Peter dyer by Freestyle Academy

An Animal Asylum By Peter Dyer

Dedication This book is dedicated to my dog Enzo, whome I adopted from the Peninsula Humane Society.

Table Of Contents

Foreword ................................................................................6 Introduction ..........................................................................8 Chapter I ..............................................................................10 Chapter II .............................................................................15 Chapter III ............................................................................22 Conclusion ............................................................................ 29 Works Cited .......................................................................... 30

Foreword Animals have always had a special place in my heart. Ever since I can remember I have had pets. Whether it was the cats I had when I was first born, or the five dogs I have had since then, I have always loved animals. The most recent dog me and my family adopted is named Enzo. He is a chocolate lab and the first time we ever laid eyes on him was at the Peninsula Humane Society. When I first saw him, I knew that he was meant to have a role in my life. The Peninsula HUmane Society made the adoption process very quick and easy, and in no time Enzo was living with us at our home. PHS has had a positive impact on my life and this is why I am sharing their story. In my book, my goal was to reveal the hidden aspects of PHS that most common people are not aware of. This includes the vast amounts of hard work that the staff at the facility puts in as well as the very high tech infrastructure of the facility. Most people do not know about the hard working medical staff that work at the Peninsula Humane Society as well. My purpose in writing this book is to shed light on the hidden heros of the Peninsula Humane Society and give credit to the hard working individuals who sacrifice so much to help animals in need. One of the most interesting things I learned while researching PHS was the fact that they not only help domesticated animals, but also injured or orphaned wild animals from nearby communities. This is a truly astounding fact that most people do not no about. The PHS is one of only four shelters in the entire nation who cares for wild animals, making it a truly unique and special place. I hope this book is able to capture the spirit of the Humane society and is able to honor the hard work and dedication that makes the Peninsula Humane Society what it is today.

Introduction Shelter. Shelter is something many of us take for granted. No matter how tough our days are , there is a warm bed waiting at home for us to climb into at night. The reality is that many of the animals in our community donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the comfort of a home. Take Enzo as an example. Enzo, a two year old chocolate lab, ended up living on the streets without a home due to unfortunate circumstances. Somebody found him and called the Peninsula Humane Society who picked him up and took him in. Enzo was brought to the Peninsula facility where he was given medical treatment, food, shelter, and attention. Within days people had already began lining up to adopt him. Adoption experts from the facility found

him a caring family that took him in and gave him a place to call home. Enzoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s story is just one of many that the Peninsula Humane society has made possible. The Peninsula Humane Society is dedicated to helping animals in any way it can. Whether it be a stray dog who needs a home, or an injured hawk the Peninsula Humane Society is always there to help. When most people think of animal shelters they think of a place to adopt cats and dogs, but the Peninsula facility has a huge variation of animals such as dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, farm animals, rodents, and even wild animals. Not only does the facility provide necessities like food, water, and shelter but it also provides great medical attention. It is one of only

four shelters in the nation that has five full time veterinarians working to help animals in the facility. All of these services are made possible through generous donations from the community which fund the non profit organization and allow the Peninsula Humane Society to be one of the most prestigious in the nation. The excellent medical facilities and professional medical staff are what sets the Peninsula Humane Society apart from other shelters across the nation.

A Brief History The Peninsula Humane Society was first established in 1952 by a small group of individuals who, according to vice president Scott Delucchi , “saw how the animals were being treated at the local municipal shelters and wanted to do better by the animals.” Like many animal shelters, the Penin-

sula Humane Society’s original goal was to help local domesticated animals in any way they could. This involves everything from offering shelter to homeless animals to providing medical care for injured animals. When the PHS was first established, a facility was built in San Mateo

to act as the home base for the society. This facility’s construction was funded entirely through donations and became the home of many animals in need for the next five decades. In the early years of the PHS, unfortunately a very large number of domesticated animals had to be euthanized.

In 1970, the first year where accurate records began to be kept of all animals accepted by the facility, the PHS euthanized a total of 37,680 dogs and cats, a truly horrifying number. Although the PHS did all that it could to prevent the euthanization of animals, there simply was no other option for the vast number of animals it had to accept and attempt to care for. This lead to the high number of euthanizations. Since 1970, the PHS has attempted to lower the number of animals euthanized by as much as possible and has been very successful in this goal. According to the records provided by the Peninsula Humane society, euthanizations in 2012 were 95% lower than in 1970. Although it is tragic that

any animals must suffer the fate of euthanization, it is truly remarkable that the PHS has been able to lower euthanization by 95% while still accepting any and all animals that are brought to the facility. In 1970, the Peninsula Humane Society also became the first shelter in the entire nation to offer low-cost spay and neuter clinics to the general public. This clinic is essential to controlling the population of domesticated animals, which prevents unwanted pregnancies in dogs and cats. According to adoption counselor Lucas Brown, spay and neuter clinics are one of the most effective ways to lower the number of euthanizations performed by

shelters. Unwanted pregnancies result in over-population of domesticated animals, causing animals to live with a low quality of life often resulting in homelessness or euthanization. This is just one of the many services offered by the PHS to help improve the quality of life of animals in our community.

