Bend Veterinary Clinic - OVMA 2010 Awards of Excellence

In the Bend Bulletin, Dr. Evans acknowledged the realities: that euthanasia and disposal of horses is considered to be expensive, and that the Central Oregon area has an abundance of horses. The situation was made even more difficult in that some of the rescue groups had already reached capacity.

Determined to make a difference, to help both people and horses, Doug and Meghan founded Grassroots of Central Oregon – a hay donation program. The Evans’ weren’t alone in reaching out to an affected equine community, but they were the first in Central Oregon to have an important and vital impact at such a critical time of need. And they haven’t attempted to do it by themselves. Grassroots of Central Oregon has used a barn of one of Dr. Evan’s colleagues – Dr. Byron Maas – to hold the hay, and Dr. Evans has sought assistance from other veterinarians and equine rescue groups to spread word about his program. The goal is simple, he said: “Help struggling horse owners through the winter.”

With Dr. Evans’ exemplary leadership and action, Grassroots has taken in several tons of hay for people and horses in need – including a two-ton donation from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office. While the donations are a welcome relief to horse owners, the hay is dispersed in measured amounts, and those who need assistance must fill out paperwork and let him visit their facilities to check out the horses.

Grassroots of Central Oregon hopes it can become big enough to provide feed for local horse rescue groups. But for now it is focused on receiving more donations to help individual families care for their horses.