Harper Weisz: A Healing Gift for Wildlife
By Jo Ann Kirby
All for the Animals
Eleven-year-old Harper Weisz was inspired to help wild animals who are recuperating from injury or illness after she found out about Gold Country Wildlife Rescue. “My mom told me about GC Wildlife Rescue after she saw an Instagram post,” Harper, a sixth-grade student at Vineyard Christian Middle School in Lodi, said.
The organization’s post that inspired Harper read: “Are you handy with tools and skilled in building things? Would you like to help build firehouse hammocks for two black bear cubs currently in our care? Then we might have the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.”
Old fire hoses that are no longer suitable for firefighting are donated to the rescue group, which encourages volunteers to help weave the hoses into hammocks big and small for the critters to lay on while they are rehabilitating at the center. “I wanted to help out because I’ve always loved animals and I thought it would be something fun to do,” Harper said.
Gold Country Wildlife Rescue takes care of lost, injured or abandoned wildlife such as bears, coyotes, mountain lions, raccoons, possums, owls, hawks and all kinds of critters. The nonprofit organization is located in Auburn, California, and has been rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing wildlife in Northern California since 1991.
Harper’s dad, Steve, stopped by the rescue center to pick up used fire hoses so that he could help Harper craft hammocks for animals to lounge in style. “My dad and I built three hammocks,” she said. “Two small ones and one big one. We used old firehoses that were no longer used by the firefighters.”
It took them 16 hours total, over a matter of days, to complete the project. Not only did it help animals in need, but Harper earned community service credit for school. “This opportunity taught me that no matter the size of something, it could help them adjust to change,” she said. And it will go a long way toward making the healing creatures more comfortable as they are on the mend. “My goal in the future is to be kind, humble, successful and to grow my faith in God,” Harper affirmed.
On its Instagram page, Gold Country Wildlife Rescue Center posted pictures of the hammocks under construction and gave Harper and her team of helpers a big shoutout. “The project will help provide enrichment, comfort and fun for wildlife in our care,” the post read. “You can be sure these will be a favorite of bears, raccoons and other mammals that come to us for rehabilitative care and support,” the post continued. “We are also grateful for the donation of fire hose we received. We are beyond grateful for all the support we receive.” The woven fire hose hammocks are bright yellow and look super sturdy to hold creatures big or small.
