Category: Animal World

Teen Teaches Against Violence Through Art

By Tatiana’s Tails, December 9, 2014 at 6:47 pm
Teen Teaches Against Violence Through Art

Twice a year, The Anti-Cruelty Society offers an anti-violence after school program for Chicago teens. The program culminates in a Showcase for the youth to present something that they are passionate about. On Thursday December 4th,  17-year-old Agnes Parzygnat from Lincoln Park High School presented a beautiful painting during the Showcase.

The painting depicted a faceless image with a gorgeous flowing mane of vibrant hair. Agnes stood before an auditorium of approximately 50 people and spoke about her inspiration.

Agnes was inspired to create a piece that would speak against suicide. The articulate young woman stated that she had been impacted by suicide during

Agnes presenting at the Showcaseher freshman year in high school when two of her classmates took their own lives. Agnes saw the aftermath of hurt and pain in her friends and teachers and she told me that she still sees many of them struggle with their loss today. Grief never truly goes away; it merely softens as the survivors learn to cope.

As a result of her experience, Agnes “wanted to bring awareness and resources and ways to help those struggling through it or affected by it. [She] chose to do a painting because [she] loves art and painting, it is the easiest way to show [her] passion for the subject and believe it would get the message across to all those who would see it.”

Her is what Agnes had to say about the imagery in her piece:

The person sitting in the corner represents those who took their lives and the dog on the other [represents] all animals who have been abused and neglected. Through that I wanted to show the link between animal abuse and child abuse. The black background I chose to represent all the awful things that have to do with suicide, such as bullying, and domestic violence. I chose not to cover the person and dog in order to show that those who took their lives and were hurt cannot be forgotten. For the hair I chose bright colors to show happiness and hope and so that when people look at it that is what they see first and [are] hopefully struck by. All the strands are to show the resources and help out there. The hair looks like a lion’s mane to show strength in getting help and giving help. I chose not to paint a face in order to show that it can be anyone and everyone affected by it as well as being someone who can help another in need of help.

Agnes is an extremely intelligent young woman. Expect to see more wonderful things from her future. If a 17-year-old is able to so strongly see the connection between violence in all its forms and is inspired to advocate against violence – that is hope worth sharing.

Agnes in process

The Anti-Cruelty Society’s after school program, “Exploring the Link”, is designed to teach youth about the researched and documented connection between animal cruelty and other form of violence. Teens meet potential mentors, explore caring careers (veterinarian, social worker, humane educator, etc.), and gain self esteem as they learn how to advocate against violence in their communities. The program is currently accepting teen applicants for the spring semester.

Share this link with any interested teens you may know.

Meet The Blogger

Tatiana’s Tails

Tatiana grew up with dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an iguana… just to name a few pets. She began her professional career with animals in 1995 at Brookfield Zoo. Tatiana has studied wild dolphins in Australia and rescued wildlife in Florida, but she always says that people are truly at the heart of her work. The welfare of people and animals is connected through a shared environment and the same traits of empathy and compassion that make someone a good pet owner also simply make people better neighbors and citizens. If it walks, hops, or slithers, Tatiana cares about it. She currently oversees the Humane Education programs at The Anti-Cruelty Society, hosts “Chicago Tails” on Watch312.com, and is a Guest Blogger for Tails Inc.

Share

Encourage Teens to Experiment… with Career Options

By Tatiana’s Tails, November 13, 2013 at 10:30 am
Encourage Teens to Experiment… with Career Options
Over 300 students attended Disability Mentoring Day 2013 at Malcolm X College

 

On Friday I presented to CPS high school students attending the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities’ “Disability Mentoring Day.” My presentation was on “Animal Careers,” but my message to all the students (whether or not they like animals), was to get out there and experiment with LOTS of career options in order to find fulfillment.

Confucius said, “Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Teenage years should be about gaining as many experiences as possible to learn about what sets the heart aflutter. Photography, writing, working with people, studying animal behavior—the possibilities are endless. There are far too many people that invest multiple years and thousands of dollars in pursuing a career only to find out that it is not something they are well suited for. Passion pursuits could lead to less apathy in our workforce.

I love my work, but my 18-year career with animals wasn’t a childhood dream. When I was 12 years old, if you asked me what I wanted to be, I would reply, “an international corporate attorney.” I remember the conversation with a 6th grade teacher that led me to recite that answer on cue. A teacher with the best intent remarked that I was good with debate so I should be an attorney. I replied, “I would never want to defend someone that was a murderer.” The teacher countered me by saying that I could be a corporate attorney and not deal with murder cases. I recoiled with a final protest, “that sounds so boring.” “Well, be an international corporate attorney and you can travel the world,” was the teacher’s final reply that melded into my mantra, but thankfully the career never came to fruition for me. The teacher was trying to foster a student’s talent into the pursuit of what she thought was a well-suited career, but she was quite unaware of the multitude of non-traditional opportunities.

