Seeds Of Wellbeing - SOW

Ep 59. Hawaii DOH has a veterinarian!

• Jim Crum / Ariella Barry • Season 3 • Episode 8

Share episode

Who knew that the Hawaii Department of Health had a veterinarian on staff?! We didn’t until we met Hawaii DOH’s one and only Public Health Veterinarian at a Hawaii Island conference in Kona. From speaking with her, it seems that’s true for a lot of folks in Hawaii, so in this episode we share our talk with recent Hawaii transplant, Ariella Barry, who was hired by the state DOH to fill a 20 year vacancy, and just in time to lend a hand during the 2025 Federal Government shutdown. We spoke with her during that Federal shutdown.

Brought to you by University of Hawaii College of Tropical Ag. and Human Resilience (CTAHR), and the Seeds of Well-being (SOW) Project. This podcast is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and Hawaii Department of Agriculture.

Resources:

Find out more about us:

Jim:

The views, information or opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the individuals involved, and do not necessarily represent those of the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, our funders or any of the organizations affiliated with this project. Welcome to a Seeds of Wellbeing"Experts in the Field" podcast featuring Hawaii agriculture producers and affiliates working in their field of expertise to support agriculture in Hawaii, in the United States and in some cases around the world. These podcasts are made possible by a grant from the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience, also known as CTAHR and the seeds of well being or sow project, and is supported by a grant from the US Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture,

Ariella Barry:

Being able To help people like immediately is really nice and people, I mean, people are coming to you on your worst day, so I think it also makes you just more aware of just how to deal with different situations, honestly, which was, yeah, I had no idea, but now I love it.

Jim:

Who knew that the Hawaii Department of Health had a veterinarian on staff? We didn't until we met Hawaii DOH's one and only Public Health Veterinarian at a Hawaii Island conference in Kona. From speaking with her, it seems that's true for a lot of folks in Hawaii. So in this episode, we speak with recent Hawaii transplant, Ariella Berry, who was just hired by the state DOH to fill a 20 year vacancy, and just in time to lend a hand during the 2025 federal government shutdown, during which we spoke with her. Aloha and welcome to a Seeds of Wellbeing podcast today we have with us Ariella from, actually, the Department of Health, as their lead, as their only veterinarian. Tell us. Tell us more about this, because this is the first that I'd ever heard of the Department of Health having a veterinarian. So what's the deal?

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, of course. Hi. Thanks for having me. So technically, my role title is officially as the Public Health Veterinarian for Hawaii. I think they actually did have it's been a long time. I think 20 years ago was the last person in my position. So I've been getting a lot of comments that people are super excited to have a veterinarian back on the staff. But the main reason why I think it's important to have a veterinarian, especially on the human health side of things is just to be able to connect the dots, I guess. We think about it that way. So my main role coming into the Department of Health is really to make sure the diseases that we see in animals don't really become threats to people, and helping the communities respond in ways that protects both. So just gives a different type of perspective on things, and I think especially Hawaii, with all the different types of diseases and communities we have here, it's been really nice to just present myself to them and make myself a resource for them. But, yeah, it's been new. It's have to make my way into human side of things. Yeah.

Jim:

So it's, it sounds like the position was vacant for 20 years. Is that what I'm hearing?

Ariella Barry:

I think that they just didn't have the, like, the grants and resources to really fund it. I think they really did love the last person who had this position, but it was just with so much going on, I think that they really it was hard to advocate for another veterinarian to come in. But I think the concept of One Health has really taken a lot of a big presence. And my the new chief of staff, or she's been for a couple years, Sarah Campbell, really pushed for this role because she sees how important it is to have a veterinarian here, which is great because, yeah, I think just bouncing ideas off each other has been really evident that it we do need more people from different sectors.

Jim:

Well, that's great. Well, welcome, or, I guess I should say aloha. It sounds like your recent addition to the islands. And from what I could tell, you spent, after you got went through veterinarian school, it looks like you've had about an like, one year stints in different roles and kind of emergency roles as a veterinarian. Is that correct?

