00 Pets The Funny Farm Doesn’t Just Save Animals, It Saves...

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Bruce Ianiello, 67, Ret. US Army, has been a vol- unteer at the Funny Farm for over two years now. Every Tuesday and Sunday from 7:45 am to 4:45 pm, he feeds, waters, walks, brushes and cares for over 200 animals. Whether freezing cold and icy or blazing hot and humid, you can find Ianiello here, his adorable granddaughter Kayle not far behind, helping out in every way she can. Ianiello has PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disor- der, brought on by his service in the Vietnam war. Fear, anxiety, panic attacks and depression became the norm for Ianiello. As one of 400,000 U.S. veterans of the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, Ianiello struggles with his own demons. Evidence shows that bonding with animals - has biological effects, such as elevated levels of the hor- mone oxytocin. Oxytocin improves trust, the ability to interpret facial expressions, the overcoming of paranoia and other pro-social effects—the opposite of PTSD symptoms. “e farm is my oasis.” Everything else just fades away.” Ianiello said. When asked what keeps him coming back, he shrugs his broad shoulders and says,”I take one look in these animals eyes and just know they have to be taken care of. If it weren’t for them I don’t know where I would be.” Chucky, the farm resident German Shepherd, sniffs Ianiello for treats and plops down next to him, curious about the conversation but losing interest as he wants to play with his favorite frisbee. It’s no surprise that a doe-eyed creature like Chucky can soothe, but other benefits are less predictable. Animals draw out even the most isolated person- ality. Associating with animals helps traumatized individuals overcome emotional numbness. e animals can also assuage the hyper-vigilance com- mon in people with PTSD. In an anonymous letter written by one of the volunteers at the farm, a heartfelt plea for thanks and awareness was made. For Laurie Zaleski, owner and operator, it’s just another day at the farm. “I’m just so happy to have all of the help we’ve received.” she says humbly. Carry on, Funny Farm. You make us proud. Pets 00 The County Woman Magazine March/April 2016 www.TheCountyWoman.com Visit www.FunnyFarmRescue.org Bruce, his granddaughter Kayle, and Chucky, the mega-esophagus German Shepherd. Top: Bruce, Socks the horse, and a fainting goat Above: Bruce feeding the animals in the snow. Top right: Bruce and the Funny Farm owner, Laurie Zaleski To donate to the Funny Farm Rescue, fill out the below information and mail to: Funny Farm Rescue 6908 RailRoad Blvd., Mays Landing, NJ 08330. Name: Address: Town: State: Zip: Phone: Email: Gift Amount: ank you, in advance, for your generous donation! The Funny Farm Doesn’t Just Save Animals, It Saves People Too Dear 6ABC News, Hello! I want to thank you so much for all you’ve done...... really, you have no idea.... you see, I have PTSD. After years of confusion and self-doubt, I have found a purpose. I bond with the animals when I can’t find the voice to speak to people. I make small talk with the other welcoming volunteers when before I couldn’t manage a sentence. I’ve made friends who like me for me, and understand rather than placate. I am active and out of my house, which I stayed in for almost two years until I saw your coverage of the farm. It was literally a mile from my home! I bike the two-mile ride and am fit, driven, and more importantly, I’m happy. A Heartfelt Thank You, Anonymous

Transcript of 00 Pets The Funny Farm Doesn’t Just Save Animals, It Saves...

Page 1: 00 Pets The Funny Farm Doesn’t Just Save Animals, It Saves ...funnyfarmrescue.org/index_htm_files/ACW-Bruce Pets Funny Farm 2016.pdfAnimals draw out even the most isolated person-ality.

Bruce Ianiello, 67, Ret. US Army, has been a vol-unteer at the Funny Farm for over two years now. Every Tuesday and Sunday from 7:45 am to 4:45 pm, he feeds, waters, walks, brushes and cares for over 200 animals. Whether freezing cold and icy or blazing hot and humid, you can find Ianiello here, his adorable granddaughter Kayle not far behind, helping out in every way she can.

Ianiello has PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disor-der, brought on by his service in the Vietnam war. Fear, anxiety, panic attacks and depression became the norm for Ianiello. As one of 400,000 U.S. veterans of the wars in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan with a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, Ianiello struggles with his own demons. Evidence shows that bonding with animals - has biological effects, such as elevated levels of the hor-mone oxytocin. Oxytocin improves trust, the ability to interpret facial expressions, the overcoming of paranoia and other pro-social effects—the opposite of PTSD symptoms.

“The farm is my oasis.” Everything else just fades away.” Ianiello said. When asked what keeps him coming back, he shrugs his broad shoulders and says,”I take one look in these animals eyes and just know they have to be taken care of. If it weren’t for them I don’t know where I would be.”

Chucky, the farm resident German Shepherd, sniffs Ianiello for treats and plops down next to him, curious about the conversation but losing interest as he wants to play with his favorite frisbee. It’s no surprise that a doe-eyed creature like Chucky can soothe, but other benefits are less predictable. Animals draw out even the most isolated person-ality. Associating with animals helps traumatized individuals overcome emotional numbness. The animals can also assuage the hyper-vigilance com-mon in people with PTSD.

In an anonymous letter written by one of the volunteers at the farm, a heartfelt plea for thanks and awareness was made.

For Laurie Zaleski, owner and operator, it’s just another day at the farm. “I’m just so happy to have all of the help we’ve received.” she says humbly. Carry on, Funny Farm. You make us proud.

Pets00

The County Woman Magazine March/April 2016www.TheCountyWoman.com

Visit www.FunnyFarmRescue.org

Bruce, his granddaughter Kayle, and Chucky, the mega-esophagus German

Shepherd.

Top: Bruce, Socks the horse, and a fainting goat

Above: Bruce feeding the animals in the snow.

Top right: Bruce and the Funny Farm owner, Laurie Zaleski

To donate to the Funny Farm Rescue, fill out the below information and mail to:

Funny Farm Rescue 6908 RailRoad Blvd., Mays Landing, NJ 08330.

Name:

Address:

Town: State: Zip:

Phone: Email:

Gift Amount:

Thank you, in advance, for your generous donation!

The Funny Farm Doesn’t Just Save Animals, It Saves People Too

Dear 6ABC News,

Hello! I want to thank you so much for all

you’ve done......really, you have no idea....

you see, I have PTSD.

After years of confusion and self-doubt, I

have found a purpose. I bond with the animals

when I can’t find the voice to speak to people.

I make small talk with the other welcoming

volunteers when before I couldn’t manage a

sentence. I’ve made friends who like me for

me, and understand rather than placate.

I am active and out of my house, which I

stayed in for almost two years until I saw

your coverage of the farm. It was literally a

mile from my home! I bike the two-mile ride

and am fit, driven, and more importantly,

I’m happy.

A Heartfelt Thank You,

Anonymous