Animal Immersion

I finally figured out what I want to do with the rest of my life, which is a relief, because I've been pondering this very subject for years. I was so tired of graphic design that it gave me a twitch just thinking about it. Being an administrative assistant was just not for me; it wasn't interesting enough. So after years of volunteering with animals, it finally hit me: "hey, I should work with animals." Ya think? This decisions seemed obvious to everyone except me. After all, I'm the person who, at a party, is talking to and making a fuss over the resident pets. (Instead of the people, who are no doubt very interesting and funny).

Anyhow, after a few months of class work at Pima Medical Institute, I'm doing my externship at a very nice veterinary clinic in Lynnwood. There are lots of former Pima students there, and it's an active teaching hospital, so I'm continuing to learn something new and interesting every day. I come home totally happy and physically exhausted every day. I realize that having a computer job and basically sitting on my rear end for endless years has left me out of shape. I'm looking forward to quickly getting back in shape, what with all the lifting, restraining, and general running around that we do all day, every day at the clinic. It's really great fun.

This week, our more memorable patients were: a bulldog who snored all morning (after surgery); a west highland terrier who had the run of the clinic when we had no other dogs; a guinea pig who needed a nail trim; a cat who hissed and meowed at the same time (try it!); and a teeny chihuahua who trembled like crazy, but was very good for his bath and nail trim.

Among all of the veterinary issues this week, what has really struck me is how much people love their animals. We had several animals in this week who had a variety of life-ending diseases, but their humans are spending the time and effort to keep them comfortable and healthy as possible. These people aren't rich; they just care so much for their pets and have chosen to treat their animals like human family members. I'm not saying that euthanasia is not a kind option for a terminally ill animal: it most definitely is. But these folks just want a little more time with their dear friends. What with all the shootings currently going on in Seattle, and all the bad news you hear every day, it's a nice relief to see such kindness poured out.

Rescue Them Ponies!

Recently, I started volunteering at a horse rescue operation. I know why I volunteer there, but a question has been bugging me, especially since this rescue is currently looking for a grant writer to raise funds.* Why in the world, with such a lousy economy, and many human problems which need addressing, would anyone want to give funds to a horse rescue? Why should anyone even care what happens to horses, which many people see as a luxury item?

These horses have not simply been abandoned. They have been starved and beaten. One horse at the rescue has had his tongue cut almost in half by what I can only guess was cruel restraint. Several of the horses there were seized by the county from a well-meaning and respected horse breeder who simply didn’t ask for financial help with her horses, or simply was too blinded by her own problems or pride to see that she was harming her beloved horses. There is one horse that ended up in the unfortunate situation of lax ownership: he was a local champion racehorse, and ended up in the stock yards for slaughter. A watchful person recognized him before it was too late. You know what’s weird though? All of these horses seem to be willing to give new humans another chance, after all that they have endured. Some are beginning to trust again.

So, why not just euthanize these guys and put them out of their misery? Because their new human companions want to give them a measure of comfort in exchange for the torture they have endured. Because as horse lovers, we can’t turn away. Because as humans we feel moved to provide comfort where there is pain and fear, and animal suffering is a hot button issue for many people. Because as a civilized society, we take care of those who don’t have a voice.

Those are the emotional issues, but what are the practical issues? If this rescue gets a grant to manage its manure collection and disposal system, the local environment benefits, and the earth benefits by having properly composted materials returned to gardens. If they get a grant for a new barn, there will be a beautiful, safe new place to store hay, tack, and house more horses, not to mention the great aesthetic improvement to the property and the neighborhood in which the rescue sits (the current storage situation is unattractive but affordable).

Rescued horses have another chance. Some will never be ridden again, but that’s not the case with most of the horses. Some will lead productive lives as mounts, companions, show horses, and as any horse owner can tell you, a life-long pal who just happens to be a great “therapist”. Horses can be used to rescue people, as well. In many cases, people have been helped by simply working with horses. You can’t be violent with horses and achieve good results. The only way to achieve great results with a horse is to treat him with the same behaviors which make for a good human life: healthy boundaries, firm but kind expression of your wishes, and working together. The only real difference is that the person needs to be the leader in the relationship with the horse, but a kind, decisive leader, sort of like a parent.

Luxury items or not, the good I get from the horses outweighs the good they get from me, I’m sure! (Although I hope they like the clean, poo-free paddocks I leave behind when I go home).

*Are you a grant writer? Contact me.