Name:
Lydia Hankinson
Current foster:
Marshmallow
What do you do professionally//are you currently a student?
I work at Mount Nittany as an Emergency Department Technician as well as an autopsy assistant. I also volunteer at Centre Lifelink as an EMT.
How do you manage your schedule to allow fostering?
My roommate and I work together to take care of Marshie. Some days are crazier than others with our work schedules, but we do our best to make sure Marsh is not home alone for too long.
How long have you been fostering for PAWS/how many animals have you fostered for PAWS?
We have been fosters for a little over a year, and have fostered 6 dogs, I believe.
What kind of animals do you foster for PAWS?
Doggos
What's your favorite thing about fostering?
I love feeling like I am giving back to PAWS, where my family adopted our first dog as a kid, and also feeling like I am helping an animal in an unfortunate situation. I love being able to get these animals out of the stressful kennel environment and into a loving home. I also think it helps with getting these animals adopted because we fosters learn so much about them.
What is the most challenging part of fostering?
The most challenging part is adjusting to new dogs, and then saying goodbye to them once they're adopted. When they first come into your home it is a lot of trial and error figuring out their habits and what they can be trusted with. Over time, you grow to love each one of them and then they are taken away. It is fulfilling seeing them go into a loving forever home, but sad to them come home to a dogless house.
The most common thing our fosters are told is, “I’d never be able to let them go.” So, can you tell people why you do it and how you let them go?
Our job as a foster is to learn about the animals to help them get adopted as well as show them love and get them out of the kennel. It is hard to let them go, but when you get to see the loving families that take them, you know you helped get them to that point. It is very fulfilling knowing that you made an impact on that animal's life, even if it was just for a short time.
What are your favorite non-PAWS hobbies?
I do not have much time for hobbies, but I love spending time with my friends and family.
What do you like to do outside of fostering?
I love my various jobs. I help people every day through my jobs and it is fulfilling to be able to see people get better because of something you did.
What is one thing you wish more people know about fostering or animal rescue in general?
That you have some freedom of choice in the fostering system. PAWS doesn't just through any dog at you and expect you to keep them if you can't handle it. It is all about helping an animal and you only take on what you can handle. I love working with PAWS and knowing that everyone involved is doing this to help an animal in need.