Ariella Barry:

Yeah. So I did my, I completed my doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 2021 and I had a really strong passion for emergency medicine, so I did additional training, and then I went back to where I'm from, in California to do that. And I think I noticed just every night I worked my first job was those long overnight shifts. So I think a lot of those times I was actually able to have conversations with people that really made me more aware of public health, actually. So a lot of diseases that I saw, people didn't realize that they could actually get them from their pets too. And I think slowly I got like it sparked my interest that maybe there is a way to help humans and animals without just being that resource in the hospital. So, yeah, I started off as an emergency medicine veterinarian, and then I through that time like I said, I kind of learned that I maybe I want to explore public health. I got my master's in public health at the Harvard Chan school two years ago, and it was really nice program, because once again, I was one of two veterinarians in the whole class, and they hadn't had veterinarians there for a long time. So I've been dealing with this, which was great though. I think, like most of my class was physicians, human physicians, and a lot of people in that realm. And I think also that was really what made me realize that, okay, this is kind of the space I want to enter because it's needed. So I worked a lot on some projects with people there, just talking about diseases and things like that. So that was just, to me, the best experience I had in my introduction to public health. And I learned that there's actually a lot of veterinarians, they're just kind of behind the curtains a lot like more research and things like that. So when I found this position, I immediately knew that I had to kind of grab it, because I think it was just exactly what I was looking for. And so far, it's been great. I mean, been here since August, but I think that I've met amazing people, and I've just kind of been that new connection between agencies, and I think they just really appreciate that I'm there right away when anybody needs to get in touch with the Department of Health.

Jim:

Nice. Well, that ER background, I'm sure, comes in in handy and people need immediattee. Yes, yeah. What drew you to emergency medicine?

Ariella Barry:

I yeah, I'm honestly if you would have asked me in veterinary school if I was going to be in going to be emergency veterinarian, I would have left. There's no way. I hated it. I thought it was just so chaotic. I didn't understand how anybody could keep doing it. But then, when I actually was placed in that position to do it, and then especially during my one year internship where I worked probably like 80 hours a week, I I kind of learned quickly that I like that chaos. I like just, I guess, having different things, not knowing what's going to come to the door, just having to act on, like, right away, act on your feet. I think it just kind of, I think that's what when people tell you, either you love it or you hate it. And, yeah, I think it was just the ability to do so many things at once, and just my mind was constantly working, and I was learning it on the go as well. I And then, I mean, I now looking back, it definitely prepares you for life in general. Nothing seems that stressful anymore once you work an emergency shift. But yeah, it was really just being in it. I had no intention of doing it. And then, I think after my internship, I think the mentors I had were definitely essential in making me love it. And then I just continued it, because I realized I kind of thrive in that environment during my time here, I actually work on the weekend, sometimes at one of the the big emergency hospital, VERC in Downtown Honolulu, just because I miss it. It's kind of like that scratch you need to itch. But yeah, so I think, and then being around like community, I just think the veterinary community is so close, so small, but I think we're all there for the same reason, just as the people in the department of health are. So it's really nice to be around people that want to help and do the same thing as you.

Jim:

it's you're not getting that adrenaline rush, right? And probably get a nine to five work schedule as opposed to overnights. So, so that Burke you said was the name of the hospital.

Ariella Barry:

Yeah? The V-E-R-C Burke, emergency referrals center.

Jim:

Okay, yeah, emergency medicine for animals as well, right?

Ariella Barry:

And it's the biggest one, I think, on the island. And they have some of the only specialists there, so they're pretty, really well equipped. And they welcome me immediately. And I'm actually working there tomorrow, which will be fun after Halloween.

Jim:

Hey, maybe we should have talked after that, and you could have told some stories.

Ariella Barry:

Good stories. How many, how many dogs came in for chocolate?

Jim:

ERs, ers are usually hopping on Halloween, right, right. So let's see. So your Department Health gig is, how did you find that job? By the way, was it just online or referral?

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, it was online. I think I, like I said, during some of those crazy shifts, there is some downtime on overnights, and I think it was just something that I kind of just always in the back of my head. Knew I wanted to enter this space. I didn't know when it was going to happen. There was no timeline. And then I just found it online. And immediately I talked to my supervisor, now, Dr. Sarah Kimball, and she was like, really just made me feel, like, reassured me that this was a good position to be in, and even though I am going to be the only one that she would help me and be there for me, and she definitely has been. So yeah, I just found it online. But yeah, I think it was through the interview process that I really got interested about the job and excited about it. So yeah,

Jim:

Have, how have you found the move? Have you had you been to Hawaii before? Or is this all new to you?

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, I've been here for vacation, mainly, and then I had some friends who went to New Age, which was nice to visit them, but I haven't been back in a while. So the move was good. I brought my big dog, so now it's, it's really nice, because when people come in and say, You don't know how difficult it is to get your pet here, I know from experience, so it's really nice to tell people how to prepare for that, too. And the move wasn't hard. I actually live in I got a really nice place in Aina Hina, the community here is amazing. And one of my good friends from college actually moved with me, which was great. So we're here together. And yeah, we love it so far. I think, yeah, I just everybody's so nice. Maybe we just been in California for too long, but everybody's really, really nice.

Jim:

And so what's your typical day look like for this?

