Winter Edition - Humane Society of Vero Beach & Indian River County

10
HUMANE EDUCATION
Jeanna Giese – World Rabies Day
Jeanna
Giese, the
known rabies
survivor,
recently lent her name and support to the Humane Society of
Vero Beach and Indian River County (HSVB&IRC) as the Shelter
worked to educate the public about this almost always fatal yet
100% preventable disease during World Rabies Day.
In 2004, at the age of 15, Giese made medical history after
surviving the bite of a rabid bat. The Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
teen’s life was saved thanks to an experimental treatment. Now
a 22-year-old college graduate, the avid animal lover devotes
her efforts to enlightening the public about rabies prevention. “I
believe that rabies education and general animal and bite safety
is so important for children - and adults as well. I did not know
about rabies when I was 15 years old and because of that I paid
a price,” she said. Since Giese’s illness, only four other people are
known to have survived rabies without vaccination.
Jeanna played an integral part in helping the Shelter raise
consciousness about rabies by working with local media, including
WTTB’s radio host Bob Soos. Jeanna also openly shared her
story of survival with students at both Vero Beach and Sebastian
Blessing the Animals
River high schools via posts she’s made on YouTube. “My goal is
simply to raise rabies awareness…I think that speaking to children
directly and showing them how (rabies) has affected my life
is a very effective way to raise awareness.”
In addition to Jeanna’s help, HSVB&IRC extends special
thanks to The Global Alliance for Rabies Control (GARC) and
ous gift allowed the Shelter
to vaccinate 250 animals
belonging to members of the
public. HSVB&IRC held one
clinic in Fellsmere and another
at the Shelter on September
thanks also to HSVB&IRC veterinarians
Dr. Beth Bybee and
Dr. Lyndall Soule, community
veterinarians Dr. Jeffrey Slade
and Dr. Annette Sysel, and
HSVB&IRC staff, who were
also instrumental in helping
us vaccinate the animals of
Indian River County. JW
PET PAGES
Book Review
About 20 people braved the October
storms to attend a Blessing of the
Animals and have their pets blessed by Curl up with your pet & a good book
Pastor Dave Newhart at St. Elizabeth’s
A DOG’S PURPOSE
Church. Pastor Newhart commented
that “as God’s creatures, we want to
bless God’s creation.” Along with their
by W. Bruce Cameron
As humans, we probably
have wondered what we are here
on earth to do. Author W. Bruce
pets, the attendees also came with Cameron, a syndicated columnist
donations for the Humane Society. and dog lover, must have thought
there was more to a dog’s pur-
HSVB&IRC thanks Jeremy Maury pose than chewing a bone or
and Temple Beth Shalom for recently chasing a rascally squirrel, so he wrote A
13-year-old Maury coordinated the
blessing with Rabbi Michael Birnholz
Dog’s Purpose.
If you have ever wondered what you
mean to your dog, A Dog’s Purpose will
most assuredly tell you. There is humor and
and Cantor Dannah Rubinstein for his great suspense in this book. It can be a fast
bar mitzvah tzedakah project which read, or it can be one that you put down
encourages individuals to perform acts after a couple of chapters to go look at your
of kindness.
Regardless of how you read this book, in
Director of Education Janet Winikoff and Director of Animal Care Maria
the end you will understand what you mean
to your dog.
Ramirez were recently quoted in a story by the Associated Press on medi-
A Dog’s Purpose is available in papercating
pets. The resulting article subsequently appeared in many national back, and DreamWorks® plans to make it
publications. We’re proud to have these highly regarded experts on our staff. into a movie.
MW