In 2008, Monroe resident Jeff Guidry emailed a friend and told her the story of how, through his volunteer work at Sarvey Wildlife Care Center, he rehabilitated an eagle named Freedom with two broken wings, and nursed her back to health at exceptionally long odds. Though Freedom would never fly, Jeff became her closest friend, and in many ways, her wings. A few years later, Jeff was diagnosed with a serious illness and it was his bond with Freedom that saw him through.

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The Circle of Healing

Jeff told his story in an email of less than 800 words. After his friend forwarded it to others, and they did in turn, Jeff's story became an Internet sensation and swept around the world. Jeff, who could never have imagined the power of a simple email, received over 10,000 emails before losing count. And now, in his new book, An Eagle Named Freedom, Jeff shares the full story of how Freedom and Sarvey Wildlife Care Center saved his life. Here is Jeff's story in his own words.