Ariella Barry:

Right? Yeah, yeah. I mean, actually, this is why I say, like, I think emergency medicine really prepared me, because every day so far has been a little different. So, for example, a lot of the beginning was just meetings, introductions and just letting people know I'm here, and just giving them like my information as a resource. But I mean, recently, things have been changing like so I work on I've been working with all the epidemiologists to see what they, so a lot of is catching up on what has already been getting done at the Department of Health, but been doing, actually a lot of cool things. So I mean, this past or two weekends ago, I actually went to the farmers union convention on Kona, and that was a that was a really nice experience to meet everybody that way and just being a presence there. And I think, I guess they're not, not too many state employees go to events like that, so it was nice just to be there and listen to people's experiences and but yeah, I think, like I said, Every day has kind of been different, which, to me, is great, like going out, also on the human side of things, going out to respond to outbreaks some days, I mean, and you can't plan for that. It's just if it happens, you go, and then, yeah, I think, like I said, so another thing that I'm trying to think of just really fun things that we've done, but working with the USDA, working with the Department of Agriculture before, when they still were working was it was interesting just to see, like, how they operate. So I would go out on field trips with one of the people to see how they collect samples from wild ducks, or how they do collect all this stuff. So I think I've just been really immersing myself and just seeing exactly what people do to really understand and then offer my services working with the DLNR and just, yeah, like, every day has honestly been different. I think there's days where it is a little slower than what I'm used to in a hospital. But like, for example, this meeting right now is really nice to meet with Tao and just Vincent and yeah, any opportunity I just kind of grab, which is nice.

Jim:

Yeah, so we're, we're recording this during a government shutdown. So I think your comment about when they were still working, right? Yeah, has, has that? How has that changed your job? I mean, it's been, actually a decent percentage of the time you've been working there has been government shutdown. But has that impacted you?

Ariella Barry:

So I think it's just, I mean, the people that I had still connect with, they still want to be there and not in work. So I think it's just been put a little more pressure on resources like the DNLR or places like the Hawaii Life Wildlife Center or the zoo, who now kind of have to pick up some more work, which, there we are equipped to do that. But I think it's just been, at this point, a little more navigating who takes on some responsibility that now we don't have those agencies. But for me personally, I haven't felt it. I think I've just been trying to help the other agencies that have been so it has been weird, though, yeah, at first, like having everybody been able to help. And now I think we did prepare though, which was nice. We didn't know this was going to happen. We prepared in other ways, but that did actually help everybody have a little more understanding of, like, who to contact and how to get things done efficiently. So I think I actually came in a good time, because now I'm kind of like a really good resource for people to get in contact with the Department of Health, even if they didn't have that relationship before, which has been nice.

Jim:

Great. Yeah, excellent. That's good to hear you mentioned one health. We shared, you shared notes with me before we recorded this that seemed to be an important emphasis for you, and perhaps it is for the community. So maybe if you could jump into that a little bit, that would be helpful.

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, and I think it's been a really interesting thing to kind of talk about one health with people, even people who I think would know what it is actually don't, which is why I think it's good I've entered the space. So when, when I talk about one health, I kind of like to simplify it. It just means the health of people, animals and the environment. We're all connected. We're all here. We all share the same land, all the same resources. So what affects what we think? Like, oh, that's just one little bird, or that's just one cat. That could actually affect everyone, if we follow that through. So for like, I'll give you some examples. If the water, if we keep the water clean, we protect the fish, and the fish are the people who give, get the fish, and then they give the fish out for people to buy and eat. If there's a disease there, the people who do fish lose their financial resources. And then obviously we have to deal with people who get sick from the fish. I know ciguatera is a big thing here. So another thing, another example, is when we think about chickens, feral chickens, they could spread disease like salmonella. And I guess a lot of people only really pay attention when there's recalls, and like, Oh, like this one thing from Costco is recalled, but then we have to think about, okay, so where did that come from? Who else does that affect? And how did that get responded to? And now what's going to happen? I think also, another thing people really got attached to was the egg prices. So that's another thing. When we think about it's not just about the consumers. It's also about the producers. It's about the actual land. It's about how long that takes to recover. And we really are all connected. And then, specifically, what I saw a lot on emergency was just people's pets. So I mean, it affects you in ways we can't even imagine. I mean, even me having my dog here helps my mental health. I met so many people just in this community by just having him and walking out and then just there's been so many studies that show having pets like I said, makes you want to exercise. It lower stress. It builds social connections. So really, that is all one health. And I think people don't realize how important it is, and also in a timely manner, we don't want to wait till saying, oh, we should have done this. We should have brought a vet in, or we should have brought a doctor or an anthropologist or someone in to, like, help us give a different view. So really, making sure everybody can work together is one health, and that's why I kind of love the Department of Health. There's so many people from different backgrounds.

Jim:

So yeah, and there's, there was something you were sharing with me, a bird sanctuary story, is that, does that related to the topic?

