BERWICK -- Neil Young, owner of Young's Funny Farm, is feeling blue. His therapy animals are grounded due to mechanical problems on the trailer used to transport them.

"We are shut down unless someone can lend us a trailer," Young said Wednesday.

The axle has to be replaced on the trailer. It will take two weeks to get the parts and have it fixed by a Turbotville garage. The axle work will cost $700 to $1,000.

"The week before, I had the Suburban and trailer in for preventive maintenance. It was a freak accident," he said of the axle breaking on the trailer.

Following their first visit to the Children's Home in Reading, the Suburban broke down on the way home. "We got to a car dealer with the help of a tow truck, and he fixed it as his own expense," Young said. That took a couple of days.

The three therapy donkeys were in the trailer, and they were left there overnight. "A volunteer brought them home the next day," he said.

Therapy dog Timmie and two ducks also were in the Suburban.

Young was hoping to make visits every week for 10 weeks to the children's home.

"We were doing so good this year, but now a lot of things have gone wrong," he said of the nonprofit organization, which doesn't charge for visits.

The animals are scheduled to be at Tractor Supply in Bloomsburg on Saturday and St. Joseph's Rehabilitation in Scranton on Monday.

He and his wife, Vonnie, do not use donations for their personal use or for expenses unrelated to the animals. Money donated is used for the care and feeding of the animals.

They usually take the animals to visit schools, nursing homes and hospitals.

People interested in helping may call 752-2896 or e-mail youngsfunnyfarm@gmail.com.

n E-mail comments to kblackledge@dailyitem.com.