A challenge to our members…

It is time again for the GERL quarterly newsletter. Every quarter we publish articles to keep our members updated on what is going on with GERL. I have always enjoyed reading the stories, learning about upcoming events, what companies support GERL, and just basically being amazed by what our members are able to accomplish to help equine in the state of Georgia.  I have come to the realization that during my time with GERL I have gone from a person that just wanted to support this group by attending a few events to a person that is passionate about helping GERL try and solve the problem of the unwanted horse.  I guess Patty Livingston is rubbing off on me.

Well, soon I will be moving into a new chapter of my life, I am going to be retiring in May. So, now the question is, what am I going to do to help GERL move toward solving the problem of the unwanted horse? Well, I decided to start by rereading Patty’s “Get Well Plan” (if you have not read the “get Well Plan”, you need to.  It is available on GERL’s web site www.gerlltd.org) The “Get Well Plan” is unique to our group and it addresses the problems associated with neglected and abused horses.   It starts by listing 5 things that need to be addressed if we are ever going to help solve the problem of the unwanted horse. They are as follows: A. Reduction of reproduction, B. Prosecution, C. Disposition, D. Financial, E. Education.  It then goes on to describe what can be to help solve these problems.   I encourage everyone to read this carefully and then decide if and what you could do to help.

Personally, I feel that I will be able to provide the most help through education.  I have spent the majority of my adult life as a college professor. As you can tell from this article I am not an English professor.  Anyway, I have always enjoyed teaching and research.  I love introducing information that provokes thought in my students.  For me it is very rewarding to see a person actually start thinking about a topic or issue instead of just reacting.  For example; Last fall I saw an opportunity to educate a colleague on the equine problem in Georgia.  Taylor Upole, a non-horse person, teaches a criminal justice forensic class at the college.  So, I invited her to attend a GERL Law enforcement training class in Jesup.  I convinced her and our administration that this would be an excellent professional development opportunity.  With the support of our administration, Taylor accompanied me to the training.   She was very impressed. In fact, she was so impressed that she arranged for Kevin, one of our speakers, to come and give a presentation to her class.  This was approved and supported by the college and the students loved him.  Through this one opportunity, over 25 criminal justice majors were introduced to the problem of animal neglect in Georgia. These are our future law enforcement officers.  Hopefully, because of this exposure, they will be more willing to prosecute animal cruelty cases.   Kevin’s presentation was so well received by the students it has led to the college supporting more training.  They are giving me the opportunity to attend the Animal Law Symposium in Atlanta.

So, when I retire my goal is going to be to take every opportunity possible to get the general public, county, and state official, anyone that will listen to identify the problems associated with neglected and abused equine in the state of Georgia and to think about finding solutions.

Now I would like to challenge you, our members, read the “Get Well Plan” pick one small thing and see what you can do.  It doesn’t take much to help find a solution to the problem of the unwanted, neglected, and abused equine in Georgia.