Growing up, my mom and grandmother spent a lot of time taking me to Brookfield Zoo. We had nearly every pet imaginable and my mom was sort of the neighborhood Dr. Doolittle – giving advice and helping animals (some of which were literally left on our doorstep). The love for animals was there, but no one talked to me about careers related to animals. When most people think of “animal careers” a veterinarian is the first, if not only, that jumps to mind, but there are dozens of other options.

At 16, a summer job at Brookfield Zoo ended up turning into my 18-year career working at nonprofits that help animals. I couldn’t be happier and I want to help other kids experiment and explore different organizations and jobs because there are so many more options than one could possibly learn about in a classroom.

On Friday I also explained the importance of building up essential job skills such as reliability and dedication. Pursuing passions doesn’t mean a life void of hard work; something Confucius’ famous quote doesn’t mention. Truly rewarding careers come through real labor and sacrifices. I started off my career only making $4.25/hour (minimum wage in 1995) and didn’t have health care for the first 8 years of full-time work. I balanced work, studies, and waiting tables to make it all possible. Every opportunity and promotion came from drive and putting in extra effort beyond the job requirements. In general, attitudes of entitlement don’t take people very far – they only lead people to create imagined lists of things they think they should get.

Personally and professionally, everyone chooses his or her own attitude. All jobs have work and undesirable aspects, but our focus and emphasis defines our attitude. When I worked as an attendant to the dolphin trainers, most of my days were spent cleaning up after people that visited the building – cleaning bathrooms and scraping gum off the floor filled a lot of my time. I chose to focus on the fleeting moments of public education, animal interaction, and fun with coworkers. Every person has the ability to choose an attitude of gratitude; it makes work much easier for everyone.

In addition to cultivating experiences and a positive attitude, I encouraged youth to stick with their academic studies – (even the ones they may find tedious now) because you never know what you will use later. Zookeepers need math to calculate the weights and measurements of animal diets. Many animal-related careers (my current job included) involve a lot of writing. I hated writing in school. I was assigned to do so much of it and I always saw it as a laborious task. Today, I see the true power in writing. I told the teens how powerful animals’ stories are in helping them find forever homes. Writing can change the world and save lives.

If you know of any teens that occasionally find themselves struggling and seeking direction, encourage them to think about the things that make them happiest and help them seek out a variety of work experiences that will allow them to learn about possibilities. Guide them in cultivating a positive attitude and support them in building a strong academic foundation.

Meet The Blogger

Tatiana’s Tails

Tatiana grew up with dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an iguana… just to name a few pets. She began her professional career with animals in 1995 at Brookfield Zoo. Tatiana has studied wild dolphins in Australia and rescued wildlife in Florida, but she always says that people are truly at the heart of her work. The welfare of people and animals is connected through a shared environment and the same traits of empathy and compassion that make someone a good pet owner also simply make people better neighbors and citizens. If it walks, hops, or slithers, Tatiana cares about it. She currently oversees the Humane Education programs at The Anti-Cruelty Society, hosts “Chicago Tails” on Watch312.com, and is a Guest Blogger for Tails Inc.

Share

Veteran’s Best Friend

By Tatiana’s Tails
Veteran's Best Friend

Jacob and Kaizer

 

I received a story from a Navy veteran, Jacob. His original words are beautiful and need no editing. Too often people allow misconceptions to drive their opinions. Some think of soldiers and the military as robotic and cold, ignorant to the compassionate humans that make up the corps. Some think of animals as being messy or dirty and fail to think of the power they have to uplift the human spirit. The story of how Kaizer, the bulldog, saved his dad, the veteran, is a great reminder of the healing power of animals and just how many challenges are faced by our men in women in the armed forces.

 

This is Jacob’s story:

I wish I knew where to start.  Since I’ve been home, back here in the States, that’s been the summary of my story, “I wish I knew where to start.” You see, when you’re in, you’re told how to start.  When, where, how, it all.

But here, no mas.

I used to hate dogs.  I used to think that they were dirty, dumb animals. But then my brother-in-law gave my wife and I Kaiser as a wedding gift.  Kaiser is a full bred American Bulldog.  When I first heard about this, I thought I was getting a squat legged snorting goofball.  I was further from the truth.