Ariella Barry:

I think that's actually one of the best examples. I personally wasn't here for that, but I have talked to multiple, multiple people who responded to it last fall. it was one of the biggest duck sanctuaries on the island. And unfortunately, Oahu, yeah, and last year, unfortunately, they one of them, there was an outbreak of the bird flu, avian influenza. And this wasn't just like a typical situation where the loss just came from the producer's side. This was a loss where this person who ran the sanctuary was bonded with each and every one of those ducks. So when I talked to people who had to go, it wasn't just like a normal depopulation situation where you go and that's unfortunate. What happens, because there's so many you have to deal with. This was around, I mean, still, a lot of animals, 80, I think it was almost 100 where each was individually euthanized because of that connection that that person had developed with them. And there was, there's, they were so grateful that they actually had invited a social worker to come to that, because that's just not something like that. We understand the grief, but we're not professionally trained to deal with that. So we are trained to go out and make sure everyone's safe and the animals and the people. But when learning more about that response, there was multiple agencies there. It wasn't just the Department of Health. I think they each told me that it was. So it was just a very different experience than what they were all used to, and it was a really big loss for the community as well, because this is something where it's a sanctuary people come in. The whole point is to keep them there and have the community support them as well. So I think that I that showed Oahu I think it was a really good time for people here to see it firsthand that this is how important the human animal bond is, and grief is real as much as it is for some people as losing a human so like I said, I wasn't there personally, they did recover. They're doing well on the sanctuary. It's still going, but it was one of the biggest losses here, definitely.

Jim:

And it sounds like you have the ability to connect with mental health, resource support resources if you need, yeah, yeah.

Ariella Barry:

Which was, I think, like I said, the best thing they could have done for that situation. And I think they'll definitely utilize that more for future ones, if they think it's if the if it's needed, and if, I guess, wanted there, yeah,

Jim:

Well, we just recently had a podcast that was with Jeff Corle, who's had to shut down. He actually found us, and he had a song called "Empty Barn" that went somewhat viral because he had to close down his dairy barn in Pennsylvania, and it was like the last of 30 small, small scale dairy farmers in that area, and they're all starting to shut down. So that that song just seemed to really resonate with a lot of people when he shared the vulnerability of his sadness and and which is a hard thing to do, right when you're an ag producer in general, folks just want to tough it out and don't want to ask for help. So Jeff's song moved a lot of people in those ways too. So yeah, I think having those mental health, have being aware of those, those mental health issues, and finding ways to address it and finding resources seems like it's great, and it seems like you're empowered to do that too in your role, which is nice to hear. Is there anything else you wanted to share about one health and how it might impact your connection with the community?

Ariella Barry:

I think it's also really important to emphasize, like, when I talk about one health, it's not just I'm not choosing between animals are people. It's really, I want people to understand. It's caring for both, and that's what keeps Hawaii healthy, is that we look at, yeah, obviously I am a veterinarian, or, like the people Department of Health. There are specific things we do need to address first, but it's really about helping both thrive, and not just saying, Okay, we need to deal with this human disease and not and forget about the animals, or that we need to focus on the animals and forget about people. I think it's not choosing any either or it's really helping both. So we can live and keep Hawaii like I said, Keep Hawaii healthy, and just make sure that we really all care for the land and everything that we get to do in this paradise here. So I think it's, yeah, it's really important that I think that point comes across, it's helping everybody here, and every like all beings, not just focusing our attention on one thing. So I think

Jim:

it's, how can I? How can I? Sounds like that's part of your role and part of the network of people that you're you're working with. So how do I in the community as or in particular, as an ag producer, is there, are there ways that I can kind of focus on that and be more conscious and aware and try to help facilitate that?

Ariella Barry:

Right, so I think if this, it's something that you did, you were interested in, I think let's say, for example, you want to use the best things to feed your animals. You want to like, make sure you're not just like trying. You want to keep your animals healthy, because that that goes down to the people who do consume the animals, and you want them to be healthy too. So I think when you don't want to take shortcuts, because I think the whole thing, if you keep your animals, your land healthy, that eventually leads to your whole community being healthy. So for me, I that's how I see it. I think if people are taking the time and using like, using that care for their animals and what they've established, then it really just shows with everybody else. And it shows like, I mean, you can taste like things, you can like when things taste better. You know, the animals were healthier and happier. I just think that people are starting to really understand that. And I think people then, if they can see it more, maybe advocating or showing people, like, maybe the prices are a little higher, but look how much we care for our animals and like, what how happy they're thriving on this land, and you're helping support this type of lifestyle for these animals. So I think that would definitely be a way if, if you did want to involve the community more, showing them really, like, where their food does come from. I think it's I love seeing stuff like that. I love doing my research, seeing what they're doing, how they're making it sustainable, and what they're doing for best practices. And that would really just make it so the community understands better, maybe doesn't. Maybe understands the prices and like, it's more than just money. It's, like I said, it's making everybody and the animals healthy.

