- April 26, 2025
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Nik and Erendira Wallenda, both world renowned aerialists, had their feet firmly planted on the ground at Nate's Honor Animal Rescue in Lakewood Ranch, even though it was obvious they were floating on Cloud 9.
They had come to the rescue April 16 to present a check for $125,000 to Rob Oglesby, the board president and development director for Nate's. The check will be a nice boost to the rescue's $16 million Journey Home capital campaign that has funded a renovation five years in the making.
The donation came courtesy of the Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory, who collaborated on the holiday spectacle, "Wonderland: Illuminate," which was presented during the holiday season under the Big Top at University Town Center. Nate's Honor Animal Rescue was selected as the show's charity partner.
Nik and Erendira Wallenda made it obvious they love the show's decision to support Nate's. The couple toured the facility, which will be fully open this summer, hugging dogs all along the way.
"Every time we pull in here, it is amazing," Nik Wallenda said. "This is premier ... I've never seen anything like this. It looks like an amusement park."
The highlight of the rescue will be the 23,000-square foot Welcome and Adoption Center, which will house a veterinary clinic, an education center, a maternity ward, a parvo ward, event space, a restaurant, an apartment for students on a veterinary externship, and seven catios.
The expansion will double dog capacity to approximately 100 dogs, and will create a kitty city.
The Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory came to Nate's last year to donate $108,377.09 from the Wonderland show. Nik Wallenda said he hopes that donation continues to increase every year.
"This is what we want to get behind," Nik Wallenda said.
He explained the care and attention to detail that he puts into every one of his shows and presentations for both audience enjoyment and for the safety of those involved. Likewise, he said he can tell the care that goes into every facet of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue.
"We know that Nate is (the late) Nathan Benderson, and we know everything the Bendersons do is done with excellence," Nik Wallenda said. "Everything is done right.
"Getting behind an organization that does everything with excellence is easy to do."
Oglesby is ecstatic that not only have the Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory embraced the effort, but that Wonderland has been such a success.
"A donation like this is huge," Oglesby said. "Mostly we live off $75, $100 and $500 donations and that is fine. It all works.
"But this ..."
Oglesby said when someone with the fame of the Wallendas makes a big donation, it even has a carryover effect as news spreads out of state and attracts support from around the country.
"We saw a little blip last year," Oglesby said of nationwide donations after the Wallendas and the Circus Arts Conservatory made their donation.
Nik Wallenda said having vets on staff and in-house care will make a big difference.
"Because of it, I think you will see rescues and adoptions increase," he said.
He said those people in the area who pause before adopting because of the high cost of pet medical care will be more likely to go forward if the rescue can offer lower cost care to those who adopt.
Pedro Reis, the co-founder of the Circus Arts Conservatory, said his organization is firmly behind Nate's, which has 12 employees (five part-time) and more than 900 volunteers.
"This is an absolutely worthwhile not-for-profit," he said before the check presentation to Nate's. "The feedback we get about Nate's is 100% positive."
He said the donation to Nate's made sense as a way for the Circus Arts Conservatory to give back to the community.
After the check presentation, Oglesby continue to give tours of the facility to all those present.
Erendira Wallenda continued to scoop up dogs, giving her husband a look as to say, "Let's bring just one more home."
With six dogs already, Nik Wallenda said, "not today."
"This is a challenge (walking through the campus), because we love dogs," Nik Wallenda said.
Oglesby might not have sent a dog home with the Wallendas on April 16, but there's always next year. The new holiday show at UTC under the Big Top will be "Wonderland: Believe."
You can believe the Wallendas will be back in 2026.
"This is our passion," Nik Wallenda said about helping Nate's.
