PULLMAN, WA – Jack Tripper is what the staff at Washington State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital affectionately call a “frequent flyer.”
Whether it’s his persistent sinus infection or a random ailment, the roughly 7-year-old royal palm turkey is a familiar face in the hospital’s exotics ward, where he was most recently seen for “ADR.”
“The last time he was here, he just wasn’t as outgoing as his normal self. The vets call it ADR — he ‘Ain’t Doing Right,” said Jenna Ramsey, his caretaker and a veterinary technician assistant in WSU’s small animal intensive care unit. “We ran tests, did blood work and X-rays but never really found anything wrong. He seems fine now, so I think he was just down for whatever reason for a few weeks.”
Jack is one of about 65 animals residing at the Blackbird Ranch Farm Sanctuary, a nonprofit founded by Ramsey eight years ago. Located on 10 acres just north of Pullman, Washington, the sanctuary provides a haven for abused, neglected, and exploited farm animals. Its residents include turkeys, pigeons, cows, donkeys, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, and ducks.
“It was a dream of mine to rescue and save animals. There are so many organizations focused on rescuing dogs, cats, and horses, but farm animals and exotics get forgotten,” Ramsey said. “I wanted to fight for animals who can’t fight for themselves and be a voice for those animals.”
There are so many organizations focused on rescuing dogs, cats, and horses, but farm animals and exotics get forgotten. I wanted to fight for animals who can’t fight for themselves and be a voice for those animals.
Jenna Ramsey, veterinary technician assistant
WSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital
Ramsey relocated to the Palouse from San Diego nine years ago with a vision to establish her animal sanctuary. She chose the area in part for its proximity to the WSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Beyond creating a safe and nurturing environment for her animals, Ramsey wanted to ensure she had access to top-tier veterinary care, ranging from routine checkups to emergency services.
“Being in such close proximity to WSU and its veterinary services is one of the main reasons I chose this area for the sanctuary,” Ramsey said.
For the past two and a half years, Ramsey has worked at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Her firsthand experience with the staff and students there has only deepened her confidence in their abilities.
“I see how good they are firsthand,” she said. “I trust them, the staff, and the students who work on my animals because I work with those same students in the ICU.”
The sanctuary also hosts a steady stream of volunteers, currently numbering about 130, most of whom are undergraduate students at WSU. The volunteers play a critical role in ensuring the animals receive the best care. In turn, the volunteers gain invaluable experience and get to see a different side of farm animals.
Among the sanctuary’s many residents, Jack Tripper is the perfect example of how farm animals feel and have deep and complex emotions.
“He’s kind of our mascot. He’s super friendly and he’s always at the front gate where he greets everybody who comes out to visit,” Ramsey said. “He just captures everybody’s heart.”