When one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit Florida marched on shore in September, HOPE members were ready to deploy. Teams came from across the US to aid those affected by such a devasting event. Here is a first person account written by Janel Zuranski, MWR.
It is with a grateful heart, on many levels, that I write this. Thanks to the support, flexibility, and kindness of VCA corporate and my coworkers, my dog Moose and I were able to be part of the response team after Hurricane Ian.
Moose and I deployed with Heather Pontious and Kami, Kristen Smith and Comet, Angela Moe and Sunny, Rebecca Engelter and Ella, and William Engelter team leader. Wednesday morning our Michigan and Illinois teams met at Midway airport to check in. Part of the HOPE training involves airport TSA exercises. All of the dogs went through like they had done it all of their lives.
Southwest Airlines treated us like rock stars for the entire trip. In order to arrange the dogs at the bulkhead where they would have room at our feet we boarded first and got settled. The pilots and crew loved the dogs, and we have never seen more passenger smiles on a flight. All of the dogs were perfect on the flight, and got some good nap time in.
After landing in Tampa we picked up 2 rental cars and headed to 2 separate homes near Fort Myers. They both were owned by members’ friends, unharmed by the storm, and graciously opened for us to stay at no charge. The generosity is very appreciated. One of our tenets is not to take any resources that will be needed by people affected by the reason we have been deployed. Hotels were filled by people who now had no home to go back to, and first responders from all over the country.
The next deployment day our teams went to a rec center turned into an emergency housing facility. There was a large population here of homeless families and people with chronic medical challenges. Our dogs sensed the chaos and required more support
The second shelter we visited was an arena that housed hundreds of displaced residents. The atmosphere was calmer. It was 2 weeks post hurricane, and many had been here long enough to get settled in and familiar. Families and pets in crates did their best to make this feel homier. One woman had people sign her red cross blanket and was going to make it into a piece of art – remembering the strength and love brought out by difficult circumstances.
Our first working day took our teams to sites supporting the first responders network. Dispatch center operators, many of whom had come from across the country, took comfort in time with our dogs. They were 2 weeks post hurricane, and had taken some of the most difficult calls of their careers. We went from there to the Lee County Emergency Operations Center, the sheriff’s office call center, Real Time Intelligence Center, and offices of staff members.
In the afternoon, when our team leader verified that it was safe and would not interfere with residents or first responders, we got the go-ahead to visit Fort Myers beach. The devastation was beyond imagination.
Time to go home. Everyone is exhausted and forever changed by this experience. We have witnessed first-hand resilience, love, and deep compassion between friends, family members, and strangers. Our mission to provide comfort and encouragement has been accomplished.
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
Robert Brandkamp, PNW
Bella, a 6 year old mini Australian Labradoodle, and I have had the privilege of being HOPE members in the PNW Region since 2019. It has been an amazing journey allowing us the honor to work alongside other terrific HOPE team members while providing comfort to countless people in many settings and situations.
Our journey started out as our high school aged daughter’s plan. She wanted a Labradoodle. However, by the time she convinced mom to agree, we got on a breeder’s list, and got the puppy, our daughter was no longer a high schooler, but a soon to be college freshman living on the east coast in another six weeks.
Translation, Bella was soon to become my dog! Not to worry, as we were now empty nesters and I now had time to pursue one of my long-time interests of training a dog to do therapy work.
So began our countless hours of me giving me commands she didn’t understand (why should I sit when it’s more fun to go visit that other dog? I want to come with you, staying over there is boring! No jumping!...That’s what I was born to do!) with some small hope that someday we both would be deemed well behaved enough to visit with hospice patients and not get asked to leave in the process. As if this fantasy was not enough of a far fetched dream, we met Kelly Heck, another PNW HOPE member, during a walk of our doodles in the park. She talked about HOPE’s program and all the incredible outreach its handlers and dogs provided. I was hooked and told Bella to hang on tight, as we were going to be off on an adventure.
After a year of training (for me that is, I think Bella caught on after about 6 months), we received our animal assisted therapy certification from Pet Partners. During the next two years, we had many memorable visits with hospice patients, children in pediatric wards of hospitals, and school children recovering from a horrific school shooting. Shortly after Bella turned three, we participated in HOPE’s 3 day workshop and shortly thereafter began our rewarding HOPE journey.
Over the course of the last three years we’ve had a number of opportunities to serve with HOPE. Our deployments have included local deployments such as DUI court hearings, murdered victims remembrances, suicide survivor meetings, university counseling student visits, and 911 call center staff visits. We’ve also travelled to Boulder, CO last year to serve a week at community resource center following a mass shooting at a grocery store in the community. Although the work is not always easy, the rewards come in knowing that we’ve helped in some small way.
In closing, I’d be remiss in noting that besides the many rewards that come with the work, the biggest takeaway from my work with Bella for the last six years has been the bond that has been created between us. I’m not sure how to explain it to the average person, but too my other HOPE colleagues out there, I know I don’t have to explain it to you.
Thank you to all that have allowed Bella and I to serve along side you as well as to all the others team members throughout our organization who give so unselfishly of their time, talents, and other resources to make this world a better place in which to live. Please give your furry partner a hug from us both!
Around the Regions
EUS - Yvonne Eaton Stull, HOPE member and professor at Slippery Rock University (PA) was featured in the Fall edition of the university's "The Rock" magazine in an article entitled, "Paws and Effect." You can read the article here on pages 22-25. HOPE member Nancy Chesley and Zoey are featured on the magazine's cover. The photo was taken at the EUS workshop held at Slippery Rock University in July.
Christine Palmer and Rafter were invited by the American Red Cross to participate in Operation Greene Flare Exercise 2022 at T.F. Greene Airport, Warwick, RI. They also made a visit to the Secret Service office in Boston, MA. Do you think anyone noticed? MWR -- See article about Hurricane Ian (above) PNW -- Julie Burk and Hadassah and Ginger Nickel and Gryffindor at a vaccine clinic.
Debbie Cox and Cassie attend a first responder memorial and a pediatric vaccine clinic.
Jennifer Dardzinski and Floyd at a pediatric vaccine clinic.
Molly Fischer and Pickles at Seattle King County free vision clinic.
Megan DeSantis with Hudson and Maggie Tai Tucker with Adelle at the Duvall Faith and Blue Event.
SER -- More from Hurricane Ian
CGC -- Harris County, TX District Attorney's Office Aug-Sep Newsletter (for a easier-to-read pdf version of this article, contact the Newsletter Editor).
In the News Firefighters at Goat Rocks Fire Get Visit From Therapy Dogs. Read articlehere.
Peer Support Unit Uses Doggone Good Therapy Program. Read article here.
FEBRUARY
22 February Ice Mass Rescue Operation Full Scale Exercise 2023 “Grand Illusion” in Traverse City, MI. This will be a drill conducted by the US Coast Guard and will involve a plane crash on a lake with multiple casualties. HOPE is a member of the US Coast Guard's Sault Ste. Marie (MI) Marine Security Committee as well as the US Coast Guard and EPA's Northern Michigan Area Committee. The drill will involve Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, emergency managers and other first responders from throughout the area.
Articles and other submissions for this newsletter are welcome from HOPE AACR members and mission-related professionals. If you're interested in submitting an article or photos for a future edition, please contact the newsletter editor here.
Region Key: CGC = Central Gulf Coast Region; EUS = Eastern United States; MWR = Midwest Region; PNW = Pacific Northwest Region; PSW = Pacific Southwest Region; RMR = Rocky Mountain Region; SER = Southeast Region.
