Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel is the Executive Director of the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge in Orlando, Florida. BTN’s mission is to rescue, raise, rehabilitate and release injured or orphaned Florida native species and to provide education about respecting and preserving the environment through their educational ambassadors. The refuge annually cares for over 4,000 wild animals.

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel, Executive Director, Back to Nature Wilfife Refuge
Debbie Helsel has always loved animals, especially wildlife. She grew up playing in the woods of Florida, where she would “run the paths, hide in brush, climb trees, make forts, and watch animals that [she] could find” – which were mostly armadillos, insects, and an occasional snake, as nocturnal animals were hidden away sleeping during her playtime. Debbie knew from an early age that her life was meant to be in service to nature, but says she “just didn’t really know what that meant, or where that path would lead.”
She tried to help animals in her yard that were injured, but there were no resources for her and she had no knowledge of how to help, just a desire to save them and not see them suffer. “There were many little custom-made coffins buried in the back yard over the years,” she explains. “Each one broke my heart, because all I could do was comfort the little creatures until they were at peace.”
There weren’t wildlife rehabilitators in her area when she was young, she lamented. “It was just kind-hearted people, doing the best they could with very few resources, and no one to turn to except their own intuition.” Most rehabilitators at that time were not paid, and many are still not compensated. Debbie adds that “they often spend their own money and resources to care for animals.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel is recognized for her dedication and tireless devotion to saving injured and orphaned wild animals.

“Coming from a family of six kids with one income made attending college difficult, and they never really talked about scholarships in school.” So, Debbie was left to find her way. After a few odd jobs, a former colleague convinced her to work for her at Animal Services, as they were opening up a spay and neuter clinic. “During orientation at my first day of work, the senior supervisor said it was possible I could be working directly with Carmen Shaw and the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge. I knew the name because I had tracked her down from a newspaper article a year earlier about how she was helping with the Exxon Valdez accident.” That same supervisor took her to BTN after her second day of work, and she says of the experience, “when we pulled up, I just knew I was home – and I have never looked back since.” That was in March of 1990.

Debbie credits her seventh grade science teacher at Liberty Junior High, Mrs. Bitner, for instilling the love of nature in her heart and igniting a spark that continued to grow. ‘We could get extra credit for going into the woods and locating and retrieving things like bracket fungi and ferns. She was a teacher who not only taught, but inspired. She shared her love of nature through glass jars of specimens and her talks of the woods and the ocean with us. I clung on to every bit of information I could. It was my favorite class and had a profound impact on my life’s path, one that I could not ignore. I was her student assistant for two years as well as having her for a teacher.” Debbie has kept in touch with Mrs. Bitner over the years and says “she always tells me how proud she is to have watched me grow and pursue my passion. She was the inspiration for my life path of helping wildlife, and I am forever grateful.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Hesel and an injured raccoon kit

“If everyone just gave a little consistently to the places they care about, it would be easier for us to focus our energy on caring for the animals and less on figuring out how to find the resources to do so.”

Things have changed in the 33 years Debbie has worked at the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, as the wildlife rehabilitation field has grown. What hasn’t changed is the commitment required. “It’s challenging, a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to the welfare of the animals. It is also heartbreaking. We often receive animals that are beyond our help, all we can do is give them those last moments of peace and not allow them to suffer more than they already have.”

Debbie says the animals brought in serve as a connection between people and the work BTN does. ”The animal is a teacher that brings them to the refuge, and opens their eyes to something they have never experienced or felt before,” she explains. She adds that it is a great feeling when the ‘aha’ moment happens with people. ‘Through our compassion and love for what we do, we have helped open their eyes to experience the wonder of nature, and they find something in their hearts they never realized was there.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel and her seventh grade science teacher, Mrs. Bitner.

Debbie offers that people do want to help, they sometimes just don’t know how, or think that their gift is insignificant. “I can tell you that the gify of their love in that moment to help the animal they brought is far from insignificant.” She says it is reassuring that there are many caring and giving people in the world. ‘We only have to look inside to see that little flicker of light and compassion that makes us who we are, and let it out! If we all only did a little bit every day to help another person or animal, the world would be such a better place.”

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a wildlife rehabilitator is like? It’s not for the faint of heart or energy. Debbie’s day starts early. She adds, “sometimes it starts before you even open your eyes, as you run through the list of things to do in your head.”The day is a nonstop race to stay caught up with everything that needs to be done: getting over 300 animals fed and cleaned, addressing medical issues, handling permits and paperwork, processing new animal intakes, and releasing rehabilitated animals. The day generally does not end at 5 pm. Often, round-the-clock care is required for many animals. Debbie says, “that means bringing them home with us to be fed every two to four hours.”

