sanctuary • spring/summer 2014 a compassionate world begins with you

Whether they are cleaning barns or writing website con-tent, interns are vital to Farm Sanctuary’s efforts to pro-

tect and provide sanctuary to farm animals. While volunteering at Farm Sanctuary, interns often discover that our rescued ani-mals are not the only ones who undergo remarkable transfor-mations at our shelters. They, too, are transformed. Here’s what a few of our recent interns had to say about the challenges, the changes, and the fun they experienced while spending time with us at Farm Sanctuary. They had a lot to say!

Mud and Sweat

Shelter interns get their hands dirty for the animals every day. While Education, Development, and Communications interns may stay a little cleaner than their hay-bale-hauling counter-parts, they put in a lot of hard work, as well. Our interns de-velop their skills and discover strengths they never knew they had. Sometimes, the tasks are unexpected. Interning at the New York Shelter last December, Laurie Morrison was sur-

prised to find herself making peanut butter sandwiches for pigs (it’s like a pill pocket for pigs; that’s how caregivers persuade them to take their medication). Her partner and fellow intern, Keri Cronin, meanwhile, spent Christmas morning blow-drying an elderly rabbit, Aunt Bea, who had become chilled. “I was so happy I could be there to help her,” she says. Even routine tasks can prove to be immensely reward-ing when the animals are involved. Keith Burgeson, who vol-unteered as an intern at both the New York Shelter and the Southern California Shelter, recalls mucking the pig barn in Watkins Glen during the icy winter months: “Watching the pigs barreling into their freshly cleaned barn, running around with straw in their mouths to make nests … you could just tell they were so happy.” Laura Monagan, who was an Education intern at our Southern California Shelter, notes, “Because our work ulti-mately served the animals, every job — from running a con-vention table, to distributing information at local restaurants, to organizing the supply closet — seemed worthwhile.” And Lau-ra shared that sense of purpose with visitors as she led tours of the shelter, especially when she related the story of Hilda, our first rescued animal. “I wanted people to feel inspired to begin with one simple action in good faith that it would lead to greater change.”

Mud, Sweat, and Joy: The Farm Sanctuary Internship Program

“You are just filled with immense pride for

doing good work and contributing to a

meaningful cause.” – Meredith Osborne

Breaking a sweat at our Southern California Shelter.

Joy

Interns’ days are full, and the work can be hard, but the joys are many, from watching “the sun rise over the farm in the early mornings” to witnessing a newly rescued animal arrive at the sanctuary. Keri recalls when Nik arrived at the New York Shelter after staff had worked two full days to bring the aban-doned, starving calf in from the bitter cold. “We were able to go up to the barn and watch him be led from the trailer into the stall. It was such a special moment to witness — he was safe.” The emotional landscape of an intern’s day can change in an instant. What may start as a tender moment in the barn while feeding a special-needs turkey can quickly turn into a fit of giggles over a rooster who crows at the sound of a sneeze.

“I’d never been around that many like-minded

people at once.” – Keith Burgeson

Like-minded People

Our internship program draws participants from diverse occu-pations and backgrounds, but their shared concern for farm animals gives them a rich common ground. On-site interns live together in communal houses, which become lively hubs of cooking, sharing, laughter, and support. Laura recalls, “Our time together in the intern house didn’t feel like part of a formal program but experiences woven together to form a tapestry of ‘life on the farm.’ And all have become fond memories.” Our interns become part of a thriving network of mem-bers, staff, volunteers, and shelter guests. Meredith Osborne, who was an Education intern at our Northern California Shel-ter, says, “I made great friends, I witnessed the community of supporters during the Hoe Down, and I met all of the visitors

coming to the sanctuary for tours. It was an honor to represent Farm Sanctuary by answering their questions and introducing them to the sanctuary animals.”

The Animals!Interns enjoy ample time with our animal residents while living and volunteering at the shelters. And, for many, these intimate interactions are moving and motivating experiences. “The animals rescued by Farm Sanctuary have endured humanity’s worst cruelties,” Keith observes. “Yet these ani-mals possess an uncanny ability to forgive so effortlessly. Their loving nature is authentic and profoundly inspiring.” Keri echoes this sentiment: “The most rewarding part of the internship was watching the animals interact with one an-other and their caregivers, to witness firsthand how happy and comfortable their lives are at Farm Sanctuary.” “The most wonderful encounters I had were with Pearl, the blind turkey,” Keri adds. “I was often responsible for not only preparing her meals but also guiding her to her bowl and sitting with her as she ate. I would tap the side of the bowl to mimic the sound of a beak pecking at the food, and she would follow the sounds. Getting up at 5:30 in the morning was a lot easier when I knew that I would be heading over to feed Pearl her breakfast!”

