Dawn Barbone–founder of Samadhi Wildlife, a nonprofit refuge in Ormond Beach
that rehabilitates sick, injured, and orphaned wildlife native to Florida—explains that she hasn’t merely loved animals since she was a child, but has also loved healing them since then. It’s not uncommon in the animal welfare world to encounter someone who was that kid in the neighborhood, tending to sick or injured critters. But it’s exceptionally rare to meet someone who knew at that early age they were meant to care for ill or wounded animals as their life’s work—as a calling. In this conversation, though, that’s exactly the ambition Barbone described, running as a thru-line across her formative years, into adulthood–always focused on wildlife—never losing sight of her dream, even while circumstances, like being a single mom raising her son, deferred realizing that dream. But Barbone volunteered at wildlife rehab places when she could, learning the ropes, teaching herself some healing skills, confirming her sense that she was an empath–sharing a particularly profound connection with animals. Then, Barbone recalls, when she was injured in 2018, sort of making lemonade from that lemon, she
began to lay the groundwork for what became Samadhi Wildlife. (The name, suggested by her husband, Jesse, refers to a state of intense concentration achieved through meditation; in Hindu yoga, it’s regarded as the final stage, when you encounter God.) Barbone notes that the first week Samadhi Wildlife threw open its doors, the place was deluged with animals, a pace that’s largely continued to this day, and if anything, has probably grown busier. Samadhi is licensed through the state, so Barbone receives calls—and animals in need of care—directly from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Between this and widening awareness amongst people and rescues, sanctuaries, and other organizations, Barbone and company maintain a relentless pace of treating raccoons, opossums, rabbits, deer, coyotes, bobcats, and other critters. She calls Samadhi an “E.R. for wildlife.” This furious tempo maintains something of an inverse relationship with income. For example, the FWC supplies Samadhi Wildlife endless patients, but zero finances. Likewise, though more broadly, Samadhi receives no government funding of any kind. A nonprofit, this operation is funded entirely by donations. That’s your cue: https://samadhiwildlife.org/
ALSO: I spoke with R-J Vida, a co-founder & CEO of the PURE Initiative, which aims to clean, maintain, and revive Tampa Bay’s waters. The acronym PURE stands for Preserve, Uphold, Revive, Educate. Vida outlined PURE Initiative’s history and mission, including that they convene monthly for a major clean-up undertaking—the second Sunday of the month, including Dec. 14, meeting at 8am, in this case at the Davis Island boat ramp. At this point, Vida said, 40-50 folks typically turn up at these monthly Clean-Ups, which are focused on removing plastics and other trash from Tampa’s waters and shores. Those wanting to join these efforts are welcome, though Vida explained that PURE asks that all volunteers RSVP via its website (https://pureinitiative.org/clean-ups/), so as to generate a headcount that’s important for providing everyone work gloves and other Clean-Up gear, not to mention doughnuts and swag.
COMEDY CORNER: Sebastian Maniscalco’s “Opossum Problem” (DS edit) (https://www.sebastianlive.com/)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme”
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play “Name That Animal Tune” today.
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