“My extraordinary experience incited me to sell our home, vehicle and assets to take off on an excursion to see the world. That may appear excessive, but allow me to explain. In 2018, I made my first trip abroad to Bangkok.

I figured this outing would be an extraordinary method for moving away from the pressure in my life. It turned out to be a life-changing event that made me realize that I was just existing and not living.

My life was forever altered when we went on a day trip to Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand while we were in Bangkok. We learned that animal tourism is cruel and that tourists are complicit in it unknowingly.

By participating in animal tourism, we support illegal poaching and animal cruelty. This includes riding elephants and taking pictures with large cats or monkeys. In doing these things, we not only harm the animals but also guarantee that things will never improve.

I have to admit that I have never been a fan of animals, but seeing elephants up close and personal changed me. It inspired me to help others.