One of the most common questions we hear at Farm Sanctuary is, “What is a day like for your caregivers?” Read on to find out!

Inspiring Senior Wellness Manager, Brooke Marshall, shares how our busy but rewarding days begin in California.

The morning starts off quietly, before the sun is up, while all the animals are still sleeping. I start by prepping all the morning meds and mashes, noting what treatments are due, then head out to the farm. After sunrise, all the residents are let outside of their barns. They are fed, observed, and medications are given to those who need them.

I start with the sheep, then the goats, and then the pigs. Sunscreen is applied to pigs who are prone to sunburn. I head over and check on the cattle and donkeys, adding hay to their feeders. I feed the horses and put Darla’s boots on her front feet. Then I head to each aviary to let out all the birds. Anyone on medication usually loves to eat theirs with a blueberry. I ensure all feed is fed and all water is clean, and fill up the footbaths we use to disinfect our shoes when we enter each aviary. Then I head to the mini donkeys, feed them their mash, and ensure all their fly masks are on. The typical morning is very go-go-go as there are many little things to do along the way, such as communicating with the rest of the team throughout, and sometimes getting assistance from volunteers. Those of us who get in early have lunch around 10:30 am, which may be breakfast time for many people!

It is so rewarding to observe the animals at peace, enjoying their daily routines and enrichment, and watching their friendships. A morning where everything goes as planned is rewarding in itself. When residents are “off,” not eating, or not feeling well, we must turn our attention to them and assess what we can do immediately to make them better, and whether they need a vet appointment. The Wellness and Environment caregivers are essentially with the residents 80 hours a week; they are very much our family! It’s evident when a resident is not feeling well, and it’s hard not to feel upset and stressed when this happens. The on-the-ground team members’ support for each other allows us to get through these stressful situations. We’re here for each other, to lift each other up, to grieve together, or give each other space as needed.

Honky Tonk donkey is my sanctuary soulmate. He’s one-of-a-kind; he’s silly, friendly, aloof, and independent, but always welcomes love and attention. He stands still when I hug him, and I’ll always be the first to walk away. It’s fun to find him in the back pasture, call his name, watch him lock eyes with me, and sometimes stop whatever he’s doing and make a beeline for my direction. Once, I couldn’t find the rest of the donkeys, so he took me on a walk and led me to them. He’s very, very special.

I hope that visitors walk away with fond memories of the new friends they’ve made. I hope they see that each animal they met was an individual, with a strong desire to live in peace and comfort, without stress, and without needing to provide anything for humans. I hope they walk away and realize that every animal deserves autonomy, the freedom to make their own decisions, and to act independently.