HUMANE NATURE

from Club Braman Spring/Summer 2023

FORM, FUNCTION, AND FUN

IT HAS LONG BEEN HUMAN NATURE to protect the world around us. Ours is one full of interlocking relationships— from the photosynthesis process taught in elementary school to the bond with house pets cherished as fullfledged members of the family. Because of this, there remains a constant need for some to speak for the voiceless flora and fauna that cohabitate the planet. For the past 13 years, that responsibility has been embraced by Dr. Robin Ganzert, President and CEO of the country’s first and oldest humane organization, American Humane.

Under her direction, the organization’s mission of ensuring science-based, ethical treatment for animals has flourished like never before in its long, illustrious history.

Having already built a career in social work, Dr. Ganzert was personally recruited to head up American Humane in 2010. While the group’s prestige intrigued her, it was meeting with the late Betty White—and the close friendship that continued until her passing—that convinced her to take the helm. From the moment of her appointment, Robin dedicated herself to the 24/7, on-call duties the position requires.

American Humane’s efforts extend far beyond fundraising and supporting local animal shelters. Robin has directed rescue efforts in the wake of natural and man-made disasters. On the heels of the Fukushima nuclear plant accident, American Humane funded three shelters for affected pets in the area, with Robin braving potential radiation poisoning to personally direct the effort. This past year, she led the charge to save as many animals as possible from the catastrophic flood waters of Hurricane Ian.

Robin’s hands-on commitment embodies American Humane’s mission, dating back to its original founders saving and caring for war horses fresh from the battlefields of World War I. However, she has also expanded awareness of these objectives by helping produce the award-winning documentary Escape From Extinction, narrated by Dame Helen Mirren, and the Pups4Patriots program uniting Wounded Warriors with loyal service dogs.

Robin’s lifetime dedication to service found a natural match at Braman Motorcars. She recognizes that the staff across the Braman Motorcars campus are representing something much larger than themselves—characterized by a recent flat tire experience. One call to her service advisor resulted in a quickly-arriving, pet-friendly car and driver for Dr. Ganzert and the three cats she happened to have in tow. Her vehicle was picked up, delivered to the dealership, and she was back on her way within an hour’s time.

The same sense of confidence and security is also found in her beloved Porsche Panamera; in which she never hesitates to transport any of her four-legged companions. Robin makes it a priority to patronize businesses that share her personal and professional values, and counts herself lucky to have found that in Braman Motorcars and Porsche West Palm Beach. The alignment between Braman and American Humane is demonstrated with the selflessness and forethought carried out with each of their clients. It is–to put it simply–in their nature.