HALTER Project helped roll out major messaging programs to promote safety on the trail, in the barn, on the road, and at home for equestrians. Partnering with the Marin Horse Council, Marin SAR, and Marin Humane, we spent five great days helping people learn how to create ready kits, improve barn safety, and how to become a volunteer to help animals in emergencies and disasters.
The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine presented the 2018 El Blanco Award to Tom and Julie Atwood, and the DMARLOU Foundation in memory of Dorothy & Martell Kaliski. This award recognizes significant contributions that animal owners and other benefactors have made to clinical veterinary medicine.
32 students attended the first-ever class in Sonoma County specifically for Volunteers interested in learning what it takes to become an Animal Disaster Service Worker.
The 2-day course was taught by John Maretti, from the Animal Rescue Training Company, and Ryan Soulsby, Director of Operations for Butte County Animal Services. Firefighters from Sonoma Valley Fire Rescue Authority, (SVFRA), taught the Fireline Safety module. An “update” presentation was made by Brian Whipple of Sonoma County Animal Services. Julie Atwood, of The HALTER Project, taught training modules on media communication, and an overview of volunteer animal disaster response roles & responsibilities and training options in Northern California and answered questions during a lunchtime ADSW “Q&A” session.
Awarded to individuals in recognition of their volunteerism and commitment to community, and, participation as a member of the dedicated EMS providers and professionals who worked well together during, and after, the Northern California Wildfires in October 2017.
22 Sonoma Valley & Graton firefighters, 3 Marin SAR members, officers from Marin Humane & Yolo County Animal Services, 8 certified volunteers, Volunteers, 5 Vets, and 3 UCD Students from the Veterinary Emergency Response Team (VERT) plus 4 Instructors from the Large Animal Rescue Company, came together to practice Technical Rescue skills amidst the charred forest left by the Nuns Fire. The group was divided into 3 teams, each responding to 6 scenarios ranging from a cast horse to a trailer accident and an “over the edge” Rescue. Great teamwork, and team-building.
Over the past several years, members of Sonoma Valley Fire, Kenwood Fire, Graton Fire and Sebastopol Fire Departments have been getting certified in large animal technical rescue. Along with these certified courses, the fire agencies have been attending workshops, seminars, conferences and additional trainings to further their knowledge in this service area. The Sonoma Valley Animal Emergency Response Teams' new HALTER-sponsored trailer arrived in January, and they are now available 24/7 to assist agencies throughout the County of Sonoma under existing mutual aid agreements.
SVFRA is sending every firefighter and medic in the agency- including Volunteers- through this course. Quite a few are already certified Animal Rescue Technicians. It’s immensely rewarding to see the interest, dedication and courage of our first responders! Most are more comfortable entering a burning building than approaching a horse. But now, ALL will be safer in every incident involving animals of all species!
** Note: this class supports the CaSFMT “Animal Awareness” Training, is free, and is available to any local or regional agency. Contact us to get connected with qualified training resources in your area.
HALTER was a presenter at this prestigious semi-annual international conference hosted by UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in partnership with the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association (BARTA).
ATR-Awareness: 34 students certified. ATR-Technician: 28 students certified, including: firefighters, veterinarians, livestock managers, Search & Rescue members, NVDAG members, community volunteers.
Joining the North Valley Animal Disaster Group's Animal Evacuation and Shelter Teams.
Joining in the fun.
Napa County Animal Services promotes microchipping for your horses in addition to any tags or visuals for added security.
With the Daredevil Darlings Trick Riders, at the Russian River Rodeo. We love RRR for it's hometown pride and commitment to care for animals.
Smarty never misses the Glen Ellen Fire Department Mother's Day Pancake Breakfast!
The third HALTER Ranch Readiness Day was held April 30th at Saralee and Richard’s Barn, Sonoma County Fairgrounds & Event Center. World-class speakers, exciting demonstrations, heartwarming & inspiring stories. RIDE TV was there, filming a 60-minute episode for Ride on the Road.
Supporting Windsor Fire Department's annual Chili Cookoff with Rocket's Chili (named after our local Windsor Search Dog Superhero!
On April 1, Smarty and Sparky teamed up at Graton Volunteer Fire Department's “No Fooling – Get Prepared” Disaster Fair.
HALTER works to reach the whole community by supporting youth agriculture education.
