Building Trust
September 8, 2014 by Keri -
One of the most frequent questions I am asked is what I like most about working at Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest (CSNW). My answer in part relates to my evolving relationship with the chimpanzees over the past two years, particularly my relationship with Negra.
I first started training to become a caregiver over a year ago and Jamie was quick to demand I be her friend. It wasn’t long after, that Foxie began passing her troll dolls to me and Burrito constantly enlisted me in a game of chase. Even the shy Annie would extend her fingers through the metal fence to touch the back of my hand when no one else was looking. Jody would sometimes bounce up and down (a chimpanzee greeting) towards me when I called her name, while Missy would present her back up to the caging for me to groom. Negra, on the other hand would barely even acknowledge that I was present.
As the months rolled by, Negra started to look in my direction when I would greet her (which was usually me calling out her name and giving her a head nod). Then came the day she gave me a quick head nod in return to my greeting and I teared up. Here she was, this 40 year old chimpanzee (at the time), who had endured almost her entire life in biomedical research labs, was giving me, a new human, a greeting. After all that time spent behind bars, she was beginning to trust me.
It wasn’t until a few months ago that she actually came down from her blanket nest and stuck her lips out to offer me a kiss. I had to blink back the tears; she trusted me. I was doing my job to make her home a true sanctuary where she felt she could trust again. And that to me, is what this sanctuary is all about.
So, what do I love most about working at CSNW? I love that I am working to provide a safe, loving, nurturing home so that these seven chimpanzees can feel hope, love and trust again.
Here are a few of my favorite Negra photos from the past two days.
Negra taking a little break from foraging in her cabin on Young’s Hill.
Negra with broccoli in her mouth making her way back to the Greenhouse.
Negra (on the right) sits quietly next to Annie (on the left) as she finishes her oranges.
Negra relaxing in her blanket nest in the Playroom after eating.
8 Comments
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I teared up a little reading this posting. I’m so glad the chimpanzees have such loving caretakers!
I have a soft spot for Negra – so glad she has such a wonderful home now. All 7 have been through so much … Thank you for making their days better.
A beautiful post! Keri, you and the other caregivers will be blessed many times over for you kindness to the beautiful chimps.
This is so heart felt. I wish I could walk your shoes for one day.
What did you do when Negra wanted to kiss you. Do you make the same lips? Do you put the back of your hand up to the bars?
Thank you for all the love you and the staff provide.
I just knew who was writing this as I kept reading, keeping my interest, it was you Keri, that I knew! I knew because I know your caring nature! You Rock as a caregiver!
Oh Keri, what a lovely and touching post. Brought tears to my eyes. I absolutely love Negra. I can’t imagine being the recipient of a Negra head nod. What a precious gift to receive. I too would have to fight back the tears fearing I wasn’t worthy of her hard earned trust. The chimps at CSNW are all so vey lucky, not jut because they now have the life they deserve, a life in sanctuary, but they have the best caregivers.
It’s funny, because one of the most frequent questions I am asked is why do I choose to support CSNW. Your post today is a perfect reason. Thank you.
Thank you for your comment Stephanie! To answer your question, I put the back of my hand a safe distance from the wire caging but close enough so that her lips can still touch my hand.
awwww sweet post Keri 🙂