|
Cathy Homer was born in Spangler, PA and grew up in Cherry Tree, PA. She is very close to her family, her mother Florence (the Queen Mum) along with a sister and 5 brothers. After high school, Cathy attended IUP, majoring in Biology / Pre-veterinary. She graduated from Indiana Area School of Practical nursing in 1974 and began working in hospitals and nursing homes. Cathy was hired at Ebensburg Center in 1975 and married Mike Mahalko a few months later.
Cathy and Mike lived in Nanty Glo, PA to be near Mike's parents, and Cathy also became the Nanty Glo dog officer in the 1980's. They raised and showed Great Danes starting in 1976, and got into rescue/adoption in the 1980's. Cathy no longer breeds and shows dogs but does rescue and adoptions of dogs (specializing in Great Danes), cats, horses, ponies, birds, and turtles. Most recently she rescued "Princess Suki Joy", a Jack Russell terrier who ran onto the road and was hit by Cathy's car. When her owner found out the costs of caring for the injured dog, she didn't want her and told Cathy "if you want her, keep her."
During the years in Nanty Glo, Cathy and Mike started their business Joust Horses, and the couple drew up the plans for Dane Castle, finally had it built, and move into it on September 11, 2002. And they lived happily ever after...
(the date was important to them because as Cathy once said, "So many people lost their lives and dreams on September 11, 2001, this was our way to honor them by our dream coming true.")
Cathy has since retired from the Ebensburg Center and is enjoying her retirement with her beloved husband and the danes.
|
