"Rescuing turtles has helped me break out of my shell!"

Growing up near the ocean, Debbie Philp always loved marine life. That fascination stayed with her as she built a career as an accountant and later taught yoga.

- Diane Nichols

Then one day, during a meditation session, the image of a dancing turtle flashed into her mind—and lit a spark in her heart that led to her true calling: saving and rehabilitating turtles

Debbie Philp’s lips curled into a smile as she checked on one of her favorite patients at the turtle sanctuary she runs in Schroon Lake, New York. Crystal, a painted turtle, had been hit by a car and suffered head trauma and a cracked shell, but now she walked around, exploring her enclosure, healed and thriving. I was so scared you wouldn’t make it, but look at you now! Debbie’s heart rejoiced.

Having grown up next to the ocean on the south shore of Long Island, Debbie had dreamed of becoming a marine biologist. But life took her in different directions. She worked as an accountant for 20 years, then opened a yoga studio. Then, in 2014, a friend led a special meditation class at Debbie’s yoga studio, in which participants were guided to tap into their inner spirit. During the session, Debbie envisioned a turtle dancing before her eyes. The image made her smile, and it inspired her to adopt a red-eared slider turtle.

As she cared for and bonded with the little guy, Debbie’s childhood desire to help marine life began to once again pull on her heart.

I want to help protect and heal turtles and make a real difference, her inner voice echoed.

A saving sanctuary