This original facility in San Mateo acted as the base for the PHS until two years ago when a new and improved facility was constructed. Due to generous donations from members of the Burlingame community such as Larry Ellison, the new Peninsula Humane Society facility was able to be built. The new facility is a vast, four story building with

a myriad of rooms to house animals in. It is an immense upgrade from the old facility and is one of the reasons the Peninsula Humane Society is regarded as such an elite shelter. The facility is even equipped with a high tech medical facility allowing the five professional veterinarians who are employed by the PHS to work in one

of the best environments in the nation. The facility is staffed by of 1,400 volunteers who offer their time to help animals in need and allow the PHS to function at its peek ability. The history of the Peninsula Humane Society is a true success story, and makes it stand out as one of the most unique and impressive animal shelters in the country.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.â&#x20AC;? -Steve Irwin

II Medical Facilities

One of the most unique things about the Peninsula Humane Society is the excellent medical facilities it provides for animals in need of care. The facility is staffed with hard working, caring staff who all share a love of animals. The PHS has five full time veterinarians working 7 days a week to help the animals. Many shelters only have one doctor or don’t have any doctors at all, but the PHS is able to have five.

so as a surprise her father took her to the shelter. Young doctor Hahn fell in love with a dog she saw there and adopted it from the facility. Now, eighteen years later she works as a veterinarian treating the animals sheltered at the Peninsula Humane Society.

Each animal must go through extensive medical evaluations, and these are all done on site at the facility. If animals need more medical care than just a simple evaluation, then the on One of these veterinarsite veterinarians will perform ians is doctor Tiffanie Hahn. Dr. Hahn always had a love for whatever surgeries or procedures are required. When an animals. As a child she grew up in San Mateo California and animal is received by the facility, the first thing that happens for her eleventh birthday her is the animal is held for a perifather decided he would get od of four days to see if an ownher a dog. 1996 and the PHS was only a twenty minute drive, er comes looking for the pet.

After that period has passed, the animal’s begin to undergo a series of tests to check both the animal’s physical and mental health. If the animal is deemed healthy, adoption counselors will begin searching for a sutible owner to adopt the animal. However, most animals are not deemed healthy and need other either minor operations or some mental rehabilitation. This is where the excellent medical staff at the facility comes in to assist the animals on their journey to adoption. No animals other than those with untreatable conditions are euthanized, and euthanizations have dropped 95% in the sixty years of the PHS’s existence.

There are countless success stories the Peninsula Humane Society can boast of, but one in particular stands out. One of the veterinarians who works at the facility, Dr. Hahn, shared a truly touching story about one particularly special animal. Julie first came to the facility in a pitiful condition. She was an emancipated dog completely covered in mats from head to toe. Her hair was so matted that it had completely covered one of her eyes, acting almost like a blindfold. The staff at the facility began a long and difficult process with Julie that would ultimately lead to her recovery. She was fed properly for the first time in months before she received a extensive haircut. Once her hair was trimmed it was found that unfortunately, her eye had been damaged by the matting of her hair. The eye had to be removed and this was followed by a long and grueling recuperation process, but in the end Julie had recovered. She soon was able to find a new home and thanks to the hard work of Dr. Hahn, has been living a happy life ever since.

The medical services provided at the humane society are even extended to local wild animals who are brought to the facility either injured or as babies. Wild animals are helped and then are released back into the wild. According to vice president of the Peninsula Humane Society Scott Delucchi, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are one of 3 or 4 shelters in the world that takes care of wild and domestic animals.â&#x20AC;? This unique aspect of the PHS sets it apart from other shelters and exemplifies the hard working, caring attitude that make the PHS what it is.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Humane Society Stands out as more than just a place to adopt animalsâ&#x20AC;?