Jim:

Got it so, kind of happy animal, happy life, right? Yeah, exactly, sick animals, sick human, I guess. Exactly. Yeah, connection to so maybe definitely. Yeah, okay, great. I think ways people can get a hold of you. I i know you shared a health.hawaii.gov website where people can reach out if if they need assistance, or if there's an issue, but maybe if you could share some examples, of course, I'll put that in the show notes. But I think if you have some examples of when it's appropriate to reach out to you or Department of Health, and what situations might might precipitate someone trying to find you and and work with you, right?

Ariella Barry:

So actually, there's a pretty good system I've had where they people who call. The Department of Health, like just to talk about if they're worried about an illness, or if, like obvious. A lot of it's more like, oh, I ate at this restaurant. I don't feel good. But I've had moments where people have actually called me on different islands and say, Hey, I had this call that I just think you would be better suited for. So then I kind of jump on and I talk to people directly, and then at that point, I kind of guide them to where they need to go. So, I mean, it could be anything. I had a case where a case, sorry, talking in hospital terms, but I had, I had someone call me from a different island, and it was just a concerned owner. She had just adopted a pet from the Humane Society, and something as simple as that pet having giardia was definitely something I wanted to talk to them about. I'm there to make them feel better about their decision and like know that, to trust the people that are giving them that advice. So something from as simple as that to we might have, there was a bird found at UH Manoa, and now has been a non negative for bird flu, and we're still investigating that. So it could be as simple as that, or, Hey, I think that I'm not, I would honestly take on any role. So it could be something that, like a mental health wise, oh, like we have a client, or we have someone who a producer, who is worried about shutting down, or worried about getting compensated back for the product that was lost. So basically, if you call the Department of Health and you ask to speak to the Public, the Veterinarian on Staff, I get that call right away. They really try to make it efficient. And I mean, I'm there Monday through Friday, but I've taken calls on weekends. Honestly, I just that's just in my nature. I don't really, I don't feel like I'm ever off duty. So I yeah, if there's ever there's always someone who answers the call on Department of Health, always someone on the weekends, always someone after hours. So it is something that, like I said, even if it doesn't happen that second, it will happen that day, or I'll personally call them back. So it can be anything regarding, anything about your animals, even if you just are worried about something that just or you want to confirm something, double check something that was happened, versus Oh, there's my I'm worried about getting sick from this dog, or I got bit by this dog. There's been moments where we've had to respond to that too. So they really do utilize me for everything. Anything that the word animal pops up like I will be there to help anybody, and it doesn't matter, like I said what time it is, Your call will be answered no matter what. There are people always on standby at the Department of Health, which is amazing. I had no idea.

Jim:

Okay, yeah, I did actually try the chat bot on that website after you sent me the link, and it was actually better than I expected. So many are lame, right? I suppose they're getting better, but this one said, redirect me, a Hawaii Department of Agriculture Animal Industry Division. Is that you? Or is that someone else?

Ariella Barry:

That'd probably be more of the Department of Agriculture, or Agriculture and Biosecurity now, but still, like, I get kind of looped into those as well. And if it's something where they think more is in my realm, then I would cover them. But they're pretty good as well responding. And like I said, we have a pretty good I have a really good relationship now with all the different people in those agencies. So it's really nice having that collaboration, that inter-agency collaboration, because even we just want to make sure we're all on the same page and making sure the public has the same message from everybody. That's the whole thing. We don't want people to be confused. We don't want people to think that they're being told one thing, but then it might not be right. So that's where I think one health also comes in, like making sure we're all supporting the community with the same message, which has been great so far.

Jim:

Okay, so is there a main number you want to give out? Or maybe I can just Google that and put it in the show notes as

Ariella Barry:

definitely, I can give it to you later, because I well. think there's an app I want to make sure it's the right one in the after hours one. But I think that would be nice to have definitely, because it's there. I just want to make sure it's to differentiate which one is like the day versus.

Jim:

If you miss the adrenaline rush, we can just give everybody your cell phone number and Right, right. It's not feeling well, yeah.

Ariella Barry:

I mean, I that's the problem. I didn't I do answer calls if I don't have the number, and sometimes people have called me asking, wait, did I see your dad a couple years ago? Oh, no.

Jim:

Whatever number, whatever number you want to send me, or, as we still talk, if you want to try to find it, and we can just say

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, I'll definitely find that. It's like I said, I get looped in the calls all the time, and it's been really nice just to give even if it doesn't matter if you think it's small or not. I mean, I, I will answer any question, yeah.

