Owner of Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue
According to Dana Lacy, friend, mentee, and nominator of Dr. Rebecca Gimenez Husted, PhD, Rebecca has profoundly influenced safety, response, and prevention resources for barn, large animal, and trailer emergencies for almost 30 years. She assisted in writing a definitive book on managing large animal emergencies and continues to educate veterinarians, first responders, and rescues worldwide.
Rebecca is a staunch advocate for animal care and handling, impacting countless individuals to improve animal conditions. She mentors many, providing education for the betterment of animals globally. Rebecca encourages everyone striving to enhance animal welfare. She is passionate about educating and inspiring safe enjoyment of animals, emphasizing trailer safety, barn fire prevention, and welfare advocacy. As the committee head for the NFPA 150 animal housing standard, she ensures animals are housed safely, challenging outdated practices.
Her confidence and expertise make her an invaluable resource for rescue, prevention, and humane handling. She continues to make significant contributions, deserving recognition to expand her platform for the betterment of animals and support for large animal rescue programs worldwide.
Rebecca states, “In my work and studies over almost 30 years in Technical Large Animal Emergency Rescue, simultaneously my 28 years (now retired) as an Officer in the US Army Reserves, and 12 years as a volunteer firefighter - I have learned how to help horses in a variety of awful situations, from overturned trailer wrecks to trapped in muddy bogs to down in a stall, cast against the wall. We use their anatomy and behaviors to our benefit, while keeping responders (owners, veterinarians, firefighters) safer.”
The horse that profoundly impacted Rebecca was Aerial Painted Pants, a small, medicine hat pinto rescue mare. This remarkable horse allowed Rebecca to refine her techniques and imparted a valuable lesson: by employing behavior cues that Aerial understood, Rebecca could calm even the most panicked horse. This skill enabled her to teach any owner or responder how to assist effectively until a veterinarian arrived.
A quote Rebecca lives by is “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” Sun Tzu from The Art of War, circa 580 BC
