Meet Sarah Paulk

We recently connected with Sarah Paulk and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?

As a child, I would often find myself lost in the company of animals, feeling more at ease with them than with people. My relationship with animals seemed to go beyond the ordinary understanding of a child’s affection for pets. It was as if I was part of a larger, invisible conversation. I could tell when a dog was feeling anxious or when a cat was seeking comfort. The slightest change in their body language, their eyes, or even the way they moved, would tell me everything I needed to know. It felt like a gift, though I often kept it to myself, unsure if anyone else experienced the same thing.

As an adult, I have found a way to channel this into what has now become Smithwick Station – a wildlife rehabilitation center. It has provided me with a sense of purpose, but also a way to involve my family and give back to Mother Nature at the same time. The precious lives that come through our doors depend on us in all ways, but in so many ways, I depend on them as well.

Looking back, I realize that this bond with animals was something innate within me, something that shaped my childhood and became a part of who I am today. It wasn’t just a phase or a fleeting childhood fancy—it was a genuine, profound connection that continues to influence how I relate to the world. In many ways, animals taught me to listen without hearing, to understand without explanation, and to feel the invisible threads that tie us all together.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

Every day presents new challenges in wildlife rehab. Being fairly new to this path, I’m learning so much from every fawn case that comes in. No two patients are the same, and I have several amazing mentors that help me along the way when new challenges present themselves.

The most special part of our season is of course the day that we are able to release healthy animals back into the wild. There is no feeling like it – while it’s bittersweet saying goodbye to them, it is so rewarding to see them using their true wild instincts to integrate back into the wild.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that have kept me on my path would be perseverance, love of animals, and ability to communicate with them. If someone finds something they love and that lights their fire, then find a way to harness that in a way to create a life or give back.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

We have built an AMAZING group of volunteers and also mentors in this field. Our volunteers are the reason I survived this past insane fawn season. They not only helped with the day-to-day care of our intakes, they helped with cleaning, transporting to vet visits, medicating and more. When we hit our peak of 30+ fawns within two weeks of the season starting, they kept me sane! I would not have made it without them. Even on my lowest days, when we had losses and more, they helped keep me afloat.

We also have an amazing group of rehabbers within Georgia Wildlife Network that we could reach out to bounce ideas off of, and reach out to at all hours when you have challenging cases. I would not be able to do it without their support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smithwickstation.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smithwickstation
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/smithwickstation