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Former lineman volunteers with Claremore animal ranch, rescues injured fawn

CLAREMORE, Okla. — Eric McKenzie was an aerial lineman for many years. It’s a dangerous job that requires dangling from a helicopter to work on power lines.

But recently, something has him grounded.

McKenzie started volunteering at Wild Heart Ranch in Claremore with his wife, Kimmi McKenzie. This is a place dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating injured or orphaned wildlife.

One day, a couple brought in an injured fawn. McKenzie found out the baby’s mom was just killed in a car crash. The accident caused the fawn to be ejected from inside her mom.

She’s now known as “Crash,” and recovering from road rash.

McKenzie says seeing her alone, caused him to tear up. He says, “Being a guy, we tend to hold in our emotions. Be the rough and tough guys, but this right here will totally change you.”

His wife, Kimmi says, “I think everyone has kindness in them; it’s just you have to find something that will bring it out.”

When crash recovers, she’ll be released back into the wild. Eric and his wife moved closer to Wild Heart Ranch to keep volunteering and rehabilitating animals. Eric also does construction management instead, a job that isn’t as dangerous .

They encourage people to look into volunteering at Wild Heart Ranch. They say its changed them for the better. So many animals come there, with different stories and different needs.

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