families thanks to the Park with Pets policy , and Nungesser was thrilled to help effectuate that change . “ A percentage of our cabins are dog friendly and you can bring up to two dogs per cabin ,” says Nungesser . A surcharge of $ 40 per dog covers their entire stay . “ That was important to get done and Louisiana ’ s weather is good most of the year so people can bring their pets to our state parks 12 months a year and enjoy them . People want to travel with their pets on vacations or trips , so it would be great for entrepreneurs to consider helping to build more of these pet-friendly cabins through public-private partnerships . Also , with dogs , people love that local communities are building dog parks where their pets can run free and visit with other dogs , as well as more pet-friendly Louisiana hotels being available .”
Forever a proponent of wildlife conservation , Nungesser encourages others to get out and see all of the wildlife Louisiana offers . “ An incredible treat for kids is to experience the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom , where they come in close contact with free-roaming bison , zebras and other animals from all over the world ,” says Nungesser . “ And we want kids to get out and see deer and all the birds at our state parks , and we actually have bears in the state parks in North Louisiana .”
Horse lovers abound in Louisiana and its horse industry , which generates over $ 2 billion annually , has been historically important to the state . “ Horse racing has been a big part of Louisiana , and we ’ re promoting it at the different tracks around the state and trying
28 to lure some major sporting events like a Breeder ’ s Cup to Louisiana ,” says Nungesser , who along with the Louisiana Office of Tourism touts equestrian tourism . “ We ’ re also highlighting horse breeding and other activities like recreational horseback riding at the state parks and we ’ re looking for more private-public partners to bring their horses into a park ; we ’ ll give them space , help them clear the trails , they make money and it gives us another activity to offer in some of our state parks .”
That strong connection between horses and humans resonates with Nungesser , and before entering elected office he founded the Pointe Celeste Therapeutic Riding Center for mentally and physically challenged people , which brought joy to many mentally and physically challenged people through horseback riding during the years it was open . “ I ’ d volunteered for a riding center in Laplace and saw this little girl ’ s life change when she got out of the wheelchair ,” says Nungesser . “ I went back the next week and lifted the same little girl and when we started to walk it began raining and they cancelled class , and that little girl gripped my hand and did not want to get back in that wheelchair . So I made a promise that day that if I could ever afford it , I ’ d build a covered arena where they ’ d never cancel class . Little did I know seven years later I ’ d sell my container company and build that arena . We had 20 specially trained horses that my wife and I stayed behind during Katrina to look after , and we were taking care of approximately 200 kids and adults with special needs at no cost to them or their families and I saw miracles happen . A little girl paralyzed at age seven
Life Unleashed