A fantastic 2-day BULL (Bull: Best Useful Livestock Lessons) training with terrific group of Washoe County Animal Control Officers, taught by Code 3 Associates of Longmont, CO, assisted by Tayla (seated).
Getting comfy in Nomex
The HALTER Project is a proud sponsor of MARIN HUMANE. Making Lives Happy: a cuddly kitten & puppy photo op with Captain Cindy Machado at the Gala.
We were invited to join Drs. John Madigan & Eric Green (DVMs), and Jim Green of BARTA, for 4 days of networking and sharing experiences to enhance the growing program of integrated animal emergency response in Colorado.
The first 3 of 5 RESQUIP Equine Training Mannequins arrived and deploys to Marin Search & Rescue/Marin Humane, Sonoma Valley-Glen Ellen ATR Group, and Graton Volunteer Fire/SCAS. Assembly crew included: Julie Atwood; Atwood Ranch Horse Manager, Jim Spencer; CAL FIRE & Glen Ellen Animal Rescue Technician, Everett Kemp; Graton Fire Fighter, Lee Walker Jr.; Marin County SAR, Robert Eichstaedt.
Wonderful and diverse group of riders graciously hosted by Belos Cavalos in Kenwood CA. Instructor, Trish Andrade, DVM, UCD-IAWTI, demonstrates a basic skill for sliding or rolling a cast horse.
Photo shoot with equine photography superstar Tara Arrowood
result in establishment of Emergency Shelter for Large Animals during floods. Thank you, Fairgrounds administration and staff!
"The Role of Equestrian Organizations in Emergency & Disaster Preparedness"
Training with experienced and new ACOs, firefighters, and volunteers was a wonderful experience in the beautiful Gold Country.
HALTER presented with a 2016 FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Award in the Awareness to Action category at a White House ceremony in Washington DC. HALTER also received an Honorable Mention in the Community Preparedness Champions Award Category.
HALTER sponsored the fun and exciting BATTLE Cup and donated a complete Equine Rescue Kit to the very successful auction.
First responders from Bodega Bay, Fort Ross, Graton, Monte Rio, Mountain, Petaluma, and Timber Cove, joined by Tere Crocker DVM, trained in Animal Technical Rescue Operational skills in Monte Rio.
First responders from Marin Search and Rescue, Marin Humane Society officers, and Petaluma area horse owners trained in Animal Technical Rescue Operational Skills in Glen Ellen.
The second HALTER Ranch Readiness Day was held June 26th at the SRJC Shone Farm Agricultural Teaching Facility. More than 200 participants engaged in a busy day of presentations, demonstrations, conversation, and information exchange.
Sonoma County’s first Animal Technical Rescue trailer establishes a portable equipment cache to backup animal services, firefighters and veterinarians collaborating providing safe, skilled, humane large animal technical rescue in the North Bay area.
KFPD Explorers invited HALTER to share the fun in hosting an ATR information booth and equipment display at the delicious pancake breakfast. KFPD received donations towards building their equipment cache!
In attendance were 17 CAL fire and emergency responders trained in operational and technical skills at the Atwood Ranch in Red Bluff. We were honored with a visit by Joe Gear, Assist. Chief Special Operations, OES Fire & Rescue.
Made a presentation and new friends at the charming & historic Novato Horsemen’s Clubhouse.
HALTER and Sonoma Smarty honored Moms with a display and fundraising at this fun event annual. Our local ATR team are also fabulous pancake flippers!
HALTER becomes a high level sponsors and donated a complete LAR emergency kit purchased at auction by Marin County Mounted Assistance Unit.
Demonstrated the use of rescue back board and straps. With the help of Dr. Amber Johnson, of Artaurus Vet Clinic and horse developer Callie Krickeberg. Made a great connection with Camilla Gray-Nelson owner of Dairy del Canine and noted author of Lipstick and the Leash.
HALTER delivers “Emergency Preparedness” Outreach presentations to local clubs from April to July.
HALTER AND IAWTI hosted a VIP reception for Jim Green at the Atwood Ranch in Glen Ellen. Sonoma Valley Supervisor Susan Gorin welcomed Jim Green to Sonoma Valley.
Taught 34 local firefighters and volunteers basics of handling horses and livestock in an emergency.
HALTER collaborates with local groups to facilitate "Neighborhood Rural Readiness Meetings", providing equipment lists and resources, education information, and general guidance to community stakeholders.
To date, HALTER has sponsored 3 trainings, 2 community meetings, and more than 52 scholarships to First and Frontline Responders.
