The Best Companion
THE STORY OF CHER AMI
HSaovwedO1n9e4Pigeon American Soldiers
Front and Center Nicole Person has always wanted to work with animals. “I grew up with dogs,” she says. “We always had German shepherds and cats, and whenever we’d go to the vet, I’d find it really interesting.” She remembers a few instances when the veterinarian shared some details of their work with her, which sparked an interest. During high school, Nicole attended vocational classes to become a veterinary tech assistant, and she majored in pet science in college. “I was pretty proud when I got that degree,” she says. Life circumstances ultimately led her down a different path, but she maintained a connection with animals during a 16-year career as a dog trainer and manager at Petco. Nicole joined Surface Creek Vet late last year as a receptionist after her family relocated to Colorado. “I love being in reception,” she says. “I like being the first person people see and the last person they see. I learned a lot about the importance of that during my retail experience.” “The clinic is great,” she adds. “My first vet clinic 20 years ago was just dogs and cats, but here we see everything! We see bunnies come in and cows and goats. It’s really fun.” Nicole notes that she may cross-train to work directly with the animals in the future, but she’s currently enjoying working at the front desk. At home, Nicole has three cats, a guinea pig, and four tortoises, which she calls “a product of working at Petco for 16 years.” She notes that she would love to adopt a dog but is currently holding off due to her cats’ advanced ages. Nicole has an identical twin who works as a nurse in the emergency room. “I’m the animal medical person, and she’s the people medical person,” she jokes. The two of them followed their parents to Colorado from Southern California. “I don’t miss it at all,” Nicole says. “I love the new weather here!” While she retired from playing due to injuries, she remains a “big- time” soccer fan and enjoys watching the sport as much as possible. Nicole is happy with her new role and the culture at Surface Creek Vet. “It’s great meeting new clients and seeing longtime clients come back because they appreciate what we do for them,” she says. “I just love helping all different kinds of animals.” MEET RECEPTIONIST NICOLE PERSON!
Animals have always played a role in military efforts during wartime. Cats were kept aboard naval ships for pest control, horses and camels provided transportation for supplies and soldiers pre-World War II, and dogs are still used to this day for search and rescue efforts as well as mine detection. But one animal profession became obsolete with the advancement of communication technology: messenger. Often used during World War I, many dogs and pigeons became responsible for delivering messages of high importance. Of all the animals used during World War I, one pigeon named Cher Ami defied the odds to save nearly 200 American soldiers. On Oct. 2, 1918, Major Charles Whittlesey got trapped along the side of a hill in Northeastern France with 550 of his men. They ended up behind enemy lines with no food or ammunition, and — to make matters worse — his battalion started to suffer from friendly fire since allied troops remained unaware of their location. With nowhere to run, Whittlesey tried to send runners to contact the allies about their predicament. Unfortunately, their enemies consistently intercepted or killed these runners until only 194 men remained. Whittlesey decided to dispatch messages by pigeon. The first pigeon got shot down almost immediately, so he sent a second pigeon with the message, “Men are suffering. Can support be sent?” That one also got shot. Finally, Whittlesey turned to his last pigeon, Cher Ami, and scribbled down a quick note on onion paper that read, “We are along the road parallel to 276.4. Our own artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heaven’s sake, stop it.” Cher Ami took flight, but even after being shot down by the Germans, the bird defied the odds and actually took flight again! The effective delivery of this message helped save 194 men, but Cher Ami did not escape unharmed. He had been shot through the breast, blinded in one eye, and had a leg hanging only by a tendon. Army medics treated Cher Ami enough so he could travel to America, where he eventually succumbed to his wounds. The bird was then taxidermied and displayed in the Smithsonian, where you can still see him today. So, the next time you’re in Washington, D.C., stop by the “Price of Freedom” exhibit at the National Museum of American History where you can personally see this brave pigeon.
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