A catalogue of stories of connection and compassion between humans and other species for use in public exhibits. Each story emphasizes what we have in common versus what makes us different, and shows other animals as someones instead of somethings.
When Erin decided she'd like to breed her favorite horse so that she could have a foal that would carry on her characteristics, she was surprised when the foal, Rio, was born and looked nothing like either her father or mother. She is a paint - white with brown spots. She found that Rio was very intelligent and determined to be respected as independent and What she grew to realize, was that Rio demanded respect and acceptance, and had her own struggles with separation anxiety and being kept fenced in. She shows Erin that she can escape whenever she wants to but chooses to stay.
I was so moved by what I saw and felt at the snow-covered farm I visited last weekend - not only by the animals and their stories, but by the woman who has rescued the animals and helps girls in the Department of Social Services who are able to heal through trauma by working on the farm.