Book event: life lessons from wild animals
After a successful career in literature, Ingrid Thoenelt pursued a second career as a veterinary technician. One of her volunteers at the Boulder Humane Society was 13-year-old Amanda Manoa – ironically the current Animal Care Supervisor at Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Together, they helped dogs overcome behavioral issues to be eligible for adoption.
After losing touch for a decade, their teacher roles switched when Ingrid came to Greenwood with Manoa as her official mentor and sponsor for her wildlife rehabilitation license in Colorado. Ingrid honored Manoa as her “soul sister” on her new book, “A Place to Heal,” dedication page.
Ingrid has been involved with animals her whole life. For the past seven years, she has volunteered with Greenwood caring for waterfowl and also obtained her state rehabilitator’s license. Inspired by her time at Greenwood, she wrote the stories of her favorite wild patients, like Fred the Pelican. A friend pushed her to publish these stories. Ingrid became a published author in July 2022.
Raising Wild Babies
A majority of Greenwood patients are orphaned wildlife. Though wild animals don’t often abandon their young, mistakes happen. Loud noises, humans, or daily foraging routines can cause adults to be away for an extended time.
Sometimes orphaned wildlife can be adopted by other mothers. However, this is not a task to attempt without a licensed professional. Greenwood staff will guide rescuers throughout the complex process, if possible.
Ingrid recounts one such successful tale in the first chapter of her book. Found alone in a field, three fluffy goslings needed some help from Greenwood. On a cold day, Ingrid jumped into action, searching for a goose family near a pond. Finally, the third time’s the charm. Two geese and four goslings were feeding among the grass. Ingrid released the orphaned patients, and the goslings immediately waddle happily toward their new family. All gliding into the lake together under the afternoon sun.
“And I am happy,” Ingrid writes. “I have saved three lives today – what could be more rewarding?”
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A Night of Animal Tales
Friday, March 10th, at the Lyons Community Library from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
“A Place to Heal,” written by wildlife author and rehabilitator Ingrid Thoenelt, is filled with impacted short stories with a poetic flair. Ingrid highlights not only wildlife rehabilitation topics, but also the complex relationships between humans and animals.
The book is categorized by life lessons from wild animals, such as ‘Mending Body and Soul’ and ‘The Heartbreak of Farewells.’ Ingrid humanizes the wildlife experience, hoping the public can see these species as unique individuals. She believes that those moments of deep connection can change a person for the better in terms of kindness and compassion.
Each year, Ingrid reads one of her heartfelt stories at the Greenwood fundraiser “Wild Night for Wildlife.” The room participants often fill with watery eyes and touched hearts as she shares her impactful moments with the animals.
Save the date for a book reading with Ingrid, including some of these heartfelt stories. Join us on Friday, March 10th, at the Lyons Library from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. There will be merchandise raffles, educational stories, and so much more.
All the proceeds of this book, both at the Greenwood and Lyons Library, will be donated to the operations of Greenwood and the release of orphaned, injured, and sick wildlife. Register now at the Lyons Library event page.