Learning and Teaching

For many interns, their time at Farm Sanctuary is a time to gain a deeper understanding of animals and our food system, and also to pass that learning on to others. “I’d never spent more than a few hours on a farm,” Laura notes. “I knew noth-ing of the hierarchical habits of pigs or the personality traits of turkeys or the gratitude of goats.” She learned how she could interact with animals through observing how animals interact with each other. In doing so, she formed a special relationship with Maria, a Nubian goat. “I put myself in her hooves … and imagined what I could do for her that she couldn’t do for her-self.” When Laura had a few minutes to spare, she would stop

Stephanie Johnson, intern, giving visitors a tour of our Northern California Shelter.

Laura Monagan and fellow interns enjoying a break — and a kiss from Safran.

sanctuary • spring/summer 2014

to give Maria a shoulder massage and sing her a song — and soon, Maria began to approach her when she was nearby, as if to ask if it were her appointment time. Laura also “paid forward” her newfound comfort with ani-mals during her time serving as a visitor tour guide. During one tour, she assisted a senior visitor who was leaning on her walker watching Macy, Jimmy, and other pigs lounge in the sun. Laura asked if she’d like to pet one of the pigs. “I’m afraid I might get stuck,” she said, indicating the small wheels on the bottom of her walker. Laura helped guide the woman and her walker closer to the pigs, then held her arm as she reached down to pet Macy and helped her back to solid ground. “It was then that she told me she had never before touched a pig. She was easily in her 80s — and I realized that it might very well be the only time in her life she ever would.” For Laurie, already an animal welfare advocate, her ex-periences helped her understand the sentience of non-human animals on a deeper level. For many, their time at Farm Sanc-tuary inspired thoughtful discussions of animal welfare topics, such as the associated health and environmental issues and the psychology behind animal abuse and neglect.

A Continuing Journey

A Farm Sanctuary internship is often just the beginning of a lifetime of advocating for farm animals. The program has

launched countless activists into extraordinary work for ani-mals in the nonprofit sector and beyond — including some who have become Farm Sanctuary employees. Since interning at Farm Sanctuary, Meredith is finishing up her first year at The University of Michigan Law School and looking to restart the campus chapter of the student Animal Liberation Fund. “My commitment to veganism has grown ex-ponentially because of my internship,” she tells us. “Similar to any social movement, being ‘out’ and open about your values helps people make a personal connection to the cause.” Laurie, a librarian at Brock University in Ontario, is affili-ated with the university’s Critical Animal Studies program and also continues to organize Niagara VegFest, which she co-founded. “I have never spent this kind of extended time with so many non-human animals.” She adds, “Each one of them is so very unique.” As Chair and Associate Professor of the Visual Arts De-partment at Brock University, Keri is focusing her current re-search on exploring the ways in which early animal advocacy campaigns used art and visual culture. She hopes to one day open a sanctuary of her own. After completing an AmeriCorps assignment in Acton, California, Keith recently joined the staff of our Southern Cali-fornia Shelter as a caregiver, and he intends to remain an en-gaged activist. “My internship fostered an ability to speak to the individuality of farm animals,” he says. “Every cow, pig, chicken, goat, sheep, and turkey has a unique personality just like our dog and cat friends. An ability to tell their stories is an invaluable tool for any activist to master.” Looking back on their experiences, interns agree that Farm Sanctuary internships are life-altering. As Laura, a middle school social studies teacher, says, “Be willing to put your skills to work, trust in yourself and others, and take a chance at trying something totally new.” The animals will thank you for it.

Keith Burgeson and fellow interns at our Southern California Shelter.

We Want YOU! Yes, you! Interns are vital to our work, and we have openings in a variety of

departments at our three shelters in Orland, California; Acton, California; and Watkins Glen, New York. We especially need Shelter Projects interns at our California shelters. Visit the “Get

Involved” section of farmsanctuary.org to learn more, fill out an application, and

take the first step toward a life-changing adventure.

“On my days off, I usually ended up back over on the farm, hanging out

with the animals. It was really hard to stay away!”

– Keri Cronin