Meet Tess Crossen, our PAWS November Volunteer of the Month! Tess recently logged 1,500 hours to earn a feature on our blog and in our volunteer newsletter. We asked Tess to share a little about herself, and here's what she said
How long have you been at PAWS?
I have been slithering around PAWS in a couple different capacities since 2011. I started by adopting senior dogs to keep my little girl Marley feeling safe when I was not at home. We had Maggie, Pam, and Bluma. Maggie passed away during surgery, Pam decided that driving kitties to the point of madness was a great past-time, and Bluma wanted to eat Marley...Then along came Snoopy! He slept on the bed all day, woke up for breakfast & dinner, and snored. Marley was comforted. I started fostering during PAWS BINGO when I was talked into taking Lil' Buster's sister, Sugar. I have enjoyed fostering seniors since then. I worked walking dogs, then as a floor volunteer, and now I am honored to be an Adoption Counselor and manage the dog-side of our website. I love every minute of it! I am grateful that you all have let me stay!
What's your favorite thing about PAWS?
I love getting to know all of the dogs and advocating for them as an Adoption Counselor and writing the doggie bios. I feel that I am doing some good in the world when other things get me down. I have also made many friends here. So many competent and caring stewards for the animals teach me more every shift. I feel valuable because I can make stars of the animals. When I lost Marley and Snoopy this year, so many PAWS people were comforting and come from a place of deep understanding.
What's your favorite thing to do at PAWS?
I really enjoy talking with children about how to care for and behave with their new family member. I also get a kick out of "interviewing" dogs for their bios. I want to try to find that little spark that is in all of them that makes them the perfect dog for that special someone.
What are your favorite non-PAWS hobbies?
I enjoy reading, hiking (though I haven't gotten to it for a while), playing with my puppy Scarlett, and spending time with friends young and old. I adore my children & grandchildren and love visiting with them, spending time in their worlds.
Where are you from?
We moved all over the place when I was growing up, but I graduated High School outside of Pittsburgh. I came to Penn State to get my Bachelors degree and just never left. It has been a great place to raise my girls. They grew up with tremendous diversity and intellectual challenge. They are fine women now and I am so proud of the adults that they have become.
What's your favorite movie?
My favorite movie of all time is "Sophie's Choice." I also loved the experience of reading the book. I like touching films about animals and I really like mysteries and good historical fiction (Gore Vidal).