Morden's Lorissa Hartry grew up in the small city, was an avid curler at the Morden Curling Club, and never really wanted to leave her hometown, but at the age of 18, she moved to Winnipeg to go to the University of Winnipeg. After three years, she moved to the University of Manitoba so she could take more courses focused on animals, where she obtained her bachelor's in science with a Major in Biology.
During her time in university, Hartry heard about an internship opportunity in Île-des-Chênes at the Wildlife Haven, a place where wild animals are cared for, rehabilitated, and returned to the wild, when possible.
Lorissa was one of three successful applicants accepted into the program out of two hundred.
"I was really surprised. I knew it was competitive, but I didn't know it was that competitive. I felt so special and thankful and honoured they took a chance for me because at that point, when I got the job at Wildlife Haven, I had little to no animal experience at all. And since I've got the job there, I have learned an incredible amount from my managers, my coworkers, and even our volunteers, which are so amazing and helpful and crucial to Wildlife Haven."
Wildlife Haven hospital manager Carter Phillips said Hartry really took full advantage of this opportunity.
"Since her start date, we saw exponential growth in her confidence, capabilities, and medical skills. She came a very long way in a very short period of time. One thing that probably stands out the most about Lorissa specifically is she always had every animal's best interest on her mind. And would always advocate for patient welfare and making sure that they were getting not only just the day-to-day medical and husbandry treatment, but also making sure that the enclosures were enriched, and they were living as comfortably as they could while they were here with us in our care."
Hartry had several cases as highlights of her two years with the organization, made possible by a government grant.
Orphaned woodchucks were a particular challenge outside of the regular animals, like squirrels and bunnies, the hospital would care for.
You can hear her full account of the care they received until their release and the things she learned along the way here.
Phillips said the goal of Wildlife Haven has always been to help care for and protect any injured, orphaned and sick wildlife that comes through our doors from bunnies and squirrels to coyotes, foxes, bald eagles and more.
The organization can treat up to, if not over, 2000 animals at WH. The busiest season is June, July, and August, just after migration when many babies are born, with intakes tapering off into the winter months.
Phillips said most of the patients coming into the hospital are due to human causes such as being hit by a car, shot with a gun, or their habitat, such as a tree, has been removed and the animals are orphaned. WH takes in these animals and does its best to heal and prepare the animal for release into the wild.
Hartry said she really loved being part of releasing animals back into the wild.
"You know, it is emotional. They tell us to try not to get attached, which we try not to, but you get attached in a way to the work that you do for them. Oh, 100% it's emotional. I've cried at releases before. It's so special."
With little to no animal experience coming into the role, Hartry was challenged by the work every day.
"There's challenges every day. I have worked with foxes, porcupines, beavers, each animal comes with its own challenges, and even each individual. And you have to learn so much about that species, especially if it comes in sick or injured. It's always a challenge. But we have a great working relationship between all of our staff at WH that we're able to just kind of figure it out together and get to a good end result, that we're able to send them on the way and release them back into the wild where they should be."
Hartry shared another success story of a bald eagle with a torn retina that doesn't often see such a positive result.
She learned that most of the Bald Eagles that come into the hospital have lead poisoning and so she learned how to tube an eagle to make sure it can receive the necessary nourishment to help it survive. Hartry admitted that it was a bit scary, but her manager worked with her to train her to do this and now she is grateful for this skill to help others in need.
Loss is a natural part of the job. Many times, there are many hours of feeding, changing dressings, and other care for animals that may not survive.
When thinking of her two years at WH, first year as an intern and second year as a deputy supervisor, she has so much to be thankful for.
"It made me feel so grateful for the teachers, my family, the volunteers that helped me get here. I was always so anxious about where I'd be in my future and getting jobs because of the field that I'm in and because there's not a whole lot of opportunity in Manitoba to work with wild animals. I am just so grateful for everybody that has helped me get to this place where I'm so confident about my work and where I stand in life. It is honestly such a dream. I love the work I do so much."
The term for the grant funding for Hartry is now over and she is temporarily working at the Assiniboine Zoo. Earlier this year, she completed her Wildlife Rehabilitator Certificate, and she will continue to volunteer at WH with the hopes of becoming an animal care attendant at the zoo to continue working with animals.
