Sometimes a kind heart leads people to take risks others would never consider. That was true for 64-year-old Jodi Proger, an Ohio grandmother who spent years rescuing injured wildlife. Her gentle nature made her well-known in her community, especially for the deer she lovingly rehabilitated.

But tragedy struck when Jodi was attacked inside a pen with a buck she was trying to calm and care for. Her son-in-law found her trapped with the aggressive animal and saw she had been badly hurt. He tried to reach her, but deputies ultimately had to put the deer down when they arrived.

Despite their efforts, Jodi’s injuries were too severe, and she died at the scene. Her daughter later shared that the deer had somehow escaped its enclosure earlier that day, and the family was unsure how the accident unfolded. She also explained that Jodi understood the risks but loved helping animals more than anything.

For more than a decade, Jodi had rehabilitated deer on the small farm she shared with her husband. Her work began in 2013 after rescuing a young fawn named Wheezer, who quickly became her constant companion. The family confirmed that Wheezer—fully domesticated and gentle—was not involved in her death.

Friends and neighbors remember Jodi as a devoted animal lover who always stepped in when creatures were in need. Her family hopes her legacy will inspire others to support local shelters and wildlife groups.

And as they grieve, they hold close the memory of a woman whose kindness shaped every part of her life.