October 29, 2019
Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary and Carol Holliman.
So, before we jump into specific questions about your organization, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Our story actually began back in the late 80’s in Abilene, Texas, with a couple of Siberian Huskies, Boris, and Natasha, who migrated across the state with us and, set in motion our desire for the wolf hybrids. We got our first wolf hybrid, Kina, in 1991, and then Konee, a male, shortly thereafter. Together, they produced some beautiful cubs over the years that we intended to sell, but since we were never meant to be breeders, our love for them would not allow that, and we ended up keeping all the cubs.
Since those early days of caring for canines, we let loose our passion and empathy for big cats. In the early nineties, we were naive enough to purchase a twelve-day old cougar that we named Cayman (the site of our last vacation). Raising Cayman from such a young cub was such a great experience. It also opened our eyes to the plight of exotic cats in captivity. Undertaking the responsibility for the health and well-being of an exotic animal can be much more than the average individual expects, plans for, or can afford. For this reason, we found a problem with placing abused, abandoned, neglected, confiscated, and unwanted cats. It is a big problem that we set out to help in a small way by taking confiscated or surrendered exotic cats.
In that more than 20 years, PrideRock has become the home of more than 70 animals that are with us today or have crossed the Rainbow Bridge after years of care.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Things have not always been smooth and often challenging. The first 20 years were very hard because we couldn’t afford employees so after spending all day in downtown Dallas at jobs, we came home and spent 3-4 hours each night feeding and cleaning up. There was also a financial burden the first few years until we became a non-profit and started getting donations. The hardest part of all has been all the losses of these animals that have become family members. The sadness is unbearable and devastating, but we always have tried to move on for all the ones that we still have. Having said this, I will say that having PrideRock has been our greatest joy and such a Labor of Love. There are no regrets and we are very proud of what we have accomplished.
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
PrideRock Wildlife Refuge is a non-profit that provides permanent sanctuary and shelter for mistreated and unwanted wild animals. We are home to lions, tigers, cougars, wolf hybrids, bears, a hyena, and numerous rescued dogs.
I have to say that I’m most proud of being able to have the opportunity to care for these magnificent animals and to spend time with them day in and day out. It is an honor to share our lives with them, and I sense that they are very happy and most of all, know how much they are loved. I think that the fact that we are a private facility sets us apart most of all. These animals deserve to live out their lives in peace without the stress of being open to the public and having people invading their space.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I would have to say that our very generous donors deserve a ton of credit because we couldn’t do it without them. One of our very early donors, Joseph Segal, deserves the credit of making a large donation to help us get started and also helped us in selecting the name PrideRock Wildlife Refuge. Nancy Wulff, one of our board members has also been instrumental through the years with her donations that have helped us feed and build the enclosures, particularly the bear enclosures. We couldn’t do it without our donors and volunteers!
Read more here: http://voyagedallas.com/interview/meet-gary-holliman-carol-holliman-priderock-wildlife-refuge-terrell-tx/
Each morning at PrideRock Wildlife Refuge, staff and volunteers diligently prepare 300 pounds of food for the 32 tigers, lions and cougars that call the refuge home. Unwrapping marbled steaks and tender chicken breasts from store packaging, they place them in industrial-sized stainless steal bowls and pans. The scale of the operation is impressive – the environmental impact is even more so.
The animals at PrideRock in Terrell, Texas feast on food waste diverted from local landfills. Through Quest Resource Management Group’s food recycling program, PrideRock receives an average of 2,000 pounds of much needed fresh meat for their big cats each week.
Not only does this food recycling partnership help the non-profit wildlife refuge feed animals in need, it combats greenhouse gas emissions from rotting food in landfills. Decomposing food waste creates and releases methane gas, a greenhouse gas 25 percent more potent then carbon dioxide (CO2), into the atmosphere. In addition, recycling one ton of food waste per week has the equivalent environmental benefit of removing 118 cars from the road for a year.
As grocers pull meat from the shelves due to looming best by dates, the food is held for the participating animal park or wildlife refuge.
“Sometimes we get stuff that won’t go out of date for another week, and sometimes we get stuff that the sell by date was last week. But that doesn’t mean the meat is bad,” said Corey Allison, an animal keeper at PrideRock. “The meat that we take is good quality and it does help our cats,” he added.
Win-Win-WinDirect-feed food recycling is a win for animal parks, the environment and retailers alike. Participating grocers benefit from reduced costs associated with landfill disposal of heavy meat products, reduced environmental footprint and increased community involvement.
Animal parks like PrideRock rely on food donations to provide nutritional, healthy diets for the animals in their care. Money saved through the direct-feed program goes to providing safe enclosures and toys for enrichment activities.
Interested in a direct-feed food recycling program for your retail location or animal park? Visit questrmg.com/animalpark/ for more information.
The Terrell Tribune/Gary E Lindsley
Looking for fish? No. Coco is testing the water in the pool of her new habitat at PrideRock Wildlife Refuge.
If you missed Animal ER on Nat Geo Wild Sept. 10, click on the link below. Nia had an emergency laparoscopic hysterectomy at Gulf Coast Veterinary Clinic. This episode is available on-demand to customers of participating TV providers.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/wild/animal-er/videos/tiger-emergency/
Board Member
With over 30 years of experience working with companies, individuals, and law firms, Matt has provided management expertise and oversight, business advice, and legal counsel to a wide array of companies, corporate managers, and investors. Through the course of his career, he has worked in law firms of all sizes and has founded and operates his own firm. Matt also has served in a wide range of roles on the corporate front, including CEO, COO, President, Vice President of Sales, Director, Board Chairman, corporate secretary, and General Counsel. These roles have included companies of all sizes and in many disparate industries, from consumer products to drug development to artificial turf. Matt also serves as a managing partner and general counsel for Invicta Funds, LLC.
