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Critter Corner: Volunteer Highlight - Dawn La Bounty
By: Rachael Komulainen, Park Animal Keeper

On August 7, 2018, Hart Park Barnyard acquired two new potbelly
piglets. The piglets were rescued by a dog rescue group in Puerto
Rico, treated medically, then flown over to Los Angeles and given to
us within a week of their arrival. We named them "Puerto Rico"
(nicknamed 'Rico') and "Pig Newton" (nicknamed 'Newt'). Shortly
after acquiring the piglets, we were fortunate enough to have a local
pig rescuer and trainer - Dawn La Bounty - agree to help train the
piglets. Over the months, she has trained both piglets to do multiple tasks. They follow
commands to wait, sit, push their ball, do figure eights and, most importantly, to be harnessed
and walked around the park. Pigs are really smart and the training serves multiple purposes:
it stimulates their mental faculties, and it allows staff to be able to move the pigs easily for
educational events or emergencies. Dawn has been such an asset to the park and we are so
grateful for all of her help! Thank you, Dawn La Bounty, from the staff and critters of Hart Park!

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Come meet our newest Barnyard residents, two additional rabbits,
named Stanley & Stella. They are 6-month old siblings that we
received from Castaic Animal Shelter. Stanley has the gold ears
and Stella has the black ears. They are Tri-Color Dutch rabbits.