On top of that is the daunting work of fundraising. She says the desire to want to do more but not having the resources makes some days very long and hard. “You spend just as much time trying to find the financial resources to care for the animals as you do caring for them, and that leaves no time in the day for much of anything else. Fundraising is more than a full-time gig on its own.”Trying to figure out how to make ends meet is time consuming and overwhelming.  “Fundraising for the organization and balancing are the most challenging aspects to me, and always have been.” Debbie says all of these things are on her mind every moment of the day. “Sometimes you forget to eat or drink and hardly sleep, which takes a toll on your body. I always have to set alarms because I oversleep out of sheer exhaustion.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel and an adult opossum

As counterintuitive as it sounds, Debbie finds balance by helping friends who have other rehabilitation facilities, and need her skill sets. “Sometimes the pressure of everything gets to be overwhelming. The older I get, the more I realize I cannot keep the same pace I used to, but I have to strive to keep finding balance in my life outside the refuge so I don’t burn out completely.” If, after all of that, there is any time left, Debbie enjoys the adventure of digging for crystals!

“When I started out as a volunteer I could not wait for the days I would be at the Refuge. Today I need a little caffeine and chocolate to keep my energy up! It’s the desire to save the animals and promote awareness that keeps you going.” Debbie is “always filled with a sense of accomplishment” when she sees the native wildlife living free on the facility grounds. “I know I have a purpose and an obligation to fulfill until I am guided by God to do something different,” she states.

Debbie suggests that people interested in wildlife rehabilitation should commit to volunteering long term with wildlife rehabilitators to know if this occupation is a right fit for their heart and spirit. She says opportunities will arise from this. Her advice? “Learn all you can, while always helping others along the way; make lots of friends, help when no one else does, do the dirty and hard work, don’t wait to be asked to help with something you can do, stand out in the crowd, and be a leader; don’t be afraid to learn new things, and give it your whole heart and let it lead you, and you won’t go wrong. Be open to constructive criticism from those with lots of experience, and above all, be humble and show gratitude for the opportunity. You have to be willing to sacrifice almost all your time and energy to see your dreams come true. You are the only thing that holds yourself back from learning and growing, and your determination and effort create your opportunities.”

What gives her hope? Debbie says, “I have a deep love for Mother Nature and all she has to offer, good and bad. There are so many lessons she has always tried to teach us, and it’s obvious we still choose not to listen. The earth, to me, is in turmoil from everything we are doing without thought or regard for how it will affect the other creatures with whom we share the planet. People are finally waking up to the realization that once nature is gone, it’s gone! Saving nature is necessary not just for the survival of wild creatures, but for our survival as well.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel is the Executive Director of the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge in Orlando, Florida. BTN’s mission is to rescue, raise, rehabilitate and release injured or orphaned Florida native species and to provide education about respecting and preserving the environment through their educational ambassadors. The refuge annually cares for over 4,000 wild animals.

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel, Executive Director, Back to Nature Wilfife Refuge
Debbie Helsel has always loved animals, especially wildlife. She grew up playing in the woods of Florida, where she would “run the paths, hide in brush, climb trees, make forts, and watch animals that [she] could find” – which were mostly armadillos, insects, and an occasional snake, as nocturnal animals were hidden away sleeping during her playtime. Debbie knew from an early age that her life was meant to be in service to nature, but says she “just didn’t really know what that meant, or where that path would lead.”
She tried to help animals in her yard that were injured, but there were no resources for her and she had no knowledge of how to help, just a desire to save them and not see them suffer. “There were many little custom-made coffins buried in the back yard over the years,” she explains. “Each one broke my heart, because all I could do was comfort the little creatures until they were at peace.”
There weren’t wildlife rehabilitators in her area when she was young, she lamented. “It was just kind-hearted people, doing the best they could with very few resources, and no one to turn to except their own intuition.” Most rehabilitators at that time were not paid, and many are still not compensated. Debbie adds that “they often spend their own money and resources to care for animals.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel is recognized for her dedication and tireless devotion to saving injured and orphaned wild animals.

“Coming from a family of six kids with one income made attending college difficult, and they never really talked about scholarships in school.” So, Debbie was left to find her way. After a few odd jobs, a former colleague convinced her to work for her at Animal Services, as they were opening up a spay and neuter clinic. “During orientation at my first day of work, the senior supervisor said it was possible I could be working directly with Carmen Shaw and the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge. I knew the name because I had tracked her down from a newspaper article a year earlier about how she was helping with the Exxon Valdez accident.” That same supervisor took her to BTN after her second day of work, and she says of the experience, “when we pulled up, I just knew I was home – and I have never looked back since.” That was in March of 1990.

