When did you start volunteering at PAWS?
I started volunteering in March 2017.
What jobs/roles have you performed at PAWS?
I primarily do dog care/walking on the Sunday morning shift. I also am occasionally involved with dog care mentoring/training for new volunteers and have also recently joined the Dog Behavioral Team. I was also a Pet Partner during the summer 2018.
What do you currently do as a volunteer?
I perform dog care duties on Sunday mornings and occasionally help out with dog care on other short-handed shifts. I also do mentoring/training for new volunteers and am more recently getting involved with dog meet & greets as part of the Dog Behavioral Team.
Why do you volunteer at PAWS?
I began volunteering in March 2017 after my niece, Hannah Flamme, started volunteering the previous September. Hannah is a pre-vet student at Penn State and when she is in school, we try to volunteer together on Sunday mornings. We both have always loved being around dogs and especially enjoy helping the dogs at PAWS together.
When you're not at PAWS, what do you like to do with your time?
I enjoy spending time with my husband, Dan and our two dogs, Callie & Beanie. I enjoy staying active by walking my dogs, doing yoga, bicycling, and working out. I also enjoy reading and gardening (but weeding, not-so-much).
What do you like best about being a PAWS volunteer? What do you find to be the most rewarding?
Being a dog lover all my life, it is really rewarding to get to know the dogs and then to see them find their forever homes. An added benefit is that being around dogs is very relaxing to me and a great way to manage stress.
If someone asked you why they should volunteer at PAWS, what answer would you give?
PAWS is a great organization with so many caring and like-minded animal volunteers! Volunteering at PAWS is a win-win… It’s a win for the animals because they’re getting great care from very compassionate volunteers and it’s a win for the volunteer as they are benefiting in a multitude of ways-physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s the best feeling to know you’re making a difference in the lives of these cats and dogs and I believe the animals really appreciate what we do for them!