I left my business casual attire back in North Carolina; I knew I wouldn’t be needing it here at CAS. However, I didn’t realize that muck boots would have been a good thing to have packed – yes, even in my office job as assistant to Director/Founder Kathy Stevens.

In order to understand this organization I have been following tours, cleaning food bowls, listening to the animals’ rescue stories, meeting volunteers, trying to keep up with Kathy’s crazy busy schedule, and learning what each staff member’s role is at CAS.

What I noticed right away about the staff here is their high level of joy – every day, even at 7:30 in the morning. And it’s contagious. You can’t help but smile when you hear Kathy yell “Hey pig pig, I love you pig pig”, or when you see Abbie lovingly hold a hen close to her and whisper to him as she cleans out his ears (yes, I learned where a chicken’s ears are), or when Zach introduces you to his favorite group, the “frat boys” a group of rooster friends who live in a barn painted with Greek symbols.

I love that when I come down the driveway to work there are cows to my right, goats to my left, and a barn cat who insist that I maneuver my Jeep around her sunning spot in the road. That happiness I feel is returned by the staff and volunteers who put all their heart (and a whole lot of energy) into this place. There is so much love here, so much happiness. It is the perfect environment for a wounded animal’s soul to heal.