Two horses will attend celebration of late Yellowknife veterinarian

Two horses are making the 15-hour journey from southern Alberta to attend Thursday’s celebration of life for Dr Tom Pisz.

Sienna Hart Kellar, a former student of Dr Pisz at Yellowknife’s North Country Stables, is bringing the horses from her farm in Bowden.

It’s a long but important journey for Hart Kellar, who is bringing the horses up to honour Dr Pisz and raise awareness of plans to bring horses back to Yellowknife.

Dr Pisz, a veterinarian and owner of Great Slave Animal Hospital and North Country Stables, lived in Yellowknife for more than 30 years before he passed away on June 11 at the age of 68.

Obituary: Behind a gruff exterior, a ‘big softie’ – remembering Dr Tom Pisz

“The first time I saw a horse in Yellowknife, Tom was giving pony rides at [the] Canada Day parade,” Hart Kellar said.

“He deserves horses at his funeral.”

Hart Kellar planned to complete the drive over Tuesday night and Wednesday with two horses, Keevah and Penny.

Keevah and Penny will provide pony rides for kids at the celebration of life, which will be held at Yellowknife’s North Country Stables on Thursday, July 18 at 4pm.

The event will include a send-off from Dr Pisz’s daughters, Jola and Mila, and the presentation of a plaque in honour of Dr Pisz.

Hart Kellar describes Penny as tried and true for anyone, and Keevah as a ham.

“The kids will love her,” she said.