Jennifer Heran's initiative, Jennifur's Helping Hands Farm, aims to support the domestic violence community by providing a safe haven for animals. The concept emerged from a dream and has since become her mission.
"I have been brainstorming ideas over the last few years, and nothing really felt right. That was until a few months ago when the idea of Jennifur’s Helping Hands Farm came to me in a dream. I couldn’t get it off my mind, so I decided to run with the idea. I felt like I had a sense of purpose, like this is what I am supposed to be doing," Heran told the Mount Vernon News.
According to Heran, her 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization possesses a 16-stall barn in Gambier that will be renovated into a facility capable of accommodating animals ranging from hamsters to horses. The mission is to provide refuge for animals affected by domestic violence, substance abuse recovery, military deployment, mental health crises, and elderly individuals unable to care for their pets. She emphasized that the organization will ensure these animals receive necessary care and love while collaborating with shelters and social services.
Heran highlighted that many individuals in domestic violence situations delay leaving due to concerns about their pets' safety. "People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) said 50% of survivors delay leaving because of their pets," she noted. Heran expressed the desire for people to seek help without worrying about their pets.
She advised pet owners facing such circumstances to contact local domestic violence shelters or relevant facilities for assistance from Jennifur's Helping Hands Farm.
Before commencing operations, Heran mentioned that renovations are required at their facility. Additional donations of pet supplies are needed, along with establishing partnerships through memoranda of understanding with other organizations. Residents can contribute by donating via GoFundMe or providing pet supplies while promoting awareness on social media platforms. Further details are available on the organization's website.