Jim:

But you know, I want to respect that you that you want to have a life or maybe a second job.

Ariella Barry:

I guess now people know where they can find me outside of the Department of Health at that hospital.

Jim:

If they're on Oahu... So I'm going to ask one more, One Health question, is this something that's commonly understood and in the 2020s, and forward? Because it to me, it was a brand new concept. But is it something well understood and I'm just kind of ignorant of it at this point, or because of my lack of focus on it? Or is this? Tell me,

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, no, like I said, I'm still meeting physicians who, like, I have not heard of like concepts, so I don't I think it's something, if you talk to anybody in the public health field, they know what that is, and that's always kind of been around. And obviously veterinarians, I just say, but we've just kind of been ahead, a little bit ahead of, like human in this way. So I think if you talk to any obviously veterinarian, they that is something we've been like. That was instilled day one of our training, one health, because we knew how important it was to work, to learn from human medicine. I mean, it's always been there. There's always been comparative medicine. When we think about even something as simple as research, when things get done on animals, things are being done for human medicine benefit, which has just it's always been there. But I think when people normally would think about how they connect, research has been the biggest thing. But mean, drugs have been developed using animal models since, I think that's been around for mainly since medicine developed. Honestly, that's how things were tested. So I think that part of One Health has always been there, but now actually discussing, I mean, there's a lot of different health. There's one health, planetary health, but I think it's been picking up, at least especially with all like we talked about zoonotic diseases, so diseases that are transferred from animals to people. Specifically, I think people are becoming more aware of it, and I think Hawaii is actually a really good place to understand it, because there are just different diseases here, such as not different, but more prevalent than most places on the mainland. So for example, leptospirosis is a big thing that is dealt with here. toxoplasma and then rat lungworm. I think a lot more people are aware of the of One Health idea because of, unfortunately, these things that are prevalent in the communities and but, yeah, I don't want you are not ignorant. I really teach people this every day, and it's like I said, it's really interesting when human physicians have no idea what I'm talking about. But then when I talk, when I kind of start explaining it, they go, oh, right, right, right. Yeah, I did read about that, or we did learn a lecture on that one. So I think if you're not really in the public health realm, or it's not the common knowledge, but once you think about it and look it up, people, like, understand what it means right away, which is really nice. So, yeah, I think it's something it's gonna pick up. I just think there needs to be more awareness of it. And I I think, like I said, it's starting to happen, but it's kind of already always been behind the scenes. So it's there

Jim:

One for the veterinarians, they're ahead of the curve, yeah. One certain focus I want to take us to, related to ag producers. But I just want to make sure we've covered all the points that you want to make.

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, I think we have. I think one more thing we kind of touched on it a little bit, but that human animal bond and mental health, not just about like getting them, having you get out with them and do more things. But I think it is, like I said, that grief when I've seen people personally lose pets, like the amount of times I've had to, unfortunately help them with that transition. And I think for veterinarians, animal responders, and I think, like, example, the people that were there on that day of the duck sanctuary. So I just think it's really important for people to really understand that it's a it's a hard thing, and I understand like some people may not know, especially if they never felt that way with it pet before. But I think it's a really good thing to also talk about now, because caring for others, human or animal. I mean, it takes a toll. And I think public health is isn't just about stopping diseases. It's about also, like supporting, like we talked about that emotional well being of people, and so that's why I'm saying public health is this huge umbrella, like we're here for everything. It's not just like if you are sick from eating at a restaurant, if you're not feeling well, or if something is really, like, I know right now, with the shutdowns, or like, losing like, federal, like funding just to get food like that is why public, like the Department of Health, is here. It's really everything about the human health, and if you do need help, like we are there for that too. So it's there's just so many aspects of it. And I think I just really want to emphasize the mental health part of it, because I think that, like you said, gets overlooked a lot, unfortunately.

Jim:

And as you say this, I realize there are support groups, there are grief support groups that form when there's a death of a human, but I'm not sure I've ever heard of one that's for animals.

Ariella Barry:

