Today is Animal Sanctuary Caregivers Day – a day to honor the hard work that sanctuary caregivers do every day.
J.B. and I would like to give a huge thanks to all of the caregivers at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest, including current staff caregivers (all of whom contribute to this blog among their other varied duties!): Katelyn, Anna, Kelsi, Chad, Grace, Jenna, Sofía, and Sabrina; current Level III volunteer caregivers: Lizz, Keri, Elizabeth, Patti, Lisa, Anthony, Courtney, Krissy, and Dusty, and to all of the interns, volunteers and former staff and volunteer caregivers!!
Since expanding the sanctuary and welcoming the Wildlife Waystation chimpanzees over the last few years, we have also expanded the number of paid caregiving staff. This was necessary to properly care for the chimpanzees, but has also been a boon to the sanctuary because each person who has worked here brings their own unique ideas, experience, and perspective that help improve the care of the chimpanzees and bovines and advance the sanctuary in so many ways.
Caregiving is not an easy occupation physically or emotionally, and it takes a special kind of person to do this work. Burnout and compassion fatigue are serious issues amongst sanctuary caregivers, so it’s important that they know how valued and appreciated they are.
We are incredibly lucky to have this crew of talented and caring humans that have chosen to work for the sanctuary and have embraced the difficult aspects of the job along with the joyous moments.
Thank you all. We love you!
Katelyn with Dora:
Anna with Foxie:
Kelsi with Negra:
Chad with Burrito:
Grace with Cy & Lucky:
Jenna with Jamie:
Sofía with Nutmeg:
Sabrina with Lucky:
tomaustin says
An extremely dedicated group of humans for the benefit of our extended families around the world……THANK YOU…
Kathleen says
I cannot begin to thank each and everyone of you enough. I could never find the words to truly express how grateful I am that caring and unique individuals like you exist on this earth. I see you. I appreciate you! I full heartedly support the work and effort you put in each and every day. YOU and your bottomless hearts make sanctuary possible.
Here’s to you! I send warm hugs and deep gratitude. xoxo
On another note, I want to say that I am aware of compassion fatigue. I know your situation is entirely different, but it is a topic of concern for those that work in animal welfare as a whole, and in my experience, animal shelters. Even the best shelters have staff members and volunteers and caregivers who experience it at some point. I worked with a woman who actually left the profession so she could just focus on compassion fatigue. She took classes, educated herself, and created a new career path for herself. Some thought it was crazy and saw the change as placing her in an entirely different career path. But it was right in line with everything she was already doing in — protecting the animals. You can’t take care of the animals if the people taking care of the animals are suffering.
Ann Lloyd says
Its lovely to see the staff who care for the hairy residents and cattle! Thank you so much for caring for them so well! I do love to see them and I was so upset when Jody passed away and you let the say their goodbyes to her. I have always loved apes and monkeys since I was a child growing up in London and being taken to London Zoo in Regents Park! Keep up the good work!:flag_gb::clap::clap:
Tobin says
When I consider the work, intelligence, compassion and commitment of the caregivers, past and present, of the CSNW, the words of a David Bowie song immediately comes to mind:. “We can be heroes…”.
On behalf of her memory, I thank you caregivers beyond words for the care and life which you provided to our beloved Jody and all her friends and neighbors at the sanctuary.
Marie says
Thank You:rose:…. For Fighting and Caring for the most Vulnerable….. Whose Voices are left unheard. Your Love and Care is Everything and an Example of what Compassion and Sacrifice is….:sunflower::heartpulse:
Ken & Sonny says
so many thanks to everyone. your hard work everyday is greatly appreciated. 🙂
Maureen says
Yes. Absolutely. Thank you to the caregivers who give so much and who’ve gained the trust and respect of the chimps. You work so hard, and I believe compassion fatigue is a very real and very frightening effect. I don’t think anyone would begrudge you any time off you may need to take to take care of yourself. In the meantime, it’s wonderful to see you work with and for our chimp friends, and to laugh with them and to care for them. You have my everlasting awe and support.
Arlene and Michael says
What a wonderful picture! Thank you to all of you amazing people who give your time, love, skill, energy, care and compassion to animals in need . Your dedication is inspiring and deeply appreciated. Please take some time for yourselves, as you so deserve that. You are our heroes! Love and Hugs to you.