Author Archives: Julie K Hutchison

Disaster Preparedness for Animals isn’t complete without an AKC REUNITE TRAILER!
Back in 2015, the American Kennel Clubs came together to offer WC DART a grant which included a 16’ Box Trailer complete with enough supplies to house 100 companion animals in times of Disaster. The Pembroke Welsh Corgi Club of America , Inc., Nashville Kennel Club, Maury County Kennel Club, Clarksville Kennel Club, Tennessee Valley Kennel Club of Knoxville, Tn., Greater Murfreesboro Kennel Club and Tullahoma Kennel Club made this AKC REUNITE Grant possible!

Haley “Stormy” Meier, Fox Weather, interviewed the WC DART Team to further increase public awareness to evacuate with your pets in times of disaster. People will put themselves in harms way to keep their pets safe. The Human Animal Bond is so great, people would rather keep their pets in dangerous situations, unaware accommodations are provided for their pets, too! In 2006, President George Bush signed the Pets Act into law, stating provisions for humans and their pets must be provided for in order to receive federal funding post disaster.

Watch the Fox Weather Channel, on May 8th, 2023, for the Interview.

Thank you Laurie Adams, WC DART Photographer

Celebrate the BEST Volunteer Disaster Animal Response Team in Wilson County this week 4/16/23 to 4/22/23! Thank you to All the Volunteers under the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency ! Your volunteerism is appreciated year round, keeping animals safe, keeps people safe! Outstanding Job!

Scheduled for 2/11/23 from 10am-12 noon at the WEMA Training Center! Come by for Orientation and see if the WC DART Team is something you would like to participate with.
Animal Professionals, Animal Organizations and the general public coming together to train together for the most outstanding Disaster Response Team serving the community and the State of Tennessee. Orientation is for those 18 years old and up, or minors accompanied by parents are welcome. New Volunteers, Previous volunteers and Seasoned volunteers are welcome.

please RSVP to WCDART@yahoo.com to reserve your seat!

The Team gathered at O’Charley’s Restaurant in Lebanon,TN. Shelley, our server went above and beyond to assure the Team had a great time! This year, Country K-9 Rescue was the group the Team sponsored, as they contribute so much for the animals in Wilson and surrounding counties. A donation of animal supplies and lots of Cat food for the feral cat colonies they support year round! Thank you Country K9 for ALL you do for the Animals!!!

The evening came to an end after a wicked game of Dirty Santa! A Good time was had by all. This was a great opportunity to visit and appreciate our Team ! Thank you WC DART for ALL you do for the Animals!

What an awesome Ropes and More (RAM) Training Day with Code 3 Associates! Sunday October 16th, at the WEMA Training Center, the WC DART Team and Putnam County DART, spent a full day, training with the best of the best! The Team learned how to properly use Ropes, Knots and Techniques in Companion and Large Animal Response, making the team sharper in technical assistance! Thank you to all who attended! Thank you Code 3! Thank you to the Wilson County DART Association Directors for breakfast and lunch!

In preparation for CODE 3 Associates Training, this Sunday, WC DART held an INTRO TO KNOTS CLASS, to learn the basics knot techniques. Ray Alley came in and showed the Team a variety of basic knots to enhance our Ropes and More Class. This was awesome!!! The Team enjoyed learning and Mr Alley was an outstanding instructor. Thank you to Mr Alley and to all who came out for this fabulous class!

Code 3 Associates is coming to the WEMA Training Center on Sunday October 16th for a day long Training on Ropes and More…. This is a great opportunity for WC DART a to train and learn from the BEST of the BEST in Disaster Response !

Hands on animal rescue training class provides the best working practices for large and small and animal rescue techniques.  This course covers rope terminology, common knots, and their applications. Students receive experience in practical animal rescue scenarios utilizing proper animal handling techniques, harnessing systems and extraction techniques for low angle rope rescue.

A BIG Thank you to all who came out to support the WC DART Team! The volunteers did a fabulous job at Tractor Supply in Lebanon, washing a wide variety of dogs at Saturday’s Dog Wash! Proceeds fund the Team to continue our mission- Keeping animals safe in disaster situations! Thank you to Tractor Supply for their continued support…… Please look for WC DART at TSC on November 19th for Photos with Santa!