MOUNT ULLA — After Hurricane Helene decimated parts of western North Carolina, it was not just humans who answered the call for aid.

Nestled in western Rowan County, Mountain Mule Packer Ranch was home to nine equines that, on several occasions since Helene’s destruction, have trekked into the mountains to deliver needed supplies to those who lost everything.

Tragedy struck the ranch on Sunday morning. A tree fell onto a fenced enclosure housing the animals, creating a way out for two mules and a Percheron Gelding horse.

“The fencing is not on the road, but set back off the road (Hwy. 801),” ranch owner Michele Toberer said. “They went down a dirt lane to the road about a quarter mile.”

The two mules were Amigo and Kev, and the horse’s name was Vader.

“We received a call that no equine owner ever wants to receive,” the ranch’s Facebook page said.

Toberer explained that after getting down to the road, all three animals were struck and killed by passing motorists.

“We could not be more heartbroken over this incredible loss, and it is with great pain that we share it with you, as we know many of you have also fallen in love with these sweet animals,” the post on the ranch’s Facebook said.

Amigo, Kev and Vader leave behind a legacy of aid. Toberer and her husband Mike run Mountain Mule Packer Ranch, and together, they assist military training exercises, offering their animals to simulate equine transportation of gear and supplies through inhospitable warzone terrains.

“What Mountain Mule Packers does is military training for special forces,” Toberer said. “(Mike) works with Green Berets and Marines. We are working with teams on different things with the mules where they might be using them in support of weapons teams, medical groups and carrying medical supplies and wounded soldiers.”

Michele Toberer said they are also used to carry communications and windmill equipment to set up comms and power in off-grid places. The practice teaches enlisted service men and women skills to use mules or other pack animals that they can get their hands on in other counties to help assist with operations.

Actually, as Hurricane Helene headed for the Carolinas, Mike Toberer and his mules were loaded up to head to South Carolina for a series of military training exercises.

“When the storm happened, we had training with some Marines down in South Carolina scheduled that got canceled because of the storm,” Toberer said. “We had everything loaded up to go to South Carolina. We saw what happened up in the mountains, and (Mike) went up there to assist instead.”

The couple’s mules had been involved in western N.C. relief ever since. They even started a nonprofit called Mission Mules so that they could continue helping out their fellow North Carolinians and neighboring Tennesseans.

“From right after the storm, we have been assisting up there all across the region,” Toberer said. “They started in Montreat, Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Burnsville, Bat Cave and Old Fort.”

They also have helped in Tennessee in places like Embreeville and Butler.

“The supplies varied as the time went on,” Toberer said. “Initially, it was a lot of basic food and medical supplies. It went on to bringing cleaning supplies and heaters and warm gear, tents, sleeping bags and clothing, food, fencing supplies, and building materials and supplies.”

Through it all were Kev, Amigo and Vader.

Now, the Toberers are picking up the pieces. Their nine-animal team has been reduced by a third.

“It’s been rough,” Toberer said. “It’s been pretty hard. We have had livestock our whole life. This is a nightmare that we have always had … We had never had it happen to us, so it was pretty devastating.”

Toberer explained that the pain is felt on multiple levels.

“They are not just pets or animals we ride; they are a part of our business,” she said. “We have lost a third of our workforce. They have been crucial in military training and all the hurricane relief.”

As the ranch processes the loss, an outpouring of community support and love has reaffirmed to the Toberers the value that those three animals brought to the region.

“What has been an extraordinarily painful 24 hours has been lightened by the incredible amount of support and compassion shown by so many of you,” the Toberers said on Facebook. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Through these past few months especially, we have gleaned lessons from the people of WNC about going forward in strength when even the unimaginable happens.”

Toberer said that they have a quote on the Mission Mules site that reads, “In the heart of a mule lies the spirit of persistence, unyielding to the weight of its load.”

Kev, Amigo and Vader never faltered in carrying their load. They will be missed but their contributions to so many during times fraught with so much distress will always be remembered.