In 2018, I joined the Animal Ambulance region ‘s-Hertogenbosch as a volunteer. I was looking for a way to spend more time outdoors and to immerse myself in unpredictable situations. We help wild and domesticated animals in distress, such as rabbits, owls, hedgehogs and cats. Our work places us at the intersection of human and animal worlds. Cases often reveal broader issues, such as human impact on nature, pet neglect, loneliness, malfunctioning relationships, and ecological phenomena like draught or disease.

Paradoxically, our interventions get animals out of their natural habitats, placing them in strange settings where they don’t belong. These situations prompt an ongoing question: are we helping them, or are we merely adding stress to their lives? This shows a painful discrepancy.

By photographing, I examine these contradictions, capturing our caring efforts and at the same time highlighting the question of helping or hurting.