He Helps Rescue Horses

State Senator Bill Diamond is known for serving many roles, including those of Maine's Secretary of State, the first principal of Manchester School, a superintendent of Raymond Schools, a small business owner, a longtime Windham resident, a husband and a father. A role for which he may be less well-known has been part of his life for nearly two decades, as Board Member and now Treasurer of the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. In that capacity, he helps rescue and rehabilitate abused, neglected horses.

"The MSSPA is a key organization," Diamond said. "It provides a valuable resource to the state. In many cases our organization is the first one called when there are large animals in need, especially horses."

The MSSPA is the only large animal facility in the Northeast that has 24-hour staff and access to veterinarian care 24-7. Abused or neglected animals that have been seized by Maine law enforcement officers often live out their lives on the MSSPA farm, or are adopted out to forever homes.

The state depends on the MSSPA considerably, Diamond said, because the state government doesn't have money to deal with all of the cases of animal cruelty and neglect that occur in Maine. Since the MSSPA is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that does not receive any federal, state, or local funding, its existence relieves a considerable weight from the government's budgetary burden. The services the MSSPA provides are worth nearly one million dollars each year, according to Meris Bickford, MSSPA Vice President of External Affairs.

"A lot of the MSSPA's work has been invisible," Diamond said, "but they serve a key and critical role for the state. We are working to raise the Society's visibility and increase awareness of its long history of horse rescue."

Diamond first became involved with the MSSPA at the request of the organization's then president, Lawrence J. Keddy. Diamond was Maine's Secretary of State at the time and was in a unique position to help with legislation relating to animal cruelty and abuse. Diamond and others in the Senate are currently working on some mid-level bills related to animal cruelty and keeping an eye on puppy mill situations and other cruelty situations "that we and every state have," he said.

"I think we have made wonderful improvements in these areas," Diamond said. "But it's important to stay on top of it."

In addition to enacting legislation to help prevent cruelty toward animals, Diamond believes that the long-term viability of MSSPA must be ensured in order to keep on top of the animal cruelty problem. "Fundraising is critical for the MSSPA," Diamond said. "We need to continue building our endowment with the help of anyone who understands and supports the Society's mission." Senator Diamond indicated that dues, donations, and bequests are divided between operating and endowment accounts.

Getting the word out about the MSSPA's work is vital for the longevity of the organization, Diamond said, and thus for the continued care of abused and neglected animals from across Maine. Public recognition for the MSSPA's efforts, such as the receipt of a 2007 American Red Cross Real Heroes Award, helps to spread the word about the organization's invaluable work.

As for the current status of the MSSPA, Diamond said that the organization is in good stead under the strong and able leadership of President Marilyn Goodreau. "Our board of directors stays involved without being "hands-on" at the River Road farm. Everyone on the board has such confidence in Marilyn," he said.

Surely, however, the continued success of any nonprofit rests not only with its President, but also with its Board of Directors. With committed, engaged board members like Senator Bill Diamond, the MSSPA is in able hands indeed.

Submitted by, Rebecca Fraser-Thill, Volunteer.

Rebecca Fraser-Thill is a Windham resident, freelance writer, and lecturer in psychology at Bates College. Her work has been featured in The Maine Switch, The Windham Independent, The Georgetown Review, and a variety of psychology publications. She can be reached through her website, www.rftwriting.com.