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Sara Parrish Hunt
Sara Parrish Hunt
Sara Parrish Hunt
our team
Sara Parrish Hunt
When Sara was 3 years old, she was wearing a shirt with a whale on it that her grandmother had brought her from California. A man in the bank asked her if she had gone to SeaWorld and 3-year-old Sara said, “Absolutely not! A whale died there – I don’t support that!” Her mom was so embarrassed and didn’t know what she was talking about, until she got home and saw on the news, that indeed, a whale had died at SeaWorld. Apparently, this toddler had seen a news story and formed an opinion about it. I know this because I am her mom. You see, Sara has always been the animal person – since getting her start as that opinionated toddler. Later in life, Sara was a high school English teacher, photographer, 4h leader, mom of three kids, leader of the ladies auxiliary for firefighter wives, a community volunteer – she was like a blur, staying busy and enjoying life. Trying to find time in her busy schedule was always a challenge. But life had other plans for her as we found out.
On July 31, 2018, after what was expected to be a routine surgery to repair an injury after a fall – Sara got home from surgery and suddenly collapsed and was rushed back to the hospital after having a stroke at age 32. The anesthesia from the surgery had lowered her blood pressure and so she wasn’t getting sufficient blood flow to her brain and triggered the first many strokes she would have due to a hidden condition called Moyamoya. This left her with damage to areas of her brain and especially to the right side of her body. This once vibrant and active mom was suddenly having occupational therapy and physical therapy to learn how to walk, talk and do all the things most of us take for granted. Over the course of 2 ½ years – she experienced nearly a dozen strokes, three open cranial brain surgeries as her condition required bypass surgery in an attempt to get proper blood flow to her brain. Many people would have just focused on what they could not do – but this just wasn’t her style.
In fact – the day after her second brain surgery, she threatened to drive herself to the county fair because she didn’t want to miss being there to support her own children and her 4h kids – since they had all worked so hard to be there. So, she was there, with fresh staples in the side of her head. I wasn’t pleased, but I finally figured taking her was better than having her drive herself right after surgery. And, since I’ve known her all her life – I know how stubborn she can be – this was one battle I wasn’t going to win.
Generally, you won’t hear Sara talk about this and that is why I am telling this story, but she doesn’t have a career as a high school teacher any longer – the strokes took that away from her when they left some of the portions of her brain damaged. But if you spend a few minutes with her and the animals of the Hunt’s Exotics Foundation, you’ll find that she is still teaching – each and every day.
On the 5th anniversary of the surgery and her first strokes, she launched the foundation. She has been adopting and caring for animals for some time now. She has been taking them out to community events and teaching people about animal husbandry and being an animal advocate for a long time – but she has worked very hard to make it official with the launch of the foundation. So as Paul Harvey always said, now you know the rest of the story.
Nichole Watford
Sara Parrish Hunt
Sara Parrish Hunt
You can make a difference in the lives of animals in need by supporting our organization. Your donation will help cover the cost of food, medical care, and supplies for our animals, and allow us to continue our mission of saving wildlife.
Jackie Walther
Sara Parrish Hunt
Jackie Walther
Biography Coming Soon
Dawn Parrish
Education Programs
Jackie Walther
Biography coming soon.
Education Programs
Education Programs
Education Programs
We believe that education is key to protecting wildlife and their habitats. At Hunt's Exotics Foundation, we offer a variety of educational programs for schools, community groups, and individuals. Learn more about our programs and how you can get involved.
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Education Programs
Education Programs
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