I think there actually might be. I've never personally. Have to join what I think when there are, there are such thing as, like, animal communicators too. I've been, I've like, I said, never personally been involved in that, but I've heard stories where people do form groups, or they do find people to, like, help them through that transition. And I wish it was something I was more trained at. I think I get, I've talked to human physicians to ask me if they've ever been trained in school to deal with this type of grief, because I know that we weren't, and it is something you're kind of thrown into right away, like you have to be there for people. So I know there are social workers at hospitals, and I think that would be like the biggest win if veterinary that hospitals or animal clinics could get that as well, because the grief that I've seen sometimes is just unimaginable with people losing their pets, and it's just something that, unfortunately I can do as much I can offer, as much as I can, but I'm not a professional in that way. So I think there I have heard, there are groups, and I think it's just important to not be ashamed of that grief. Because, I mean, I know there was plenty of people who came in that said that that animal was their last connection to like, their actual like partner that had passed away a year before, like someone that had given them that pet had passed away. So it's not even just about that animal. There's just so many things that go behind it that to me, that grief is huge. And I know agriculture workers too. I mean, that's what they do, that's their life, taking care of these animals. So even though, yeah, big hit will be the financial part. I mean, you have to say goodbye to something you've been taking care of for days, weeks, years, and I imagine that is really hard, especially if you have to do it multiple times. And I mean, for me personally, it's hard to do it to help people say goodbye to their pets. So I've said goodbye to my own pets as well. And it's it's just a different feeling that it's really nice to be around people who've experienced it as well. So I hope there's groups for domestic animals as well as agriculture communities too. I just think it's really nice, like I said, to have people truly understand what it feels like, because it's really hard. It's just a really hard thing to go through. And yeah, I think that's why mental health is huge in this field.

Jim:

Yeah, well, if I'm gonna spend some time after this call to see if I can find any resources, because now I'm intrigued, but, yeah, find something. I'll post it. I'll share it with you too,

Ariella Barry:

yeah, I'll look too. I haven't looked up yet here, but I know in California there was a couple groups, yeah.

Jim:

Yeah. That kind of makes sense. I know Seeds of Wellbeing is has support groups with farmers supporting farmers, so it's logical extension for what we're trying to put out there. So you mentioned pets. It sounds like a lot of your emergency or your background was probably related to domesticated animals. But what tell us a little bit about your connection. It sounds like you went to a farmers conference, and you're connected with the ag community, and I think in Hawaii, there's maybe a disproportionate number of people that have chickens and and livestock in general, compared to maybe what your background was in your previous jobs. So what's that connection like for you? And what do you see as as your role related to livestock?

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, so, I mean, it was my first time meeting a lot of people, because it was on Kona, so I think that's for most of the ag community is here, and where the biggest farms are definitely. So learning about, I guess, just how much is actually produced, I had no idea. So I kind of had an understanding how much could be produced and how much is exported, but it's the numbers were so much bigger than I thought. So I had no I thought they were more small, like smaller farms, and just compared to things we see on the mainland. But I mean the amount of people that are fed from the farmers on Kona especially is just enormous. And I think when I thought more about it, if they're not supported, then people go are left hungry. So I think it's so important that the farmers get the like, the investments they need, the resources. I know that one of the talks that was super interesting to me, and I know a lot of people, actually was the chair of the Sharon Ward, I think is her name, the chair of the Department of Ag and Biosecurity. She was talking specifically about numbers on how much money is needed, and how she's trying to get that passed, and how much we need to invest in our farmers. And it's, like I said, not just about them, it's about feeding all of Hawaii. So I think that was the biggest thing I took away from that convention, is just understanding how many people are affected by those I mean, there's not that many too, but how many people are guaranteed food safety from the people, the farmers in Hawaii, and I can't imagine the pressure that puts on them. Too. So it's something where, if they did need more support from the Department of Health in any way, where it was that maybe we could potentially move funds to help the Department of Agriculture, I think that would be something interesting. It's just it's hard, because mainly on the mainland, too, is the Department of Agriculture here and in Hawaii too, like, they're the main resource for those farmers. But if it's something where they ever wanted to get involved in this space, the Department of Health, like, I think that would be great, because it's they're feeding the people and they're keeping the people healthy, right? So I think it's they have support, but obviously right now, too, with the shutdown and everything, it's just their resource. Like I when I would hear from the actual farmers, they were saying how a lot of their the clearance papers are like, all the things that they needed couldn't get done because they needed to go through agencies that were not there right now. So that was really hard to hear that people were on hold to produce to, like, keep their farm going, or even they were starting new farms, or they were bringing more animals in, and now they can't, because of what's happening right now.

Jim:

Yeah, because of the shutdown. Yeah,

Ariella Barry:

Right, it was, it was hard to hear, but, and a lot of frustrations, but I think the people who are representing them, especially in like Washington, like there were some people there too, are fighting really hard for them, which was really nice to hear. And it sounded like from all the people that were there listening, they felt heard, they felt supported. They are just obviously very everybody's uncertainty right now what's happening? So it was nice to hear that, or see that relationship that higher up people had with everybody in the community. I think that was great. And like I said, if there's any way we can help, I mean, it is hard right now, definitely, but I mean, I was there to make myself known, like if you do need to come, if there's anything you would like to tell me, or tell Department of Health, that's why I'm here. So, right? It was just really eye opening to me.

