Dan was born in Amish Country in Pennsylvania where he was trained as a carriage horse. Pulling carts was not his calling, so in 2006, he ended up at the New Holland Auction. Dan showed signs of abuse and malnutrition when he was bought at the auction by a woman who named him Smoke and allowed him to regain his weight in her pasture. In 2007 Marty Whittle purchased him and named him Dan. In 2009, Dan was shown in the Magic Fund Horse Show at High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center in Old Lyme, Connecticut. He competed a few more times and earned the title of State Reserve Champion in introductory dressage that year.

In 2010, Dan found his forever home with Cyndi Tentinger when her husband, John, bought him for her for Christmas that year! Cyndi, immediately smitten by Dan's personality, dubbed him Dapper Dan. While getting to know each other, Dan and Cyndi participated in EAGALA workshops for the next few years. This work in the field of equine assisted mental health programs points towards Dan’s future and the place he will take several years later in the hearts of CATR students, instructors and volunteers.

On September 22nd, 2016, Dan arrived at CATR, and in the Spring of 2017 he started to participate in the therapeutic riding program. Dan has been a dependable companion for Cyndi, and he helped her through challenging health issues during 2017 and 2018.  Also during this time, Joanie Kellinger got to know Cyndi and Dan and became Dan's second mother.

Very recently, in October 2020, Dan himself experienced a dramatic health crisis. He scratched his left eye, and treatment did not improve the situation. His eye was constantly swollen shut and tearing. It was obvious that Dan was in pain. On December 1st, 2020, a small abscess was detected. By January 1st, 2021, Dan’s eye was still tearing, painful and often closed. Upon examination by the ophthalmologist a fungal infection deep in the eye was diagnosed. After six weeks of treatment not much improvement was observed and Dan had to return to the equine clinic to meet the ophthalmologist. If Dr. Anne Cook was not able to detect progress, the affected eye would have to be removed. Removing an eye can be detrimental and completely disorienting for the horse.

Dr. Cook observed some revitalization of the eye and decided to re-inject it one last time. When no improvement was seen after ten days, the surgical removal of Dan's left eye was scheduled. Everyone in Dan's life wasdevastated. Four days before the scheduled surgery to remove the eye it suddenly improved, and the operation was canceled!

We are thrilled to report that as of April 30th no more treatment is needed for Dapper Dan. He will return to his work in the therapeutic riding program in the fall. We know he will be welcomed with open arms and hearts by the students who worked with him in the past, and he will also form new friendships. 

We love you, Dan! A special thanks to Cyndi and Joanie for sharing this special horse with CATR's students.