The first time I laid eyes on Kaiser he was no bigger than my forearm and had barely opened his eyes.  He curled up in the crook of my arm and sniffles once, then quickly fell asleep.  My life changed in that moment. Kaizer

For the first time I wanted to be gentle.  I wasn’t gentle because it
was what was expected of me.  I was gentle because I loved this tiny
creature more than I could ever explain.  He meant something to me.  I
lifted him up and put him back with his mama in her pen and didn’t see
him again for a few weeks.

Since then, we have been inseparable.  He’s no longer the size of my
forearm, but a hundred pounds and up to my hip at his head.  When I take
a nap, he crawls into bed and sleeps wedged up against me.  When I come home, he’s at the door wiggling like a worm to greet me.

I am whole and human again because of him.  I feel like I can give love freely.  I think about life without him and I hurt deep inside. Kaizer is a part of me.

I am guilty of getting kisses from him before my wife when I leave and return.  He knows when I’m hurting and when I’m happy and he takes charge of those feelings like they are his responsibility.  He protects the deepest parts of me that only he knows about, because he understands.  I can never love him as much as he deserves, but I try. What can I say, I’m only human, and he is a dog.  So he forgives me and loves me enough to make it up.

Meet The Blogger


Tatiana’s Tails

Tatiana grew up with dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an iguana… just to name a few pets. She began her professional career with animals in 1995 at Brookfield Zoo. Tatiana has studied wild dolphins in Australia and rescued wildlife in Florida, but she always says that people are truly at the heart of her work. The welfare of people and animals is connected through a shared environment and the same traits of empathy and compassion that make someone a good pet owner also simply make people better neighbors and citizens. If it walks, hops, or slithers, Tatiana cares about it. She currently oversees the Humane Education programs at The Anti-Cruelty Society, hosts “Chicago Tails” on Watch312.com, and is a  Guest Blogger for Tails Inc.

Share

Violence is a Virus – Pets are Penicillin

By Tatiana’s Tails, April 11, 2013 at 2:44 pm
Violence is a Virus – Pets are Penicillin

 

It’s nothing new to look at the violence epidemic in the same way that public health experts look at virus transmissions. We know the problem spreads like a cold – one violent occurrence triggering another until we see a rash explode across the face of a city. Why can’t the cure be looked at in the same light? Think of everyone carrying an anti-violence antidote that they can disperse unto others as they go about their day.
How do we unlock the empathy and compassion within us all so it can spread like wildfire? I believe wholeheartedly that pets can unleash the human potential to cure violence. Being humane is to be compassionate. You don’t even have to own a pet to garner these lessons. I’ve gone into Cook County Juvenile Detention with dogs and seen incarcerated youth open up by identifying with an animal that had been abused. After some gentle petting and gazing into the eyes of a trusting and non-judgmental dog; imprisoned youth have opened up and engaged in discussions about wrongful abuse of power and the importance of helping children and animals that do not have the power to stand up for themselves. More importantly, I’ve listened to the young men glean inspiration and talk about hope for their futures and things they want to do differently when they get out.

Animals touch the human spirit and unlock some pretty great things. You don’t have to take my word for it – the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention even has an entire page on the health benefits of pet ownership. Studies have shown that petting the soft fur of a cat (or dog) lowers your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglyceride levels and increases the chemicals in your brain that make you happy. Having a furry face to come home to that will give you unconditional love also makes you less lonely. In particular, dogs need to be taken for walks and walking is good for human health. Dogs increase opportunities for socialization and exercise. Not to quote Legally Blonde, but “Exercise releases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don’t shoot [people]”. Yes, correlation is not causation and people can have pets and still be jerks (and Penicillin doesn’t cure viruses), but the message is that in general – pets help spread empathy and compassion.

If pets can truly be a catalyst to unlocking compassion; thereby acting as a violence vaccine – what can we do with this knowledge to work against violence?
• Spread Positive Stories – The media is full of tales of violence. Make a conscience effort to spread the positive stories (like this one) more than you share the negative ones. Media outlets can easily see which stories are viewed the most and if there is more of a demand for “feel good” stories that herald good deeds – more positive tales may make headlines.
• Encourage Youth – There are lots of youth out there that aren’t dealing drugs and being bullies. Whether it’s your kids, nieces, nephews, or a teen in your neighborhood; offer words of encouragement and praise the good deeds that children do. The Anti-Cruelty Society offers an anti-violence after school program for Chicago high school kids. Refer teens to programs like that or support a program yourself by being a mentor, volunteer, or donor.
• Adopt a Pet – Now you know why it’s good for your health, bring home a furry forever friend. If you adopt a dog, consider working your way up to Canine Good Citizen certification and then volunteering to bring the positive effects of pet contact to those that cannot have a pet (hospitals, hospice care, incarcerated youth, and more).
• Be Nice! – Empathy can spread just as quickly as violence so choose to infect others with kindness. I’m not endorsing the insurance company, but Liberty Mutual created a couple commercials that show some simple ways kindness can be infectious.

