There were tearful goodbyes on October 3 as I left Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres in Acton, California, after spending the past two months calling it home. As sad as it was to say goodbye, it never really hit me until I was on the airplane back home to a life that I once saw as normal and routine.

My life was pretty close to perfect. Great friends. Amazing family. Comfy job. On July 31 I left it all behind.

From Los Angeles, I made a two hour commute on public transit to arrive at Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres.

As I stepped foot on the sanctuary, I was filled with a mess of different emotions. A lot of; I am actually here! … I am away from home for two months … What did I do? … This is too long! and I am so excited!

I knew that taking on this experience was going to be a challenge both physically and mentally. Physically because of the work and the heat and mentally because I am away from all of the comforts of my life. However, I was restless and stuck in a routine back home and wanted to take a step outside of that.

For this reason, this was not only a sanctuary to the animals who would have otherwise ended up exploited and slaughtered, but it also became one for me. Now, the inevitable fate of these animals in the industry is one that I am not faced with. In my twenty-three years, I have not faced anything that is close to comparable, but I was looking for an escape and I found it here.

Since 2008 I have been vegan, but have never interacted with a farm animal. Everyday I choose to live my life void of any product or by-product that originates from these beings, but I had no personal connection to a turkey, cow or pig and I hit a point where I needed that.

In Acton, I was able to befriend both human and non-human animals. I learned a lot about taking care of the animals, their behaviour and a lot about myself. I wish to share with you, all that I am able to translate into words.

I began my internship with Tanya who had arrived the same day I did. We had joined an intern who had been there for most of the summer and was leaving in just over a weeks time.

Our first day of work began on August 1. Tanya and I were briefly trained on our work, met the majority of the employees and began to meet the animals.

For most of August we were the only interns. The workload was heavy, but incredibly fulfilling. I never knew I would fall in love with the cleaning work as much as I did. Since we were the only interns, for the month of August, we strictly worked cleaning shifts from eight in the morning to five in the evening.

We had a binder that specified the daily jobs that needed to be done. Basically, it would specify whether a barn was to be picked or totalled and also any other jobs that needed to get done, like scrubbing the pig food troughs, clearing out the cow’s food troughs, collecting eggs in the courtyard and shredding hay.

Barns were either picked or totalled. Basically we raked garbage bins full of soiled straw or poo, lugged the full bins to the tractor and dumped them into the back of the tractor. And repeated this until the barn was clean or completely emptied. Then we refilled it with new straw!

At first, it was exhausting. I’d say the first two weeks were the roughest. My body was not used to this type of work. I found myself exhausted daily and it was not long until my body became a host to many bruises and cuts – this remained consistent throughout the internship.

Once the two weeks passed – and they flew by – the work became as close to effortless as physical labour can be. I began to grasp the expectations and in no time had the daily jobs memorised.

It became even easier when we were joined by two more shelter interns for the month of September. With more interns we were also able to work different shifts. We got the opportunity to shadow the caregivers during their AM and PM shifts and also shadow the health checks that took place once a week.

The entire internship was an incredible experience. I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to intern there. I met amazing people and animals alike. I wish so badly that the people in my life were able to take my place to experience what I was able to. I question if such an experience would change anyone’s perspectives.

This shelter is the home of many rescued farm animals who otherwise would be a victim to a lifestyle, that sadly I once supported and many around me still do. This experience opened my mind further than I ever thought possible about being vegan and about these animals.

I spent as much time as possible with the animals, either staying after my shift or hanging out on the farm on my days off. I knew that the end of my internship would approach fast and I wanted to take it in as much as possible. I loved to sit and observe them.

When the cattle would sit in their pasture, it was easy to take a seat beside them, and study them. They are very calm. I’d often just sit and look into their eyes, speak to them and groom them. What was the most incredible was to see how big they could grow. Since many cattle are slaughtered at young ages, they die before fully growing, some of the cattle here had to have been over 2,000 pounds.

Comparable to a dog, you can go up to a sleeping pig and rub their bellies. They turn further on to their back to expose their stomachs more – just so you can get the entire area. They were so calm while they slept, you could nap with them. It was an amazing feeling to rest my head on their body while they slept, while focusing on their breathing and mine.

It’s not likely to sit in the courtyard or the barns of the chickens and be ignored. They are so curious. Some will crawl into your lap, others will give you curious pecks. They are incredibly social too and always communicating to you or to one another.

I would often sit on top of the bales of straw that were placed near the goat and sheep barn and watch whoever was around.

The goats liked to be on the hill by their barn. They would either be sitting together or foraging for leaves on the plants. Some were more social than others, but I had the opportunity to be approached by almost all of them while spending a large amount of my time sitting patiently observing their actions.

The sheep stay in the barn most of the time. They lay down, rest and stay together. Some are more social than others and the ones who are social, will approach you willingly, most likely expecting you to pet or scratch them, and you obviously would give them some love – who wouldn’t?

My experience quickly turned into much more than taking a break from a routine. I made many friends, shared experiences and was influenced by the people and animals I met. My life, perspective and future plans have changed completely due to this experience.

Since going vegan, I have always looked at these animals as no different than a dog or cat. Being here has further rooted how I feel. Their physical appearance is different, their nutritional requirements and day to day needs may be different. However, dogs do not look like cats, require the same nourishment or the daily needs of a cat, but we put them in the same category. These animals equally want to receive love and they have love to give. They are aware of you as much as you are aware of them and they develop attachments,habits and routine just like any of us.

I gained a lot of insight that influenced and solidified my lifestyle and belief system regarding veganism. Whether you have been vegan for many years, are still new to it or teetering on the edge, I urge you to visit a farm animal sanctuary. I’ve learned it to be necessary.

If you live close to Farm Sanctuary’s Animal’s Acres visit them on a tour day or take part in the monthly Volunteer Work Parties. Also, visit the other farm animal sanctuaries in your area. If you call southern Ontario home reach out to Snooter’s Farm Animal Sanctuary, Wishing Well Sanctuary and Cedar Row Farm Sanctuary.

Check local farm animal sanctuaries’ websites for where they need the most help or contact them and ask. Some may need financial donations or maybe blankets, towels and other accessories. Where possible, reach out and volunteer your labour! These places will need the support and it is easy to get caught up with life, but there is no better place to get inspiration for your lifestyle and activism then the root of it all – from the animals.

Being back at home has created many opposing emotions. It is amazing to see familiar faces – and sadly to say make some money. Most importantly, it is great to share my experiences. I miss everyone so much and aim to visit again in the near future!

What I thought would be a good experience, that I’d be ready to leave after two months, turned into an amazing experience, that was over too soon. I know I will treasure it for the rest of my life. I found a passion within myself and have seen, felt and been apart of some of the most beautiful moments of my life.

I did not anticipate any of it, but I am thankful for all of it and cannot express what a positive change it has created.

Click here to meet some of the animals I became friends with during my time at Farm Sanctuary’s Animal Acres