Debbie credits her seventh grade science teacher at Liberty Junior High, Mrs. Bitner, for instilling the love of nature in her heart and igniting a spark that continued to grow. ‘We could get extra credit for going into the woods and locating and retrieving things like bracket fungi and ferns. She was a teacher who not only taught, but inspired. She shared her love of nature through glass jars of specimens and her talks of the woods and the ocean with us. I clung on to every bit of information I could. It was my favorite class and had a profound impact on my life’s path, one that I could not ignore. I was her student assistant for two years as well as having her for a teacher.” Debbie has kept in touch with Mrs. Bitner over the years and says “she always tells me how proud she is to have watched me grow and pursue my passion. She was the inspiration for my life path of helping wildlife, and I am forever grateful.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Hesel and an injured raccoon kit

“If everyone just gave a little consistently to the places they care about, it would be easier for us to focus our energy on caring for the animals and less on figuring out how to find the resources to do so.”

Things have changed in the 33 years Debbie has worked at the Back to Nature Wildlife Refuge, as the wildlife rehabilitation field has grown. What hasn’t changed is the commitment required. “It’s challenging, a lot of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to the welfare of the animals. It is also heartbreaking. We often receive animals that are beyond our help, all we can do is give them those last moments of peace and not allow them to suffer more than they already have.”

Debbie says the animals brought in serve as a connection between people and the work BTN does. ”The animal is a teacher that brings them to the refuge, and opens their eyes to something they have never experienced or felt before,” she explains. She adds that it is a great feeling when the ‘aha’ moment happens with people. ‘Through our compassion and love for what we do, we have helped open their eyes to experience the wonder of nature, and they find something in their hearts they never realized was there.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel and her seventh grade science teacher, Mrs. Bitner.

Debbie offers that people do want to help, they sometimes just don’t know how, or think that their gift is insignificant. “I can tell you that the gify of their love in that moment to help the animal they brought is far from insignificant.” She says it is reassuring that there are many caring and giving people in the world. ‘We only have to look inside to see that little flicker of light and compassion that makes us who we are, and let it out! If we all only did a little bit every day to help another person or animal, the world would be such a better place.”

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a wildlife rehabilitator is like? It’s not for the faint of heart or energy. Debbie’s day starts early. She adds, “sometimes it starts before you even open your eyes, as you run through the list of things to do in your head.”The day is a nonstop race to stay caught up with everything that needs to be done: getting over 300 animals fed and cleaned, addressing medical issues, handling permits and paperwork, processing new animal intakes, and releasing rehabilitated animals. The day generally does not end at 5 pm. Often, round-the-clock care is required for many animals. Debbie says, “that means bringing them home with us to be fed every two to four hours.”

On top of that is the daunting work of fundraising. She says the desire to want to do more but not having the resources makes some days very long and hard. “You spend just as much time trying to find the financial resources to care for the animals as you do caring for them, and that leaves no time in the day for much of anything else. Fundraising is more than a full-time gig on its own.”Trying to figure out how to make ends meet is time consuming and overwhelming.  “Fundraising for the organization and balancing are the most challenging aspects to me, and always have been.” Debbie says all of these things are on her mind every moment of the day. “Sometimes you forget to eat or drink and hardly sleep, which takes a toll on your body. I always have to set alarms because I oversleep out of sheer exhaustion.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel

Debbie Helsel and an adult opossum

As counterintuitive as it sounds, Debbie finds balance by helping friends who have other rehabilitation facilities, and need her skill sets. “Sometimes the pressure of everything gets to be overwhelming. The older I get, the more I realize I cannot keep the same pace I used to, but I have to strive to keep finding balance in my life outside the refuge so I don’t burn out completely.” If, after all of that, there is any time left, Debbie enjoys the adventure of digging for crystals!

“When I started out as a volunteer I could not wait for the days I would be at the Refuge. Today I need a little caffeine and chocolate to keep my energy up! It’s the desire to save the animals and promote awareness that keeps you going.” Debbie is “always filled with a sense of accomplishment” when she sees the native wildlife living free on the facility grounds. “I know I have a purpose and an obligation to fulfill until I am guided by God to do something different,” she states.

Debbie suggests that people interested in wildlife rehabilitation should commit to volunteering long term with wildlife rehabilitators to know if this occupation is a right fit for their heart and spirit. She says opportunities will arise from this. Her advice? “Learn all you can, while always helping others along the way; make lots of friends, help when no one else does, do the dirty and hard work, don’t wait to be asked to help with something you can do, stand out in the crowd, and be a leader; don’t be afraid to learn new things, and give it your whole heart and let it lead you, and you won’t go wrong. Be open to constructive criticism from those with lots of experience, and above all, be humble and show gratitude for the opportunity. You have to be willing to sacrifice almost all your time and energy to see your dreams come true. You are the only thing that holds yourself back from learning and growing, and your determination and effort create your opportunities.”

What gives her hope? Debbie says, “I have a deep love for Mother Nature and all she has to offer, good and bad. There are so many lessons she has always tried to teach us, and it’s obvious we still choose not to listen. The earth, to me, is in turmoil from everything we are doing without thought or regard for how it will affect the other creatures with whom we share the planet. People are finally waking up to the realization that once nature is gone, it’s gone! Saving nature is necessary not just for the survival of wild creatures, but for our survival as well.”

Credit: Debbie Helsel