Good evening! At SBFPS, we are truly blessed to have an amazing group of volunteers who make all the world of difference to the residents. We would like you to get to know them with a "Take Five" feature. Today we introduce Jenn Ross - one of our Barn Managers. With her enthusiasm, determination and care, she brings much to the team!
Q - How did you hear about SBFPS and get involved?
A - I responded to an advertisement for volunteers and was intrigued by “farm” and “animals”, as I grew up on a farm and have always wanted to be involved. I found that although I may not be formally trained in primate care, that I can offer other skills to help make a difference.
Q - Who is your favourite resident?
A - My favourite was Yoshi – he grew old over my first few volunteer years. I had the pleasure of speaking with him, hand feeding him and holding his arthritic hands and realizing what an opportunity I had to meet such a brave man in the human world, who was robbed of a life in the wild. I was privileged to share his last few days with him, to pray he would fall asleep with a full belly, a happy heart and knowing how much we all loved him. We rescued him from an early lifetime of laboratory testing and enriched his life to the very end. He came full circle, once at the hands of probing humans, to relying and trusting us for his elder care. Yoshi will always be missed and will be remembered with a Story Book ending.
Q - Jenn, can you share some highlight of the sanctuary?
A - My highlights are the residents and their greetings towards me when I arrive! Also my friendships with the residents and volunteers. Volunteering at the sanctuary makes me feel like I am making a difference in their life, as well as they make a difference in my own life.
Q - Do you have any tips and advice about getting involved and helping primates?
A - Yes, every little bit can make a difference. We can’t save them all but we can help those in such enormous ways by being actively involved in their care, in educating others, advocating and standing up for them when you see them in danger or in need of rescue. Give what you can give – don’t stretch yourself too thin. Make a commitment and stick with it!
Thanks Jenn for all that you do!
