Our Handlers & Santa's

I have always had a lifelong dream and love of animals, besides reindeer, I was a former K9 trainer handler with narcotics detection K9 that worked in local schools and for the OAG/BNI thru 1998. My greatest contribution was post 9/11/2001 attacks.  NYNJ Port Authority Officer Dave Lim, lost his explosive detection K9 partner Sirius in a tower collapse.  Miraculously Lim survived and helped countless evacuate, he lost his beloved partner. I completed a campaign to replace his K9 through local donations.  Sprig another fully trained explosives K9 from Makor K9 was presented to Officer Lim. This was a pinnacle point in my first responder career.  I was a also former paramedic and firefighter until a stroke in 2015 ending my career as a first responder.   however my reindeer dream still tugged at my heart, and after several years  doing required internships to allow to import reindeer into PA along with licensing, financing and building a dream it came to fruition at age 47.   It would be a short 2 years in reindeer when I had my previously mentioned stoke and other health issues, it brought my actual handling and my paramedic/FF career to an end. My animals have always been my pure comfort and emotional support thru my disabilities and PTSD. a former Vice President of Reindeer Farmer's Association, and I writes a newsletter "Reindeer Handler" monthly which appears on this site for other reindeer owners. I am proud I was a former first responder, and take pride in the fact people with disabilities can contribute in any goal they believe in.

  I resigned as a Paramedic/FF as of Jan 1 2022, was a DOH, AHA, and PSFA Local Level Instructor and achieved the rank of captain in the fire service.

I was a service canine handler with Prince "Damien" Royale who was trained and worked in narcotics/firearm detection as well as protection.

Reindeer have an uncanny ability to bring joy into our lives, they do more for us then we could ever do for them, The best moments are those random unexpected instances where they bring out the Christmas spirit and give us a higher purpose for being here. The magic in seeing a reindeer let alone touching or feeding one continues to this day whether you're an eighty year old brought to tears at the first sight of one, a blind person who feels their fur, antlers and breath on them, or their owner who is given a reason to continue living despite all the trauma in her life. All these magical moments and so many more are what keep us going so that the reindeer can continue their precious reindeer legacy,

  I've been helping my mom and Scott since they brought home 1st reindeer, Donner & Blitzen.   Cupid is one of my favorite reindeer, and I do a lot of tiktok videos with her.  I also like Rudy and his personality and calm behavior. Jack Frost is a character, i like handling him. Some of my favorite/funniest memories are of Donner, when he would cheat playing Ready, Set, Go...and when he spit a cookie out at a kid being bad, Donner never spit out cookies, he would count to 5 to get them.  Donner was my favorite, and I honestly believe there will never be another Donner. The best part of standing outside in the cold doing events is the food trucks, when they have them. The Cluck Truck was the best at our annual Lighting of the Christmas Ship on the US Brig Niagara a warship from Battle of Lake Erie during the war of 1812.  I hope to keep Apthorp Farms Inc going, especially for my daughter Brooke who adores the reindeer.

 Brooke was born into this farm, she has cared for  everything from chickens, geese, ducks, emu a bunny, a cat, dogs and of course reindeer.  Brooke is our granddaughter and a beautiful soul who loves animals more than her grandma Deb.  It is our hopes to think one day this will be hers and her father and uncles, time will tell. Until then the love and nurturing she is. It only strengthens and grows with every year. Her first reindeer was Prancer we lost in 2015, she is happy here with Faith born in 2019.  Although Brooke is still young her dreams often changes but has never strayed far from animals, we are an animal family who loves, helps and supports all God's creatures. Whether Brooke becomes a veterinarian, zoo keeper or unicorn trainer (her secret belief they exist) We all know she will surpass the love and care she exhibits and knows so effortlessly.

I was lucky enough to be born into an animal loving family, with a big sister with big goals and dreams. My big sister was my first teacher and taught me how to respect animals and treat them with love. I have helped Apthorp Farms, but even better, has had the distinct pleasure to call these gentle creatures her nieces and nephews. From the start of it all, I have loved these great additions to the family. While not a first responder, I have dedicated my professional life to helping students attain higher education and successfully complete their degrees. 

Service runs deep in the family, and I have volunteered over the years with Apthorp Farms, Harborcreek Senior Apartments, Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation and Because You Care.  My favorite event is anywhere I get to be with the Reindeer and see the smiles they bring to the children's faces. For just a moment, you get to see the wonder of Christmas though a child's eye - your year is made! I also likes taking selfies with my nieces and nephews, and especially loves Reindeer noses!

 Bio coming Soon

 My mom has been an important part of this dream since, .... well my birth, teaching us to care for animals even tolerating me ruining her blender to mash up worms to feed a baby bird, "Chirpper" who fell for one of our maples at our childhood home. My parents cared for my 2 doberman at a difficult time during military time stationed at K.I.Sawyer AFB my parents always taught us to do the right thing regardless of work or finding an easier way out.  My mom, and my dad, had he survived his cancer love their 4 legged pseudo grand kids. My mom has supported our farm dream 1000% she sews costumes for handlers and reindeer alike, creating coloring books for kids to have on farm tours, and especially babysitting her grand dogs on emergency trips to OSU with sick reindeer.  She makes countless home-cooked meals during the ever busy display season.  My mom has always helped in quiet humbleness, and has even obtained an Army certificate of Appreciation Award for her participation in making Stoles for Edinboro University ROTC students since 2015.  Service to others was taught to us by our mother and father since we were children, not only that but to do so with humility and never expect anything in return.  Some of my mother's other contributions include the St. Stanislaus Moms Club, St. Stanislaus Sports Boosters, St. Benedict's Academy Soccer Record Keeper, Kanzius Cancer research foundation and Parents of Diabetic Children Association. 

 As a 2nd generation farmer, my dad still doesn't believe we are 3rd generation farmers let alone reindeer farmers.  As a Navy veteran, and later as a business owner he took the time to teach his craft in HVAC to me, and encouraged me to become and engineer all throughout my college years.  Dan loves animals having pets on his farm like a pig or goat. He always asks about the reindeer, dogs and chickens at our farm.  Dan loved his 19yr old Miniature Pincher, "Pepi" that was a Christmas gift to him by us 15years ago.  Dan was a Boy Scout father who helped at  camping outings. Dan also worked hard to support his family  with his HVAC business, he would help families in need going to to rural communities ensuring dairy farmers milk stayed cold or if a family needed heat yet could only pay with farm produce in return.