Elephants are huge wild animals, getting close to them is risky. But Mr. Peter Adam – former animal trainer – defied everything, even wandering around looking for “old friends” again. It is a female elephant named Kirsty, 52 years old, currently living at the Neunkirchen botanical garden in Germany.
32 years ago, in 1987, Peter met the elephant Kirsty at a Scottish zoo when she was 20 years old. The mahout and the animal were together for about seven years when Kirsty was moved to Ireland, and then to Germany.
Elephant Kristy with the statue of Peter in the late 80s
The time spent together is nothing compared to the more than three decades of separation. However, because of his special affection for the intelligent and warm Kirsty elephant, Mr. Peter spent many years searching the Internet, just hoping to know a little about it.
He eventually found Kirsty, who was also retired by the zoo at this time. Immediately, Peter made quick contact with the zoo in Germany and they arranged for an encounter.
Everyone was very excited to witness the moment of reunion. Mr. Peter calmly approached, humming the language of elephants. Meanwhile, Kirsty comfortably stood next to her, and then waved her trunk to the level of the “old man’s” face. That moment made Peter extremely emotional, he thought that the saying “elephants never forget” was a real miracle.
Peter shared: “When Kirsty allowed me to come close and recognize me, it was an emotional experience. I will always keep this memory in my heart.”
A zoo spokesman in Germany also expressed surprise: ” The elephant Kirsty recognized Mr. Peter despite his completely changed appearance. It must have been based on an old familiar voice.”
At the age of 52, Kirsty is still in very good health and well cared for. Mr. Peter, although home in Scotland, also plans to fly to Germany regularly to visit the elephant Kirsty, whom he wholeheartedly cared for and kept company with in his youth.
Devoted service dog bestowed with an honorary degree for aiding owner’s graduation ceremony:
“”Griffin” Hawley, the Golden Retriever service dog, receives a congrats embrace from his owner Brittany Hawley after receiving an honorary diploma from Clarkson on Saturday, December 15, 2018, during the Clarkson University “December Recognition Ceremony” in Potsdam, N.Y. Brittany Hawley, Griffin’s owner, also has a doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. Both students attended all of their classes together.
The school’s board of trustees honored the 4-year-old golden retriever during a recognition event on Saturday, saying he displayed “exceptional effort, unshakable devotion, and devoted attention to the well-being and academic achievement” of Hawley.
Hawley, 25, of Wilson, North Carolina, is wheelchair-bound and suffers from severe discomfort. Griffin, she claims, does a variety of physical activities for her, such as opening doors, turning on lights, and bringing her goods that she designates with a laser pointer. But maybe more importantly, the dog brings consolation in the midst of her constant, acute pain, which generates worry and melancholy.
“The convicts let multiple dogs approach you and let the dog chose you,” Hawley explained. “Some of the dogs were terrified of the wheelchair. Griffin rushed into my lap and licked the side of my face.”
During an internship, Hawley and Griffin assisted troops with physical limitations as well as psycho-social issues at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Brushing a dog can assist enhance a patient’s range of motion, and touching him can help relieve anxiety, according to Hawley.
“My patients would remark, ‘Today, my therapists are Brittany and Griffin,’” she explained.
When she applies for employment, she and Griffin will be considered a package deal, according to Hawley.
“I couldn’t do anything without him,” she explained. “I’m so used to seeing him.”