III A Professional Workforce

and even more deep mental problems such as animal One thing that makes the forms of PTSD. After volunPHS stand out is itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s proteers are properly informed fessionally trained staff of about these issues that they workers. The PHS is a sucmust learn to see in the cessful and respected shelter animals they will be caring now, but The Humane SoVolunteers go through an for, they begin practicing ciety has even bigger ambiextensive training process interacting with the animals. tions for the future. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new before they are allowed to facility is spectacular, with interact and care for animals Some volunteers job is just to keep the animals comhigh tech labs and vast areas being held at the facility. pany and make sure they are to hold animals that need a First, potential volunteers home. When most people attend instructional classes comfortable with human interaction, while others have think of volunteer workers, where professional zoo more difficult tasks such as they picture poorly trained keepers and veterinarians identifying which animals people who want to make inform them about things a difference, but might not they need to know about the are prepared for adoption. always be effective in achiev- animals they are caring for. While most volunteers have important jobs at the facility, ing this goal. The workers According to Doctor Hahn, some of the full time workof the Peninsula Humane they are taught how to see Society are nothing like this signs of past physical abuse, ers have jobs that require even more extensive trainstereotype. Working at the food guarding problems, PHS is more than just volsocial interaction problems, ing. unteering, all volunteers go through extensive training and instruction to ensure that animals are receiving quality professional treatment.

Lucas Brownâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s job as an adoption counselor is to identify which animals are both physically and emotionally prepared to be adopted. He goes through an extensive process with each animal to ensure that they are ready to move on from the facility and will succeed and be happy in the outside world. In order to earn a job at the Peninsula Humane Society beyond just volunteering, there is a long process potential workers must go through to be considered for a job. Workers must either have previous experience working as animals or must volunteer as an

intern for a period of at least three months to gain experience handling and caring for animals. Carmen Sepetka for example, worked as an apprentice zoo keeper for six months before applying for a position at the new Peninsula facility. Once this requirement of previous experience has been met, potential workers go through similar training to that of the volunteers in which they are informed about the animals they will be caring for and are taught how to spot issues that the animals may be facing. More skill intensive jobs such as the veterinarians require even

more training and knowledge. All of the veterinarians at the Peninsula Humane Society attended medical school and were trained by professionals to be masters of their trade. Much like doctors who work on humans, veterinarians go to medical school and dedicate years of their lives to learning how to care for animals. The five vets at the Peninsula Humane Society are extremely busy and work very hard to care for all the animals in the facility.

The hard working staff of the Peninsula Humane Society set it apart from other shelters across the nation. Without their dedication and countless hours of service the facility would not be as prestigious and respected as it is today. These motivated people are what will propel the PHS into the future and insure it to continue to be one of the most respected shelters in the nation.

Conclusion Animals have always had a special place in my heart. Ever since I can remember I have had pets. Whether it was the cats I had when I was first born, or the five dogs I have had since then, I have always loved animals. The most recent dog me and my family adopted is named Enzo. He is a chocolate lab and the first time we ever laid eyes on him was at the Peninsula Humane Society. When I first saw him, I knew that he was meant to have a role in my life. The Peninsula HUmane Society made the adoption process very quick and easy, and in no time Enzo was living with us at our home. PHS has had a positive impact on my life and this is why I am sharing their

story. In my book, my goal was to reveal the hidden aspects of PHS that most common people are not aware of. This includes the vast amounts of hard work that the staff at the facility puts in as well as the very high tech infrastructure of the facility. Most people do not know about the hard working medical staff that work at the Peninsula Humane Society as well. My purpose in writing this book is to shed light on the hidden heros of the Peninsula Humane Society and give credit to the hard working individuals who sacrifice so much to help animals in need. One of the most interesting things I learned while researching PHS was the fact

that they not only help domesticated animals, but also injured or orphaned wild animals from nearby communities. This is a truly astounding fact that most people do not no about. The PHS is one of only four shelters in the entire nation who cares for wild animals, making it a truly unique and special place. I hope this book is able to capture the spirit of the Humane society and is able to honor the hard work and dedication that makes the Peninsula Humane Society what it is today.

Works Cited “AnimalLaw.com - Home.” AnimalLaw.com - Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. Brown, Lucas. Personal Interview. 11 Feb. 2014. Delucchi, Scott. Personal Interview. 26 Feb. 2014. “Donate and Shop to Help the Animals!” Welcome to Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. “The Humane Society of the United States : The Humane Society of the United States.”RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. Kohn, Barbara. “Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA Opens New Center for Compassion in Burlingame.” Examiner.com. N.p., 12 Sept. 2011. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. “PHS/SPCA By The Numbers.” PHS/SPCA. N.p., 8 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. “MDARD - Animal Shelters.” MDARD - Animal Shelters. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014.

Peter Dyer is 17 years-old and is originally from Berkeley, California. At the age of three, he moved to Los Altos California and has lived there ever since. In his free time Peter enjoys playing lacrosse and listening to music. He has two d-loving, relaxed person who can always be counted on to brighten up a situation. Peter enjoys to kickback and relax in the sun, and is always down to have some fun.

An Animal Asylum By Peter Dyer