Kindness
Ranch Internship, Wyoming
The Kindness Ranch is an
organization dedicated
to rescuing and
rehabilitating animals
formerly used in research
"Wipe
Your Paws", story from the Casper Star Tribune
Brochure
Application
Volunteer
Agreement
Mary Kay is an impressive looking horse that enjoys special attention
from visitors. From running in the pasture to working on training with
Matt, she is enjoying her new life at Kindness Ranch. She has been in
nutrition and physiology studies her entire life, and is taking to
retirement with great enjoyment. She is a 16 year-old bay with a club
foot. The club foot doesn't hinder her from galloping in the pastures
from time to time.
Emma will touch your heart. She is a very gentle and shy Treeing Walker
Coonhound Lab mix who spent much of the first year of her life in a
laboratory. She will be ready for adoption in the future, but at the
moment she needs additional time and socialization at the ranch. She
loves to romp and play with her dog friends, but she is still rather
nervous around people. We are working with her on a daily basis to bring
more joy to her life and to help her build trust in people.
Sassy takes full advantage of the beds in the cat yurt and the outdoor
play area, but, really, she’d rather have her own home and caretaker.
She is affectionate, healthy, and enjoys other cats. When she first
arrived, she was quite shy. New visitors wouldn’t see her on their first
trip to the yurt. Today, she is ready to check out the new comer and
enjoys a gentle touch.
Kindness Ranch
854 State Highway 270
Hartville, WY 82215
Phone: 307-735-4177
E-Mail:
info@kindnessranch.org
Web Site: www.kindnessranch.org
THE KINDNESS RANCH – AMERICAN SANCTUARY FOR
RESEARCH ANIMALS
Internship Opportunities for Truman State University Students
Do you share in our love for the well being of
animals? Are you considering a career in animal welfare, veterinary services, or
the behavioral sciences? If so, consider an internship at the ranch!
Situated in eastern Wyoming, the
Kindness Ranch
consists of nearly 1,000 acres of land, home-style yurts for cats and dogs,
barns and paddocks for horses, pigs and other farm animals, plus several yurts
for volunteers and visitors. Future plans include building dozens of new yurts
and safe runs for more than 300 cats and dogs, housing for hundreds of small
animals, barns and paddocks for needy farms animals, as well as state-of-the-art
veterinary facilities. Co-Directors Dr. Karen Straight and Matt Farwell share
their story about the ranch at
Wyoming
Tourism
Truman State University has partnered with the Kindness Ranch to provide students with opportunities for experiential learning. They are the only facility of its kind working to rehabilitate former research animals. Cats and dogs at The Kindness Ranch live together with their human caretakers in spacious yurts specially designed to meet their needs. So far the results have been amazing: animals used in various research protocols who have been traumatized, isolated or otherwise prevented from living “normal” lives have thrived on the human attention and tenderness we offer. Student interns are a critical part of this process.
Interns will:• work hands-on in the rehabilitation efforts at the ranch. Students will be partnered with animals for the duration of their stay to provide socialization
• analyze and record the animals’ progress towards health
feature their work with the animals the Kindness Ranch web page, helping others to understand the important work that is being done at the ranch
• explore the study of animals in society through active discussion and readings
The Animals
The ranch has dogs, cats, rabbits, pigs, and horses who have been used in
research at commercial and educational laboratories. Students will work most
intimately with the dogs, cats, pigs, and rabbits. The animals vary in their
experience and needs. Most of the animals have lived their entire lives in
kennels or cages. They need socialization to teach them about how to bond with
humans, learn to play, have fun, and live in a home environment. The
socialization process will range from introducing the animals to toys,
providing loving and healing cuddles, walking the dogs, to more active exercises
in our lovely large heated barn and in the fenced in yard.
Who Should Apply
Students with a sincere love of animals with an interest
in rehabilitation should apply. They will provide you with training; it is
most important that you feel a deep commitment to the well being of animals and
an interest in learning more about how you can contribute to their well being.
Behavioral science, pre-veterinary majors, and those in the agricultural
sciences will find that their experiences to be especially valuable.
Supervision
You will work closely with Dr. Karen Straight, Professor
of Sociology and Outreach Director of Kindness Ranch, as well as the Ranch
Manager, Matt Farwell. They will offer students both three week and
semester length internship opportunities. The first three week three credit
internship program was offered over the 2008-2009 winter intersession.
Summer offerings will also be available.
Faculty For More Information
Dr. Amber Johnson, Chair of Society &
Environment
660-785-4322
ajohnson@truman.edu
Dr. Elaine McDuff, Professor of Sociology
660-785-4360
emcduff@truman.edu
Dr. Tom Marshall, Professor of Agricultural Science
660-785-4281
sc54@truman.edu
Travel Arrangements and
Accommodations
Interns will live on
the sanctuary grounds in our beautiful cat or dog yurt. The yurts have bright
windows, two bedrooms with a total of four beds, a kitchen, and washer and
drawer. Accommodation will be provided at no charge to interns approved for
their time at the ranch. Students will need to pay for food and travel
arrangements. If you do not have a car, we will offer twice weekly trips to
Guernsey (10 minutes away) for groceries. You may drive to the ranch.
Students may take the bus from Columbia, Missouri to Wheatland, Wyoming.
Change buses one time in Denver. The connection is a good one. Alternatively,
fly to Denver, take a taxi to the bus station, and take the bus to Wheatland.
Let us know of your arrival in Wheatland, and we will come and pick you up (a
half hour from the ranch).
Surrounding Area
This is a wonderful area for nature lovers. You will see elk and antelope
on our property. You can go on long hikes on the ranch. Guernsey state
park and its beautiful reservoir are just 9 miles away. The Oregon Trail
came through Guernsey, and you can still see the ruts. There is a
lovely 2.5 mile walk along the North Platte River. During ski season, you
can drive to Casper for day skiing. You might take a weekend trip to Colorado
for skiing as well.