Meet The Blogger

Tatiana’s Tails

Tatiana grew up with dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an iguana… just to name a few pets. She began her professional career with animals in 1995 at Brookfield Zoo. Tatiana has studied wild dolphins in Australia and rescued wildlife in Florida, but she always says that people are truly at the heart of her work. The welfare of people and animals is connected through a shared environment and the same traits of empathy and compassion that make someone a good pet owner also simply make people better neighbors and citizens. If it walks, hops, or slithers, Tatiana cares about it. She currently oversees the Humane Education programs at The Anti-Cruelty Society, hosts “Chicago Tails” on Watch312.com, and is a Guest Blogger for Tails Inc.

Share

15 Easy Ways to Help Animals

October 29, 2012 by Tatiana Garrett in Blogs, Featured, Home, Rescue, Tatiana Garrett

By Tatiana Garrett

Animal lovers know that adoptions save lives. But what if you love animals and are allergic or simply cannot take anymore in at the moment? Here are 15 easy ways to help animals.

1. Post. Social media is a great way to spread the word about animal issues. Repost an article that you believe in (like this one!), share an invite for a pet-related event, or post photos of adoptable animals. You never know who may log in, see the call, and help.

2. Collect. Hold an item drive for your local shelter or just collect the items in your own household. Shelters are always in need and some of the items are things you may just throw away: Towels (pets don’t care if it looks a little worn), newspaper, and unopened pet food and toys. Even used cell phones are popular items because many nonprofit organizations participate in technology recycling programs that also act as fundraisers. Check with the shelter first to see exactly what is on their wish list.

3. Film. If you are a gifted photographer or videographer, you could volunteer at your local shelter to capture great images and video stories of animals. A pet may sit in a shelter for months (especially if they are a little older and get passed by for kittens/puppies), but once the public sees his/her personal story people may flock in to offer a loving forever home.

4. Speak-Up. Public perceptions can be a huge problem for animals. Someone may hesitate to adopt a cat for fear of being labeled a “crazy cat person” or someone else may not adopt a Pit Bull because of a misconception. Speak up for animals without a voice and herald the benefits of adoption, breeds you love, and the human-animal bond. If you change someone’s mind, it may save a life.

5. Clean. From scrubbing kennels to collating documents to washing pooches…shelters can always use a helping hand. Know that every shelter is different though and some larger urban facilities may have hundreds of volunteers and require some form of a training procedure for volunteers in any role.

6. Foster. There are many reasons to foster a pet. Some animal rescue groups are so small that they don’t have a physical space. Instead, they rely on a network of foster volunteers. Other times, people foster for a shelter and provide temporary housing for an animal that is too young or ill to be placed up for adoption. It’s a wonderful and rewarding way to help out.

7. Plant. Have a green thumb? Volunteer to do some gardening at your local shelter. If the shelter doesn’t have an outdoor space, they may still welcome small indoor pots for home-grown catnip. If wildlife is more your thing, you could volunteer for a local park to clear invasive species or help with plantings. You could even just plant local vegetation in your own backyard.

8. Socialize. Shelters are meant to be temporary places for animals to live until they find a warm and loving forever home. The environment has to be safe and easy to clean to cut down on disease transmission among animals—this can translate to loud and scary environments for pets. I work at a large shelter in Chicago and know many volunteers who come by on their lunch break to sit with a kitty or walk a dog. Socialization will help animals be less stressed while in the shelter environment, and allowing them to have a calmer demeanor can lead to a speedy adoption.

9. Give. Everyone has something to give: A helping hand, a disposable camera that a Humane Investigator could use, etc. And every shelter can always use funds. Know that adoption fees do not cover the costs of what it takes to care for the animals—shelters need your donations. Peruse the website of your favorite local shelter or ask someone in their Development/Administration department about what you may be able to give.

10. Trap. Cats should be kept indoors to keep them safe from traffic, disease, wildlife, and other potential hazards. Many cities have feral cat populations and if you have property that these cats visit, you may find a local trap-neuter-release (TNR) program that will help you spay and neuter the cats to prevent future generations.