HALTER is facilitating establishment of LAR equipment funds for local fire departments, county Animal Services, and Grange chapters.
HALTER creates "Safe Horse & Stock Handling for Beginners" teaching materials to facilitate education of first and frontline responders and Disaster Service Worker volunteers.
HALTER produces educational display & materials for Sonoma County Farm Bureau Ag Days event for 6,000 local elementary school children.
HALTER sponsors FSTEP-LAR Operational Trainings in Sonoma Valley. Classroom module is hosted by Kenwood Fire Department. Equipment and Field Exercise Training is held the Atwood Ranch in Glen Ellen.
FirstHALTER sponsors FSTEP-LAR Operational Trainings in Sonoma Valley. Classroom module is hosted by Glen Ellen Fire Department. Equipment and Field Exercise Training is held the Atwood Ranch in Glen Ellen.
First HALTER newsletter is published, encouraging neighbor-to-neighbor communication and collaboration with government and nongovernment agencies. The newsletter is sent to over 1,600 readers.
HALTER presents examples of Ranch Emergency Kits, Go-Bags and Large Animal identification kits to Petaluma Grange members.
HALTER creates a fun "Holiday Gift List" featuring an array of emergency preparedness items for large animal owners. The HALTER “Holiday Gift Guide" is featured in 3 regional magazines and Sonoma-Marin Farm Bureau November-December newspaper.
HALTER works with portrait photograph, Melania Mahoney, to publish “A Year of Recovery” 2016 calendar recounting the stories of families and animals the helped by the Middletown Animal Hospital. Proceeds directly benefit to MAH, in providing continuing no-and low-cost treatment and services.
HALTER provides scholarships to First Responders attending two trainings in Northern California.
Sponsored by HALTER, more than 3 dozen Sonoma County first responders attend trainings, Several become the first responders in many years to obtain State Fire Training certification in Large Animal Rescue.
Ranch Readiness Day becomes HALTER HONOR the HEROES, on November 15.
Glen Ellen Volunteer Fire Department deploys and successfully rescues a down horse on Sonoma Mountain.
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors honors HALTER with a Gold Resolution for “Commitment to helping first responders and community members acquire skills and resources for Large Animal Emergency Response.”
HALTER brings “Sonoma Smarty”, a life-sized model wearing the Large Animal Lift, to the Sonoma Valley Fire and Rescue Open House.
HALTER brings equine rescue display to the Sonoma Horse Park Season Finale Horse Show, introducing Large Animal Rescue equipment and resource to a large audience.
HALTER facilitates communication and donation support for Middletown Animal Hospital (MAH), other vets, and qualified volunteers.
HALTER establishes fund to provide critical care support to Middletown Animal Hospital, collects and coordinates supply donations for Lake County residents and animals.
HALTER establishes a GoFundMe, raising more than $225,000 to assist in providing financial support for Middletown Animal Hospital.
In response to requests, HALTER website grows to include resources links for relief donations, volunteer coordinatio and lost animal reunification.
Wildfires blaze through Northern California, displacing thousands of people and devastating many homes, business, families and animals in Lake County’s rural communities. HALTER responds!
HALTER’s float in the Sonoma 4th of July Parade wins “Best Animal Entry” prize.
HALTER sponsors Open Jumper class at Giant Steps Charity Classic, and awards the winner a trailer tote packed with emergency supplies and a new halter.
HALTER travels to multiple locations throughout Sonoma County to display rescue equipment and share emergency preparedness resources at horse shows, feed stores, fire department open houses, neighborhood meetings and Customer Appreciations Days.
HALTER establishes a grant to the University of California, Davis Center for Equine Health to support sustainability of a Large Animal Emergency training curriculum and development of future educators
HALTER provides ongoing support to the Western Institute for Food and Safety (WIFSS), and International Animal Welfare Training Institute (IAWTI).
Throughout 2014 and into early 2015, HALTER participates in seminars, trainings, and research with leaders in the field of emergency and disaster planning and preparedness.
City of Sonoma proclaims May 4, 2014 Sonoma Valley “Ranch Readiness Day”.
HALTER produces the first Ranch Readiness Day Emergency Preparedness Fair, connecting rural residents with government agencies, service organizations and businesses, and community organizations.
HALTER engages in meetings with educators at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine who introduce HALTER to the equipment and skills developed as a result of numerous emergencies, both large and small.
