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Prosthetist/Orthotist Rescues Animals from Katrina Disaster
By Sherry Metzger, MS  A well-known member of the O&P
community, Ronnie Graves, CO, BOCPO, LPO, RTP, heroically assisted
in the rescue of hundreds of animals in Mississippi. Graves, owner
of Prosthetics Research Specialists Inc., Bushnell, Florida, which
provides cosmetic skin applications for amputees and created
technology for skin sleeves, is an avid animal lover. His "animal
family" includes eight dogs, five goats, a horse, two mules, and a
three-legged miniature donkey! Graves and his wife, Linda often
volunteer for animal rescues.
After Hurricane Charley, Ronnie Graves sold his drag-racing team
to purchase animal rescue equipment, including a 44-foot,
air-conditioned trailer he equipped with 45 stainless steel kennels
to transport animals, a camper for sleeping quarters, portable
shower, icemaker, 1,200 gallons of water, washer, dryer, and a
30-kilowatt diesel generator. More than $80,000 was spent on this
equipment, mostly out-of-pocket, though a few local citizens and
others have donated money. His preparedness, in fact, is the reason
the government and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
assign his team to the hardest-hit areas in disaster
situations.
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Lloyd, an animal rescue volunteer, holding two displaced puppies. |
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After Katrina struck, Graves mobilized his team
and equipment and headed into the devastated area. "This is by far
the hardest disaster I've ever responded to," Graves said of the 21
days he spent rescuing animals in Mississippi. To his great
frustration and disappointment, his crew was held in Jackson,
Mississippi, for four days. "Although we went in with enough
equipment and supplies [food, water and fuel] for 14 people, I was
told I had to have enough to feed 30 people for two weeks! So, I
spent another $3,000, just so they'd let me in!"
Dramatic Rescue
They were allowed to enter briefly to do an emergency rescue
overnight in Gulfport at the Humane Society of Southern
Mississippi. Without being able to refuel, they made the 400-mile
roundtrip into Gulfport. "We made it on a prayer," Graves said.
They arrived at midnight in a completely dark city, but were
equipped with their own generators for light. Because there was a
curfew in effect, they had to have special permission to enter the
city at that hour. "You're going in at your own risk, and you know
that," Graves said. "But, you're going to rescue as many as you
can." Hundreds of animals were trapped in their cages and those in
the lower cages didn't survive the flood. However, more than 130
animals in upper cages survived and were in need of rescue. Two
workers had stayed behind to care for the animals, and when Graves
showed up, "they were ecstatic!" Graves described. "The relief on
their faces was so great. They knew each animal by name, and they
really cared. They were thrilled that we were able to get all the
animals out at one time and not have to do multiple trips." They
took the animals to the Jackson County Fairgrounds, a huge arena
where human survivors also were being housed. "We got back at 4:30
in the morning and got two hours of sleep before we had to begin
the decontamination process on the animals and our equipment."
Avoiding Danger; Helping Pets, Owners
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Animal rescue mobile headquarters staged in Jackson, Mississippi. |
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Graves is chairman of Sumter DART (Disaster Animal
Response Team) Logistical Inc., a group that began in 1992 in
response to Hurricane Andrew. DART volunteers are Florida
State-trained personnel who are activated with a response number
that allows them into disaster areas. His team typically sets up a
compound for other rescue teams to work from.
Volunteers left the compound in teams of two to rescue animals
and bring them back to Graves' trailer. They found animals that
were left behind and trapped in homes that had been uprooted by the
floodwaters and dropped back down to the ground in a different
location. "The animals were starting to 'pack up' in the streets.
[In a situation like this] they start eating things they shouldn't,
like corpses and other animals," Graves explained. "I've seen dogs
take a Chihuahua out of a woman's arms and eat it. It's scary.
You're dealing with animals that want to eat you!"
Graves added, "We also had to deal with people who didn't think
they needed help. We had to be diplomatic and careful not to
alienate [the animal owners]. We couldn't just walk in and take
their animals away."
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The rescue team set up a compound in Gautier, Mississippi, next to the animal control shelter. |
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Graves joked that his friends call him and
Production Manager Daniel Hickey, "The MacGyver Team" because of
their "can-do" attitude. "Just tell us what you want--don't ask us
how we do it--and we'll get it done for you," he said, adding, "Dan
did a tremendous amount. He worked around the clock, above and
beyond the call of duty."
Graves concluded, "Our biggest reward is reuniting a person with
their animal. That's why we do it! These people don't have a thing
in the world, and when you put their pet back in their arms, they
go nuts! The pain is gone; part of their life has been restored.
And you've just made a friend forever. To help Graves and his team rescue animals, donations may be sent to Sumter DART Logistical Inc., 720 E. Southland Ave., Bushnell, FL 33513. One hundred percent of your donation will be directly used to purchase equipment for animal rescue. 
Table Of Contents - December 2005
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O&P Community Rallies Support for Katrina Victims
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, many in the O&P field have offered financial assistance, support, and relief to the victims of what has been called the greatest natural disaster the US has ever faced.
Feature
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Prosthetist/Orthotist Rescues Animals from Katrina Disaster
A well-known member of the O&P community, Ronnie Graves, CO, BOCPO, LPO, RTP, heroically assisted in the rescue of hundreds of animals in Mississippi.
Feature
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Pedorthics: Helping People Get Back to Work
Not every pedorthist faces a first-time workers-compensation case like this one!
Stepping Out
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Natural Disasters: Can Your Practice Survive?
Legal EDGE
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Karl Fillauer: Passionate about O&P
Industry Leader
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Hans Richard Lehneis, PhD, CPO, Passes
Industry Insight
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Got FAQs?
Got FAQs?
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Luci Busch, RTP
Profile
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Please Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Perspective
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From the Editor: New Managing Editor Joins The EDGE
Viewpoint
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