Wilson County Disaster Animal Response Team

Warren and Julie Grace hosted a Self Defense Class for the WC DART Team at the Guardian Studio in Lebanon Tn. Road conditions were not the best, due to 3-4” of snowfall the night before, but the Instructors and Team made it in for a great class. Warren and Julie are outstanding instructors and make learning fun! Most of all, taught the Team how to be safe in bad situations, as, safety is our number 1 priority! Thank you to all who came out to participate! Thank you to Warren and Julie Grace for a great class! We are looking forward to the next training!

The New Year is off to a busy start for the WC DART Team!! In the midst of the January 6th Snowfall which caused stand still traffic on the main roads and people were advised to stay home….a call came in from WEMA’s Dispatcher, Adam- requesting assistance for a horse who fell through a cattle grate in Watertown… The snow continuing to fall, the mare was shivering and covered with our WC DART Jackets as the Grate was removed, and Reba the Quarter Horse was lifted out with a tractor and tow ropes, and assisted to stand up. Reba and her owner walked her back to the barn. The Vet came and assed her the next day and reported Horses with this type of incident, usually have fracture (s) and Reba was in good shape and got a good report!

3/4/2022 The Department of Agriculture requested WC DART to assist with a Sheep and 2 lambs running at large beneath I-40 – WEMA approved, and the Team set out to evaluate the situation ….

The sheep and her lambs when they felt threatened, would run for safety to higher ground which meant they seemed to like being under the overpass, running towards westbound traffic, of I-40, to escape pursuit. The owner caught the Sheep, leaving the 2 lambs at large…..Luckily Miss Jane, the neighbor had a kind heart and would feed them every morning at 6:15 am. At first, unsuccessful to catch the lambs, due to lack of daylight and really fassst lambs… the Plan was set to return in the morning at 5:45 am to get in place to trap the lambs when they come to feed at 6:15. The mother Sheep was brought back to the feeding station, placed in a XL cage with a rope attached to the door…..The Mother sheep called to her young lambs and they called back ….working their way to her side…..Miss Jane pulled that rope and the door closed as planned. The Team secured the gate, then assisted with transferring the sheep and lambs to their rides home ! Miss Jane, The owners and WC DART did a great job!!! Thank you!

Wilson County DART’s February Training Meeting Severe Weather Awareness with Kayte Cherry! The weather presentation was outstanding, reviewing Watches, Warnings, Radar interpretation and different ways to receive Weather Reports. Kayte’s enthusiasm for weather is infectious,
Discussion on Spotter Classes offered by the National Weather Service, are currently being offered virtually, to increase weather knowledge. Wilson County DART, has the opportunity to volunteer in WEMA’s Weather Room during severe weather outbreaks affecting Wilson County.

Thank you to all who came out to the Lebanon TSC for Photos with Santa, supporting the Wilson County DART Association! A great day was had by all, Santa enjoyed returning to TSC to support his favorite DART Team, once again! The folks at TSC were more than helpful, they made it on Santa’s Nice List this Christmas!! As did Claudia Richardson, Photographer, and our friends Seena and Dan from Channel 5 News!

Come out Saturday to support our friends at New Leash on Life, and be sure and stop by and say hello to the WC DART Team and check out the WC DART/ AKC Disaster Animal Response Trailer.

Heavy rainfall, leading to 17 inches of rainfall in less than 2 hours, caused flash flooding in the city of Waverly Tn. A wall of water, 7’ high went through a residential area of this beautiful community, displacing humans and their animals. Loss of Life was imminent, as there was no warning of this unpredicted storm.

The Humane Society of the United States, reached out to the Wilson County Disaster Animal Response Team to assist the Waverly Animal Shelter with Donation Management as well as Emergency Sheltering operations and Animal Care. The out pour of donations was amazing, support was coming in locally and from all over the United States!

Thank you to the Waverly Animal Shelter, we made friends both human and animals, we will never forget!
Thank you to the HSUS for this opportunity to assist!

Thank you to all who sponsored the event! Lora, Breanna and Orville, chefs, The Board of Directors- Windy, Linda, Lita, Laurie, Debbie and Julie. And to all the Team members- Thank you for your outstanding service!
Thank you to Dogingham Palace Rescue! Entertainer Danny McCorkle, added so much to the celebration with his talent and exceptional voice! A good time was had by all!

The WC DART Team was called by the TN Department of Agriculture to assist with 500 Turkeys being hauled in an overturned Tractor Trailer. The Turkeys were removed from the accident site by Metro Animal Control Officers, TN Dept. of Ag staff and EMA. The Turkeys were brought to Metro Animal Care and Control. Wilson Co DART assisted the staff unloading the Turkeys into the Shelter awaiting Transport back to the Turkey Farm…..and again loading the Turkeys into the Transport Semi.

Adrienne and Kim came up with a “Fireman’s Sling” to carry the Turkeys ! Which made carrying the 50 lb birds safer and easier for all involved plus expedited the loading of the birds!

Metro Animal Control did an exceptional job helping the Turkeys!

Thank you to ALL the WC DART Volunteers who assisted with this operation !