Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish Schmorde
Hi Trish, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Yes, I grew up loving animals having an excellent Veterinarian mentor who raised Gun Dogs I was fascinated. I did some schooling and became a Vet Tech, but I wanted more. I saw the need for breeders to raise good Dogs/Cats in a small focused way making them valid family members. After a car accident that nearly took my life causing major spinal issues and now arthritis through my entire spine and suffering a major TBI that also has changed my life and caused me to be disabled I also had this drive and was compelled to create therapy animals for those in need. This in turn would help me for I would have a focus and a purpose instead of feeling sorry for myself for being in so much pain and dealing with long-standing issues. Animals are great for healing and support in many medical and mental situations. The Cat or Dog needs to be raised accordingly to give it that good start this would be my job. I raised dogs for many years with this purpose as the center and focus and excellent family companions. It is more work but it pays off for you have a Cat or dog who is socialized toward people who are not raised outdoors but with the family and focusing on neurostimulation to help build more brain cells. There have been studies on this if it is done properly it has been shown to work. After working with dogs for many years doing this I filed back to just a few dogs and added exotic cats. Cats are easy to accommodate and they are extremely therapeutic. The Maine Coon, Highlander Lynx, and the Hibernian Lynx as well as the very rare and coveted Pharoah cat which is the Highlander Lynx X Maine Coon. These breeds I selected have varied personalities to fit everyone. I keep it extremely small and many family and friends house cats/dogs in my program. The difference is in the socialization and time put in with every litter. This is something that drives me and benefits the families who get an Exotic Cat whether it be for a family member, PTSD, etc. Raising them in a focused in-home environment this way is crucial and has great benefits on social development towards humans this is my own opinion and belief through my studies over the years of animal behavior I feel in my opinion if raised close to humans it can’t help but pay off in the long run as far as how social they are.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been challenges along the way. I have to travel during the year chasing good weather due to my entire spinal arthritis and other health issues that are made worse in bad weather. Having family and close ties in Oregon and being my place of birth, but winters are not tolerated there when it comes to my health so I find myself in North California, and Southern California during the Winter and Spring months. This makes it so people have to travel to me if they are from Oregon during these months and vice versa for the summer months when I am in Oregon people have to travel from CA if they want an exotic cat from me. Another Challenge is the travel alone with the Cats I have to get them all used to travel. But in the long run, this benefits them for they become accustomed to traveling. I have found that travel helps them with socialization and dealing with stress for it is a fact of their life road travel.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My life purpose, hobby, and passion is raising exotic cats, and at present time, I still have a couple of Shiba Inus. These animals I produce from my hard work and passion can go on to help those interested in a therapy animal. I specialize in placing as many as I can this way. I specialize in all cats in my program being part of my family full time. I am not a cattery or a kennel. I am extremely proud of my selection of the Cats that enter my program. I am very careful in my selection for health and temperament How my cats are raised I believe how small and focused I am as well as how my exotic cats are raised in my home sets me apart from other Cat breeders that are raising them outdoors without as much close contact full time. this includes my stud cats who when needed wear stud pants to prohibit spraying but still allow them to use the litter box. I work around so they too can be full-time family.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel what has driven my success in the raising of exotic cats is the determination I have found within myself since my car accident. I have come through it and pushed forward and found a life passion and purpose despite what I am faced with day to day. What I do raising the Maine Coons, Highlander Lynx, and Hibernian Lynx exotic cats is also therapeutic for me and has helped me deal with my long-standing disabilities from the head-on car accident years ago that forever changed my life. The cats force me to daily think about and care for them keeping me moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.highlanderlynx-mainecoonexotics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakineshibainusexoticcats/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567297886646
- Other: https://www.mainecoonexoticcats.com
Image Credits:
Trish Schmorde
