.

If you are more comfortable donating DIRECTLY to Katie, please send a note or post a message here and I will reach out to you with mailing address information for Katie. She will gladly accept cash, venmo, or a personal check.

Money is tight right now – for many people. Every little bit helps – and every dollar donated brings us $1 closer to our goal. Please don’t think any donation is too small – a handful of $5 donations will add up quickly, and will be appreciated more than you know!

If you aren’t able to donate, please consider sharing this fundraiser – share the Facebook post or forward the fundraiser via email. You never know who might personally connect with this important cause, and be willing to help out a young woman who has helped so many others.

If you’re still reading this, THANK YOU.

Katie didn’t ask for this fundraiser – Katie has worked incredibly hard for everything she has and everything she has achieved. But the people who love Katie know she wouldn’t ask for it – so we are happy to be her voice. Another thing Katie wouldn’t do is talk about just how much time she has personally dedicated to the horse community. But, if you’re in the horse community – you most likely already know that.

The Pestinger family is probably the single most generous and positively impactful family in Thurston County. Together with her mother, Molly, and her sister, Charlotte, Katie has led, mentored, and assisted countless children through her horse-related activities in 4-H, WAHSET, Pony Club, etc. She is a staple of this community, and we want to rally around her during her time of need.