Out in the Boondocs…
I am Dr. Kelleyerin Clabaugh. I am a Boon Doc - a large animal veterinarian working out in the country.
But I am not just a veterinarian. I am an artist, a storyteller, an educator and a lover of bright colors and unique creatures.
I have always loved children’s books, collecting them from everywhere I travel. I appreciate the simplicity of an allegory to relay meaningful life lessons in a vibrant, fun, visually stimulating manner. Whether the reader is young or old, a well written children’s book is powerful.
I am fortunate to live an exciting life and have a career I love. Through my profession, I get to meet amazing creatures to use in my stories. As an artist I share my stories in a humorous, colorful way, while educating readers about interesting animals and important life lessons.
I have always been a bit different and many times throughout my life I have felt isolated and alone by my uniqueness. Feeling different from your peers can be alienating. In each of my stories, the characters learn to appreciate their uniqueness. It takes good friends, good mentors and positive reinforcement for young readers to learn that their differences make them beautiful and special. I hope my stories encourage that self-awareness and gratitude.
Protecting and caring for animals is my calling in life. Each of my books contain a “Did You Know?” section to educate readers about the animals in the stories and increase awareness about real-life concerns impacting the species. I donate a portion of the profits from the sale of my books to various non-profit organizations dedicated to protecting and promoting the animals in my stories.
Click HERE for more information about partnering Non-Profits.
I have always loved Hippos!
This is Emma (aka Harriette) from the Toledo Zoo in Ohio. I externed at the zoo during veterinary school, working with the zoo staff and field researchers to develop a comfortable, durable, waterproof GPS collar for the hippopotamus. These collars would allow tracking of the animals to gather data on social behavior and range to help understand the hippo’s role in river delta ecology.
In Zambia while volunteering with the Zambian Carnivore Program, I spent my evenings on the banks of the South Luangwa River, photographing and sketching hippopotamus for my books. Have you ever heard a hippo “laugh”? I recorded this audio one evening in Zambia.
My first car was a 1959 VW bug named “Pete”.
Pete wasn’t particularly reliable but he sure was cute and fun to drive!
Pete inspired the Zoom to the Zoo story where the Beetle learns that bugs aren’t gross, they are incredible!
My current classic car (a 1972 Volvo p1800es named “Franklynn”) makes a cameo appearance in the story.
I have been diving for almost 30 years all over the world.
Living in Hawaii, I get to dive with Honu (sea turtles), He’e (octopus), tiger shark, spinner dolphins and Humpback whales. The octopus is so unique it had to be the main character of one of my books.
While diving in the kelp forests of the Channel Islands off California, I was inspired to write “the Tale of Tako Twosday”. After visiting the Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute, I knew I wanted to write a book about marine conservation with an octopus as the main character.
Riding my favorite mare “Phena the Pa’u Pony” in the 60th annual Merrie Monarch Parade was an incredible honor.
Pa’u riding in Hawai’i is a gorgeous tradition honoring the Hawaiian Wahine (women) equestrians of the early 19th century. Phena and I were chosen to represent the island of Kauai in 2023.
I got Phena when she was severely injured at the racetrack. I never thought she would be rideable, but after two years of rehab, we were trail riding and learning to jump. She has been the most willing partner, taking me on so many adventures and proving that the Thoroughbred is the most versatile breed with incredible heart.
As a Mainlander who has made Hawai’i my home, I wanted to use Phena to show how being accepted as an outsider is up to you and your attitude.
Ka Hui Lio Lani
Pa’u is a beautiful representation of the history of Hawai’i on horseback.
Horses were introduced to the Hawaiian islands in the early 1800s. Unlike most of the Western world, Hawaiian women (wahine) rode astride like their male counterparts.
To protect their gowns, the wahine would drape themselves in long colorful silk skirts (pa’u), allowing them to ride with dignity and modesty over the rough terrain of Hawai’i.
As cars replaced horses as transportation, the functional Pa’u skirt developed into a form of pageantry.
Modern day Pa’u riders honor their cultural traditions and showcase their horsemanship and lei making skills while bringing vibrancy and beauty to parades.
