Barbara “Barb” Bern grew up in northwest Chicago with a single mom and two much older siblings. Money was scarce; she was often alone. When her sister started dressage lessons, an ember began to glow within her heart. “I was drawn to horses,” she said. “I was always going to live in Kentucky because of the horses.”
The Army was Barb’s ticket out of the projects. Once discharged, she remained in Germany for three years to train with a renowned riding coach. Then, in 1986, she fulfilled her dream of moving to Kentucky.
“Horses saved my life,” she said, “they really did.”
After a long career as a caregiver in the medical arts, Barb retired from her role as a cardiologist’s physician’s assistant. She met her partner, John Ford, through onlyfarmers.com and moved to his farm in Maysville. Two horses, Solo, 10, and Ollie, 14, went with her.
Then Covid hit. Caring for her horses provided solace and companionship. Once safe, Barb’s heart led her to volunteer at the Mason County Animal Shelter. “I always felt that if you could do something good, you should do it,” she said.
She was shocked by the shelter’s “terrible” conditions. Having no previous rescue experience, Barb summoned her Army training. Seeking advice from Kentucky Humane Society, nonprofit Team Shelter USA and the Mason County judge-executive, she was off to the proverbial races.
Meanwhile her neighbor, Kelly Gallagher, a giant teddy bear of a man, had morphed a casual backyard concert into a fundraiser for animals. It was pure coincidence he asked her to buy tickets. The ember sparked a fire in Barb’s belly and Rock4Rescue was born.
The first event showcased four local bands, held just over the bridge at Jethro’s Tiki Hut in Aberdeen, Ohio. For the past two years, the fundraiser has been held at Washington Opera House in downtown Maysville. The last two shows, featuring the AC/DC and Fleetwood Mac tribute bands Thunderstruck and Back to Mac, sold out.
Local veterinarian J.T. Williams II provides spay and neuter services for the shelter and has worked closely with Barb for the past three years. ”She struck me as someone that had a vision and was determined to see that out ,” he said. “She seemed to me to be the type of person who would follow through. And she has.”
To date, Rock4Rescue has raised more than $25,000, fostered and adopted out 335 dogs, transferred another 448 dogs to partnering shelters and paid for 303 spays and neuters. But what Barb is most proud of is that Mason County Animal Shelter no longer euthanizes dogs.
“Rock4Rescue has really made a difference in the community,” J.T. said.
Barb recently returned from a “life-changing” trip to Iceland. But she has also experienced frightening post-Covid cardiac complications. Caring for her horses provides much-needed ballast and stress relief. “Anywhere that I am,” she said, “I’m going to find horses.”
