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. 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. Lloyd, an animal rescue volunteer, holding two displaced puppies. 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 Animal rescue mobile headquarters staged in Jackson, Mississippi. 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." The rescue team set up a compound in Gautier, Mississippi, next to the animal control shelter. 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.

Prosthetist/Orthotist Rescues Animals from Katrina Disaster

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Prosthetist/Orthotist Rescues Animals from Katrina Disaster

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Pediatric Orthotic & Prosthetic Clinician Department of Orthopaedic Surgery – UCSF

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