11. Bake. Retro is in! Host a bake sale or lemonade stand (work with your church, school, or scout troop to increase your impact) and donate the funds to your local shelter.

12. Build. A Champaign County Humane Investigator told me about Eagle Scouts that built some amazing dog houses. The local Humane Investigators were then able to give the houses to dogs in need. We’ve repeated the program in Chicago. Even a carpentry project can help animals!

13. Craft. The shelter I work at in Chicago, The Anti-Cruelty Society, has a volunteer club called “Busy Fingers” that meets to sew cat and dog beds and dog bandanas for animals in the shelter. You can find instructions here on how to make items that you can donate to your local shelter.

14. Run. Coordinate a sporting event and collect pledges to support the animals. Check in with your favorite shelter because they may already have a fun event that you can join, and you may even be able to participate with your dog.

15. Think. This list can go on and on. Whatever your skill set may be; everyone can make a difference for animals.

There is no excuse to not take action for animals. What will you do today?

Tatiana Garrett grew up with Borzoi, a rescued Standard Poodle, cats, hamsters, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an iguana… just to name a few pets. She began her professional career with animals in 1995 at Brookfield Zoo. She has studied wild dolphins in Australia and rescued wildlife in Florida, but people are truly at the heart of her work. If it walks, hops, or slithers, Tatiana cares about it. She currently oversees the Humane Education programs at The Anti-Cruelty Society and hosts “Chicago Tails” on Watch312.com.

Share

Going Green with Pets

By Tatiana’s Tails, March 6, 2013 at 11:30 am
Going Green with Pets

Going Green with Pets

It’s cool (and easy) to be green, but there are some specific things that pet parents can do to be more eco-friendly with their fur babies. Consider these simple tips and add your own in the comment section below.

  1. Poo Power!  Whether you have cats, dogs, or bunnies – pet waste generates a lot of waste so consider making a little change here that could have a big impact. If you have a dog, use biodegradable poop bags instead of plastic grocery bags. There are 365 days in a year so this can make a huge impact. Leaving waste behind is NOT green as it spreads disease and attracts rats. If you have yard space, you can also look into septic and compost systems for pet waste. For cats and other pets that use litter, use options that contain fewer chemicals and mined materials. Some options are even flushable – which leads to fewer garbage bags.
  2. Green Grooming  Look at the ingredients in your pet shampoos and grooming products and choose environmentally-friendly options. This includes using washable towels instead of disposable wipes. Natural ingredients are also likely to be better for your pets’ skin and decrease allergic reactions.
  3. Go Big!  Buying litter, food, and treats in larger quantity bags is usually a great cost-saver, but it also means less packaging waste. Think about the bags you’ll stop from ending up in a landfill over the course of a year. Get a refillable container with a good seal to keep food from going stale.
  4. Save the Birds!  This tip is mostly for cats, but can also refer to dogs left out in yards unattended. Keep your pets indoors – unless you’re walking them safely on a leash. Need a reason to convince a pet parent not so keen on this responsibility: leash laws are in effect in most cities, loose pets are at such high risk for being hurt in traffic (which can also lead to human injury), and it also keeps beautiful birds and other furry woodland creatures safe. If you don’t care too much about birds, then think about the mites, lice, and diseases that wildlife can carry.
  5. Ingredients Matter!   Whether you’re talking food for Fido or treats for Tabby – read labels and make better decisions for your pets and the environment. Look for products that contain more whole foods and less chemical preservatives and by-products. Go certified organic if you can, to ensure pesticides are staying out of the environment and your loving forever friend. Local options are also better for the environment because less fossil fuels are burned in transportation. Consider the large amount of pet food and treat recalls that have also occurred recently – buying high-quality food and treats can help pets live longer healthier lives.

Meet The Blogger

Tatiana’s Tails

Tatiana grew up with dogs, cats, hamsters, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and an iguana… just to name a few pets. She began her professional career with animals in 1995 at Brookfield Zoo. Tatiana has studied wild dolphins in Australia and rescued wildlife in Florida, but she always says that people are truly at the heart of her work. The welfare of people and animals is connected through a shared environment and the same traits of empathy and compassion that make someone a good pet owner also simply make people better neighbors and citizens. If it walks, hops, or slithers, Tatiana cares about it. She currently oversees the Humane Education programs at The Anti-Cruelty Society, hosts “Chicago Tails” on Watch312.com, and is a Guest Blogger for Tails Inc.

Share