Mini horse Cookie to serve as community ambassador for Monterey County Sheriff’s Office
By Ricardo Tovar
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SALINAS, California (KSBW) — The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office announced that a miniature horse will be sworn in as an “Honorary Community Ambassador.”
Cookie, a 15-year-old miniature horse, will be sworn in on Wednesday.
The sheriff’s office says Cookie was rescued from a “slaughterhouse pipeline” and was severely malnourished.
She was rescued from a Texas “kill pen,” where she had been scheduled to be sent to Mexico for slaughter. According to the sheriff’s office, she was also suffering from multiple health issues.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Deputy Rebecca Gordano saw a social media post announcing Cookie’s arrival at a rescue in Paso Robles. Gordano had recently lost a horse and was seeking a companion for her blind donkey, Violet.
Cookie was adopted and is being raised at the Gordano family’s small farm in Monterey County, along with 30 rescued animals, including pigs, sheep, dogs, cats, turkeys and chickens.
Over the past year and a half, Cookie has made an extraordinary transformation. Once timid and withdrawn, she is now social and curious and enjoys interacting with people—especially children. “Her gentle nature has made her a symbol of compassion and second chances. Her care and well-being are funded 100% by the Gordano family,” the sheriff’s office said in a press release.
Cookie’s first public appearance will be at the Salinas Farm Day event on Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Salinas Sports Complex.
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