The Rolling Dog Ranch received the distinguished Animal Action Award last month from the International Fund for Animals, marking the first time an animal welfare organization in the U.S. has received such recognition.

Steve Smith and Elayne Marker, who together founded the Rolling Dog Ranch in Helmville in 2000, called the award a great honor. In just seven years, the ranch has gained international attention for its care of blind horses and its treatment of other disabled animals.

"They went to the public and started out with nominations," Marker said. "It's a great feeling and a tremendous honor. We were just blown away by it."

In the seven years since the couple founded the Rolling Dog Ranch, the organization's reputation has grown exponentially.

Owners of blind horses have called or written from as far away as Poland and Denmark seeking advice. A recent conference among equine ophthalmologists in Florida cited the ranch as a leading source in caring for blind horses.

Earlier this year, Smith and Marker appeared on the Today Show. They've been featured in recent articles by USA Today and People magazine. The producer of the Today Show, the story goes, caught wind of the ranch by browsing videos on You Tube.

"It's a great message for the animals here," Marker said. "It's amazing how quickly we have grown, and how quickly we've become known, not just in Montana and the U.S., but abroad."

Smith recently posted one such video to You Tube, exploiting the silly antics of a blind Dachshund named Callie.

The video has received nearly 80,000 hits. It was also picked up by Break.com, a similar video site where it has received more than 250,000 hits.

"Most of the dogs go into the dog cottage at night, but you've got to let everyone out for one last pit stop," Marker explained. "Callie gets all snuggled up. She loves to sleep on her back. She knows when the time comes to go out, and she just plays dead."

Aside from posting wacky animal videos, Smith also maintains a daily blog, detailing the trials and tribulations at the ranch. Marker said the effort works in getting the word out and helps build a connection with supporters and the general public.

"It gives our supporters a nice insight to our daily operations," Marker said. "We want people to know the animals and know what's going on. We want for everyone to feel like they're a part of things here."

The ranch now cares for roughly 80 animals, including 40 dogs. Of its 33 horses, 27 are blind. One horse is sway-backed, and another was rescued from a Ravalli County abuse case. Yet another suffers from unstable vertebrae in its neck and wobbles as a result.

Aided by volunteers, including several from Helena, the couple works hard to care for the animals the ranch takes in, striving to show that despite disabilities they can still lead a quality life. Using the Internet, Marker said, has helped get their message beyond Montana.

"When people see this they see the fun, they see the life, and they see the joy," Marker said. "We like to see the videos get out on You Tube because it gets people watching, and it dispels that myth that a disabled animal can't have a quality life."

In recent years, thanks to donations, the Rolling Dog Ranch has built a new barn adapted for blind horses and an oversized cottage for dogs.

However, Marker said, operating costs continue to rise. Last year's vet bill came to $42,000 while feeding costs, at $39,000, ran a close second.

"This last summer, the labor for us was hard with the way the season was -- the fires and dryness," Marker said. "The grass just wasn't there. When it came to caring for the horses, we had to grain everybody. When you've got horses spread out on 160 acres, it gets to be a lot of work."

But Marker said the effort will continue to move forward at the ranch, tucked beside the hamlet of Helmville near the Blackfoot River.

"We'll work with other horse rescuers when they call us," Marker said. "Maybe in time we'll see more groups out there willing to take in blind horses."

Reporter Martin Kidston: 447-4086 or mkidston@helenair. com.