Jim:

So it sounds like you're getting involved with ag producers and and the ag community going to the conference on the Big Island and kind of, some of the things you've mentioned indicate that, and the reality of Hawaii, right, which is a lot of domestic more than just domesticated animals. So, so what would be an appropriate time for an ag producer, or, you know, farmer or rancher that has cattle, has livestock, to reach out to you? What would be appropriate and maybe helpful for that connection, right?

Ariella Barry:

So I guess if there was any indication they fell ill, obviously, and they were worried that if they can't work, then they're going to lose, like, they're like, having them take time off would really affect their their job. So if they feel ill right away, then it'd be something definitely. We could help with that, trying to figure out how, like, what they have, if we kept, if it's something where we can go there personally and like, actually send stuff to our state lab where we are worried about something that can spread, like containing disease, like that. If, if they get to a point to where their animals are sick, I think the first person to call would mainly be the Department of Ag and Biosecurity. But if they would also, that's the thing. So if they do call them, but they think it'd be something I'm more suited for, I would get brought into that conversation right away. So wouldn't just now that I'm here. That's why it's nice too, that they can. I think calling for certificates or like health stuff for their their animals on the farm is more of that agency. But let's say if they do call them, they have my personal number, they have my email, and I would be the I would reach out right away. So honestly, I think, like I said, there's no wrong person or agency to go do first, but mainly the Department of Agriculture handles most of their issues. But if they think that we actually will be able to help them because we have more resources in that area, then I would get brought into that so, but if it is something to where they're worried, like, oh, there, maybe there's wild animals on there that are affecting their livestock too, or then that could be something where I'm brought into that situation, because working with the wildlife resources or The DNLR, so I think definitely the first kind of line of communication would be to contact the Department of Ag, but then they would then contact me and and then we can work that way as well.

Jim:

Okay, that's helpful, yeah, because it's especially with it a role that's been, it sounds like it's been essentially vacant for a few decades, and I think you're still trying to figure out what, where you plug into the system, right?

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, but I'm here. I want to help so, but yeah, I think they're they, like I said, I we do have a solid relationship now. So wouldn't be something where they say, Oh, well, maybe we can direct you to them. Like, now they will immediately call me or email me.

Jim:

Okay, great. So you may just show up. You may, you may.

Ariella Barry:

Yeah, I will do it, anything to get me out of the office. And just, I love talking to people, and I've learned recently that a lot of people don't mind meeting on line like this. And when I bring up the oh, I'll part of the island. I'll come over do all this, but like, they just, it's not, I guess, that common anymore, because we've just been unfortunately placed in these settings. But yeah, I will come. I will do it if I'm able to.

Jim:

Okay. And it sounds like your role extends to all the islands. Is that right? Not just like, even Lanai and the smaller Molokai and the smaller islands.

Ariella Barry:

yeah, yeah, definitely, yeah.

Jim:

But sounds like zoom is predominant these days, like

Ariella Barry:

Yes, but No, I will go. I like anyone.

Jim:

Yes, you might, might be nice actually, to get out of the office, huh? We thank Ariella for sharing details with us about this newly resurrected position with the DOH. She is eager to help with any animal related concerns on any of the Hawaiian Islands, and so encourages folks to reach out by calling the state's disease outbreak control division at 808-586-4586 and asking to speak with the veterinarian on staff, since she is the only one on staff that would be her. Any parting words you want to share with Hawaii, ag producers,

Ariella Barry:

Just that I'm here. And like I said, even if you don't think it's something that I should or could be involved in, it doesn't hurt to just ask and reach out. And I think, like I said, I'm so willing to talk to anybody or get involved in any space. So if, even if you don't think anything would come of it, I will make sure to always call back or email back, or even visit if I can. But yeah, I just want people to know I am here because it is nice to have someone who understands the animal, human, animal bond, and also like the repercussions of being a, losing animals on a farm or things, a lot of things like that. There is someone in the Department of Health now who really does want to advocate for people, and not that they don't already. It's just now that we have someone assigned to that role, whereas it's hard, because, like I said, Department of Health covers so much keeping Hawaii healthy, so now you have someone that is here just to kind of have more insight on that stuff. So yeah, I'm here. I just want people to know that I'm here.

Thao:

The intention of these podcast series is to create a safe space for respectful and inclusive dialog with people from across a broad and diverse spectrum involved in growing and making accessible the food we share together. A diversity of voices, perspectives and experiences can serve to deepen mutual understanding, to spark creative problem solving and provide insight into the complexities of our agriculture system. If you, our listeners, have experiences with Hawaii agriculture ecosystem, from indigenous methods, permaculture, small holder farmers to large including multinational agricultural industrial companies, and everywhere in between, and you would like to share your story. Please contact us. We welcome your voices and perspectives.