Ocala canine named Farm Dog of the Year

Sirius, the Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year, poses with his equine friend Mercury. [Photo courtesy Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses]

The local herd of equines known as the Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses are protected by their human owners as well as a team of “guardian angels,” or Maremma sheepdogs. One of the latter, Sirius, recently was named the Farm Bureau Farm Dog of the Year.

Jorge and Debbie Garcia-Bengochea, owners of the nonprofit Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, traveled to San Antonio, Texas, to accept the award on Jan. 26 during American Farm Bureau Federation Convention.

Gentle Carousel’s teams of tiny horses bring love to thousands of adults and children each year inside hospitals, hospice programs, assisted living programs and with families, veterans and first responders who have experienced traumatic events. The horses work with medical professionals in oncology units, intensive care units and with occupational, speech and physical therapists. The nonprofit will celebrate its 28th anniversary this year.

According to materials provided by Debbie Garcia-Bengochea, recognizing the vital role that four-legged friends often play on family farms and ranches, Farm Bureau launched the Farm Dog of the Year award seven years ago. Rounding up livestock, chasing off predators, opening gates, fetching or carrying tools/buckets and greeting visitors are among the many tasks performed by farm dogs. The contest celebrates the diverse ways farm dogs support farmers and ranchers.

“Farm dogs often play a dual role as both working dogs and companions to farm and ranch families,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall, in the release. “Farming is very rewarding but stressful at times. Farm dogs can help ease the burden. It has been a pleasure partnering with Purina for the seventh annual Farm Dog of the Year contest, providing the public a glimpse of daily life on the farm.”

“Guardian dogs are like having a 24-7 security system on the farm,” Jorge Garcia-Bengochea said. “I feel great about the farm being safe, and very proud of what Sirius is doing to protect the horses.”

A panel of judges with expertise in the pet care industry, veterinary medicine and communications selected the winning canine.

“With support from Nestlé Purina PetCare, he was awarded a $5,000 cash prize, a year’s supply of Purina Pro-Plan dog food, a trophy plate, a large Purina products basket and more. We also were able to watch the short film they made about Sirius, with thousands of people in the audience,” Debbie shared.

Sirius is 6 years old. He is from a livestock guardian breed from Italy. The Gentle Carousel website notes that Maremma sheepdogs are usually solid white, but Sirius was born with spots. When he was 2 months old, Mercury, a blue-eyed miniature horse, was born on the farm. He also has spots and an unusual color pattern. The two are characters in the book “Mercury & Sirius,” which is featured during Gentle Carousel’s Reading With Horses literacy programs.

To learn more about the nonprofit, go to gentlecarouseltherapyhorses.com and find them on social media.

Jorge Garcia-Bengochea, executive director of Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses, holds the book written by his wife Debbie Garcia-Bengochea about Sirius and Mercury. [Photo courtesy Gentle Carousel Miniature Therapy Horses]