This deadly and contagious disease is on our doorstep and SALI's Farm is taking measures to keep our bunnies safe.

Our first inkling of Dawn's passion "to make it happen and have fun along the way," was the Black Tails & Boots Gala in 2012.  Back then we ran our Children's Program out of M&M Connemaras. Our gala was in their back garden that had a pool. Dawn was running the Rubber Duck station, our guests could buy a yellow duckie for $25, and a chance to win a House Boat Cruise. Dawn had a goal of selling 60 ducks and said, " I'll jump in the pool if we reach 60."  Well, she reached her goal, did a canon ball into the pool and we had to help her warm up because she hadn't brought a change of clothes!

It's gotta be around 8 years ago that I started to read Temple Grandin's books and learned about her research into the common traits of animals (especially cows) and autism. When Gracie and Peanut came to our farm sanctuary, I was excited to see her research in action!

There is a link between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. Children who are exposed to violence and trauma are at an increased risk to perpetrate violence. The recent Florida shooter had a history of animal cruelty. Animal cruelty is part of the triad for warning signs of a child who has been abused.

Many of the volunteers have been with SALI for years and they are a constant, they keep coming back year after year, month after month, and day after day. In that respect, I’m just a probee but proud to be a SALI volunteer.