Story #59: Compassion in Action
As told by Dean Daubert, President & CEO
It was late fall of 2023.
I was still in my office after hours when a man rushed in, clearly frantic. He had captured an injured goose and didn’t know where else to turn.
He hadn’t called ahead; he just knew that if an animal needed help, he should bring it to us.
At the time, our wildlife intake was based out of South Elgin. Our busy season had ended, and the wildlife team was off-site. The goose had an injured shoulder and was clearly in pain. Wildlife care is not my specialty, so I called Molly, our Director of Animal Pathways, for guidance.
She calmly walked me through stabilizing the bird and providing comfort until proper care could be arranged.
The man had brought his two young children.
Together, they helped gently place the goose into a temporary carrier. They made sure he had water and a safe, calm space. They stayed close as we completed the paperwork. They watched the process, learning firsthand what it looks like to respond when an animal is hurt.
As I reflected on the day, it struck me: the most meaningful part wasn’t the intake or even the medical care that would follow.
It was the lesson those children were witnessing. Their father didn’t have to involve them. He could have handled it alone. But he chose to include them.
He modeled compassion.
He showed responsibility.
He demonstrated that when someone is suffering, action matters.
That is a lesson those children will carry with them for a lifetime.
That is the ripple effect of this work.
It isn’t just about one injured goose. It’s about building a community where kindness is expected and compassion is practiced.
Every time someone brings an injured animal to us, volunteers their time, or supports our work, they are teaching the next generation what it means to care.
It is moments like this that make clear why our work matters.
The impact of showing up extends far beyond one animal. It shapes the values of those who witness it, inspires a culture of empathy, and reminds us that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can ripple through a community, changing lives in ways we may never fully see.
That goose was just one life, but the lesson it carried will last a lifetime.
And that is the power of showing up.
Interested in our Wildlife Center and Rehabilitation Efforts?
Visit us at ahconnects.org/wildlife/ to learn more!
Ready to start your own rescue story?
Meet adoptable animals at Anderson Humane by visiting ahconnects.org/adopt, or help make the next 60 stories possible by donating in honor of our 60th Anniversary.
Interested in becoming a Volunteer?
Visit ahconnects.org/volunteer/ for more information on how you can get involved.
