Today we’d like to introduce you to Landon Schobert.
Hi Landon, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I started the 6th grade, I didn’t know I was going to find my career path, but I’m so lucky that I did. My teacher founded a rescue ranch with horses, goats, chickens, and dogs that also provided equine-assisted therapy for kids with mental health needs and special needs. There were volunteer hours throughout the week. After one volunteer shift I was hooked. I tried volunteering every day I could. To say I’ve always loved animals seems cheesy, but it’s true. I was always the kid that attracted animals. So connecting with the shy, scared horses we’d have at the ranch and build trust when they wouldn’t trust anyone else or working with an anxious, high energy horse to help them learn how to relax and find peace was heartwarming and inspiring. I sort of became the animal whiper at the ranch. How could I not want more? Getting to help such beautiful creatures and feel so proud that I helped them get there was spectacular. I started working there at 16 which felt like a dream job jackpot. Continuing to work and train the animals, help other kids, put on fundraising events, and so much more. At 18 I was on the board of directors and assistant to the ranch director helping make imperative decisions about the organization I was already such a large part of and cared so much about. There were times when I was unsure if I could find a way to make a living helping animals. This showed me that I could. I did some research about animal rescues and found Best Friends Animal Society (the organization I currently work for). I wanted to learn from the best. I am now working at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah- the nation’s largest animal sanctuary. I work to rehabilitate and train dogs with behavioral needs with the goal of finding them a home of their own. This year alone I have helped with 80 dog adoptions Many of these dogs came in because owners couldn’t work with their behavioral needs or from an abuse/neglect case, many on the euthanasia list and it brings me insurmountable joy to think about where these dogs started and how far they’ve come. Throughout their time I always knew they would find their people and were more than deserving of the love they seek.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Working in animal welfare can have a great toll emotionally. Outwardly it can seem like it’s cuddling puppies all day, but there is so much more that we and the animals go through. The conditions I have seen animals come in. The rejection they face from not getting picked. Having to choose who you can help and who you can’t. Working with the energy of saddness and anxiety animals feel in a shelter environment. I have to take a step back at times and remind myself that I’m doing as much as I possibly can. If I let the negative thoughts consume me, I wouldn’t be able to help any of them. Keeping my head high and focusing on the positive is the key. Little wins are big wins in an unpredicatble world of animal care. I look at the dogs and they constantly remind me of that. If one dog can go from being homeless in a shelter to being someone’s ride or die best friend, there is hope for them all and a reason to keep doing the work we do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My title is Specialist, Life-Saving & Care. I work with dogs that have behavioral needs with the goal of adopting them out to their very own home. This consists of fear free training practices that consist of behavior modification techniques like operant and classical conditioning. Some of the dogs in my care are working on their reactivity to other dogs on leash. Smiles, is a great example of this. When I first met her, she would bark and lunge toward any dog on leash. Now, with consistent training and time, she is able to walk parallel with another dog 5 ft away. This increases Smiles’ possibilities for adoption, making her much more likely to find a home! Shy, scared dogs just like horses can be some of my favorites to work with. Another kiddo, Didgeri, came in feral. She would walk away from me when I’d walk in her kennel and cower. Slowly she started to investigate me, wag her tail when I came in, and now I take her on walks and give her belly rubs. She’s a completely different dog. She just needed to know that she could trust me.
Dog wise- I am most proud of the bond I built with Didgeri and the complete turn around she’s had learning to trust and just be a dog. The day I saw her play with her first toy and then started playing with me seemed miraculous. Overall in my life, I’m most proud of my dedication and determination to help animals and the human lives they also help touch in a butterfly effect. It may have started with me helping birds that fall from trees or a lost cat in the neighborhood, but it’s turned into a lifetime of passionate work that helps the world as a whole.
What sets me apart is how young I started. Animal welfare isn’t a fun thing I do on the side, but my life. It was always my trajectory, but I was able to find it at such a young age. Working my way up to the board of directors and being assistant manager at 18 of a rescue ranch while attending my freshman year of college is something I am extremely proud of. Instead of going to parties, I was desensitizing horses to their fears. I would say my positive attitude is also a striking feature. This industry is hard work physically, mentally, and emotionally, but I never let it affect how I treat other people or the animals. Thinking positively about every outcome allows for more possibility. I find joking around and singing throughout the day always keeps my mood up as well. The animals can feed off our energy so it’s vital to share good energy with them as well.
I also specialize in neontal puppy care. The past two years I have also worked with sick mothers and puppies providing treatment and care. From Giardia, Parvo, Distemper, and rare diseases I have learned the medical procedures to bring from near death back to their prime health and see them get to enjoy their new found strength within. Getting to see them grow from a few days old to being 8 weeks old and getting adopted, I feel like a proud parent and am filled with so much gratitude to get to experince their first weeks of life helping heal them.
I also part-take in spay/neuter clinics that help communities keep their feral dog population down by fixing their animals to prevent more homeless puppies on the street. I added a picture in here. One weekend clinic can consist of a couple hundred surgeries. I help recover the dogs and cats after surgery, giving them fluids, vaccines, medicine to help wake them up, and monitor their vitals while waking up. These clinics have made such an impact for people that cannot afford the private practice rates to fix their pet and help with homeless pet population control.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bestfriends.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/landonschobert
