Where to begin! Katherine Dunn has for years worked tirelessly with her gaggle of elderly animals making sure all their needs are met and their stories told through her art and books. Somehow she finds to to share her crew with elderly residents of several local elder care facilities. Her work is amazing. When my own mother turned 90, I asked online friends to send her cards to make her special day exciting. Katherine gathered her special animals and sent cards and even a tee with her faithful llama “Harry”s picture on it which tickled my mother pink. She proudly wears her shirt to town regularly and tells anyone who asks that Harry is her pen pal. Katherine’s work not only benefits her animals, but also anyone who meets her and her special friends.
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I've known Katherine Dunn of Apifera Farm, inc, for over 10 years. during that time, I have never known anyone who cared more about elderly animals, the environment in which they live and their quality of life. Katherine and her husband Martyn devote hours and hours each day along with untold money of their own to make Apifera a true sanctuary for animals that more often than not, no one else will take. They are the cast-offs of the animal world and they are taken into their farm and loved and cared for for as long as they live. This is a costly venture which Katherine, a writer and artist, uses her many talents to raise money for the animals' care. Its a wonderful venture which now includes sharing her animals with the people of the community, most recently, elders. It's a delight to see the joy on these folk's faces when Katherine and one of her visiting goats or donkeys visit! This is a charity that has seen a need and filled it. It's different, it's working and it's important. I could not recommend another non-profit with more enthusiasm.
Apifera Farms is such a loving, healing space! The caretakers, Katherine and Martyn Dunn, go the extra mile to insure guests and animals have nurturing, safe experiences. My personal encounter with the donkey trio of Pino, Paco, and Lucia, made for an unforgettable memory that I continue to reminisce.
Last year I was researching places to sell my art and checked out the Sundance Artists one of a kind page. It was there that I rediscovered the beautiful paintings of Katherine Dunn. Years ago I had purchased a magical book written by Katherine which featured her art and process. There was a link on the Sundance site which led me to Apifera Farm and from there my love story begins. Seeing the animals and being privy to the stories of the Farm and its inhabitants has been an ongoing joy. Katherine's stories and photos are moving, funny, breathtaking... perfection. But the best part is knowing that this farm is all about taking care of elder animals and sharing the animals with the elderly in the community. In a word where there is plenty of darkness Apifera is a shining light. I love this place and the special people who run it.
How to adequately describe the full depth of all the care that Apifera Farm is devoted to is the challenge here. Hospice care lovingly provided for elderly &/or dying animals. Laughter & joy for visiting elderly people who share company with the rag tag members of what Apifera calls the misfits that call the farm home. The barnyard stories that find their way into books & paintings. The neighborly sharing of the hard lessons & shenanigans involving the misfits in the local weekly paper. The delight in visiting the farm & meeting the animals that have become special to you after reading their story on the website & blog. All this & so much more have Katherine & Martyn worked so diligently to create for no other reason than it is their idea of life well lived & love well shared. They live their life inside this special ,special place they call Apifera Farm & invite others to experience the love, joy, laughter , teaching & sadness that comes from being caretakers of animals great & small.
I have followed Katherine's work with elder animals for over 5 years and have been fortunate enough to participate in workshops both live and online. What is immediately apparent is her utter commitment to the care and quality of life for these amazing animals. They inspire her art but more importantly, their stories and their spirit inspire all of us to recognize we each have something valuable to contribute to a world in need of reminders of love, kindness, compassion and respect. Apifera Farm is more than just a "last chance" for sick and elderly animals: it is a place where healing flows both ways. The opportunity to spend time with the animals whether through their stories online, workshop visits, or animal therapy visits with eldercare facilities affords these loving creatures an opportunity to show they still have much to offer.