Matt received his Juris Doctor from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University. Matt and his wife Andrea are passionate about animal rescue, volunteering with local dog rescues. They also both have had a long affinity with Pride Rock, that goes back many years.
Board Member
A love of animals, the outdoors, and a keen eye for photographic composition help Nancy in her work, whether one on one, or in an environment with multiple subjects. She has worked her trade at various wildlife sanctuaries and refuges, including PrideRock Wildlife Refuge in Terrell, Texas; Out Of Africa Wildlife Park in Camp Verde, Arizona; and S.O.S. Care in Valley Center, California. Her photographic work has appeared in the May/June, July/August, and September/October 2014 issues of the Feline Conservation Federation Journal, as well as multiple issues of the Fountain Hills Times. She is driven by a love of animals of all kinds, big and small. In 2014 Nancy was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Basic Husbandry of Wild/Exotic Felines by the Feline Conservation Federation. Nancy lives in beautiful Fountain Hills, Arizona with her two furry kids.
mzmriz@usa.net
Landscape Maintenance
stevenhagy@gmail.com
Assistant Animal Keeper
blewis_20@yahoo.com
Marketing Director
kayla@priderock.org
Operations Manager
coreyafeline@gmail.com
Board Member
Growing up in Rhode Island, Ms. Ohmann was a member and instructor at the Rhode Island Ballet Arts Academy. She also danced for 7 years with the state ballet group, Festival Ballet of Rhode Island. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree from Rhode Island College.
Several years later she relocated to Texas a with her company in Terrell, TX, previously known as Vistawall, now Oldcastle Building Envelope and still works there in Human Resources. She is a member of the National Chapter of SHRM, Society for Human Resource Management and Trinity Valley Human Resource Association. She holds an Advanced Certificate in Human Resources from S.M.U., Southern Methodist University. In her business role she provides full Human Resource and Leadership Development support for several locations of her organization including the main office in Terrell.
For many years she was on the Board of Directors for the Terrell Chamber of Commerce and during that time served on their Executive Board for Economic Development. As part of her Chamber experiences, she was instrumental in bringing the program “Work in Terrell” to success. As a result she traveled to Austin with the Chamber, City and other business leaders to accept the State of Texas Economic & Workforce Development award. Carol started the School to Work-School to Life program with the Terrell I.S.D. and local businesses to bring students and businesses together to help build skills and careers. She and her business are avid supporters of the Terrell Career and Technology program. During her tenure with the Chamber and continuing today, she is involved with and volunteers for various community and charitable activities.
Carol has been on the Board of Directors for T.A.E.A, Terrell Alliance for Education and the Arts since 2002. As part of this board she was a founding member of the E!Terrell Performing Arts Series which brings a diverse set of performances each year for the Terrell and surrounding communities as well as educational experiences and outreach for the local school districts.
Ms. Ohmann is very honored to be asked recently to join the Board of Directors of Pride Rock Wildlife Refuge. This is a wonderful organization committed to providing permanent sanctuary and shelter to mistreated and unwanted wild animals, primarily lions, tigers, cougars, bears and wolves. She is very excited and looking forward to helping with these successful and noble efforts.
cohmann@obe.com
Board Member
Andrea is an Animal SensAbility Master, Healing Touch for Animals Practitioner, a Shamballa (MDH) Reiki Practitioner, Natural Earth Medicine Healer, gifted Communicator, and an Intuitive Counselor for pets and their people. She provides a gentle touch and holistic approach that influences the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of all kinds of animals through energy, connection and intention. Andrea is also an experienced volunteer wildlife medic and rehabber. She holds a certificate in basic felid husbandry of wild/exotic felines through the Feline Conservation Federation. Andrea resides in Fountain Hills, AZ with her beloved English bulldog, Jack.
critterdoc1@cox.net
Board Member
Tom joined the PrideRock Wildlife Refuge Board of Directors in November 2016. He is the president of Texas Lamp Manufacturing, a third-generation, family-owned business since 1946. Tom is a native of Dallas and attended Texas A&M University. Tom also serves on the board of The Share Center in Kaufman County.
txlamp@airmail.net
Board Member
espo@asvfd.org
Board Member
Carlton joined the Chamber staff in March 2010 as Vice President. Carlton attended Abilene Christian University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and holds a Certificate of Continuing Education from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute and the University of Arizona’s Institute of Management. Carlton is a member of the Texas Economic Development Council, Texas Chamber of Commerce Executives, serves on the Board of Directors for Star Transit, Kaufman County Crimestoppers, and is the Kaufman County representative on the North Central Texas Workforce Board.
carlton@terrelltexas.com
Board Member
Tricia Smith is a dynamic, highly motivated, compassionate professional with a demonstrated track record of success; uniquely combining sales management, team building and corporate vision. Tricia has devoted her life to the ultimate goal of acting as a Community Advocate and Master Consensus Builder. A confident decision maker and effective problem solver; she has been able to work independently or as an integral part of a team effort.
triciadsmith@gmail.com
President & CEO
hollimang@gmail.com
Board Member
Wildlife Refuge with her husband in 1992, (formerly Pride & Pack) and became Vice President and Secretary/Treasurer when it became a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in 1998. She attended Abilene Christian University and Southern Methodist University and obtained a paralegal certificate. She currently works at Jackson Walker, LLP in the Dallas Arts District. Her true passion is caring for her animals at PrideRock which are the loves of her life.
cholliman@priderock.org
