ROSEVILLE, Minn. (KTTC) -- When you come across a wounded animal or a bird that can't fly, you may think to yourself -- if only there was an emergency room where you could go.
Well, there is an ER for the wild.
For more than 30 years the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota treats the most helpless of God's creatures, injured or just vulnerable.
Executive Direct Phil Jenni states, "In the wild, to show any sense of pain or not completely be able to get away from a predator is a death sentence."
The variety of animals and the complicated nature of their injuries is not the only thing that keeps keeping these workers passionate about the center.
Jenni says, "The challenge of trying to relate to those injuries, heal those animals and when we see those animals that have been injured released into the wild, it's really fulfilling."
Perhaps more fulfilling is the compassion of those who bring the animals in.
"When you see these kids come up and it's got a baby bunny, or rat or squirrels, to see the concern on their faces and they're so careful with it and for their parents to know there's a place for them to look like heroes."
An annual open house at the center allows those heroes to see mock scenarios that include each step the animals would go through before being set free.
Veterinarian Technician Chris Lewellen says, "Our job here is as much about the people that bring the animals to us to be saved as it is about the animals."
Ten-year-old Emily Carr and her parents have brought a number of animals to the rehab center. Emily says each of the creatures deserves a chance, "Humans can help themselves, animals don't have that and wouldn't we want them to help us?"
Emily's dream is to become a wildlife vet. like many of the employees now working at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
"When I got my veterinary degree is was with a goal to work somewhere like this where I could rehabilitate animals and release them back into the wild," explains Lewellen.
Just like the turtle who will soon be set free in the Minnesota countryside.
