Aniplant's Humane Heroes

Jeanette Ryder was a Wisconsin lady who married a doctor and moved to Cuba at the beginning of the twentieth century.  She was a compassionate woman who took pity on any suffering living being.  By 1906 she had formed the Banda de Piedad (band of pity or compassion), a group dedicated to alleviating the suffering of orphans homeless animals and accident victims.

She had the support of the government and with that and her own money and donations, the Banda de Piedad grew in importance in the Havana area and soon operated ambulances to pick up accident victims.  The group grew, and its good works made Havana a better place to live.  She died in 1931, but her charity lived on into the 1950's.

In 1957 The Cuban government issued commemorative stamps to honor Jeanette Ryder.  A 4 centavo stamp bearing the picture of a little boy and his dog and a 12 centavo stamp bearing the picture of Jeanette were printed side by side in sheets of 100 stamps, and arrangements were made with stamp collectors to mail a stamped envelope from Havana on the first of issue of the new stamps.  First day covers are coveted by collectors, and the envelopes often bear special markings having to do with the commemoration.

I can't recall how, but Charlene's computer work for TAP got her name on a stamp collector's website and linked her to an interest in Jeanette Ryder.  Since then we have been shown and acquired stamps, first day covers, the original postal order that established the commemorative issue, a pamphlet in Spanish and English giving historical information about Jeanette and Banda de Piedad, and even an original 10 x 10 stamp sheet of Ryder stamps.

A few years ago we decided that on behalf of Aniplant, TAP would produce The Jeanette Ryder Award to honor special people who have aided Aniplant in its humane work for animals.  The award is mounted in a picture frame displaying a pair of the stamps, a copy of the pamphlet, and a first day cover, along with plaques showing the name of the recipient.  The frame is fitted with glass on front and back so both sides of the pamphlet can be seen and read and so that all of the cancelations on both sides of the first day cover are visible.  Julie London, a Sarasota artist produced the awards.

The first Jeanette Ryder Award was given to Dr. Andrew Rowan, Chief International Officer of the Humane Society of the United States, and CEO of Humane Society International.  Dr. Rowan has been generous with his advice, support, and good wishes, and his Award was given to him on March 4, 2012, the date of the 25th anniversary of Aniplant's founding.

The second Jeanette Ryder Award was given in April, 2012 to Dr. Dick White, DVM of Dick White Referrals in England.  Dr. White has done charitable work for animals for many years, particularly in China and now in Cuba.  He has funded the establishment of a veterinary clinic in the Aniplant headquarters on Principe Street in Central Havana.  He is also conducting educational seminars for training Cuban vets.

Congratulations to both Dr. Rowan and Dr. White.  They surely deserve recognition as humane leaders in the vein of Jeanette Ryder, the Banda de Piedad, and of Aniplant itself.

Les Inglis