I was raised out in Pennsylvania with cats, dogs, and horses; I have been in the company of animals for as long as I can remember. Whenever I’m away at school, I always miss everyone at home. My life at college is wonderful; I have great friends, and I’m really pretty happy here (when I’m not studying for an exam or spending a night in the Poly office). But something feels like it’s missing without a dog or a cat to come home to at the end of the day. There is nothing more relaxing than walking my dogs, Petey and Suki, at the end of a long day and just unwinding. I really wish that when I packed up to head to school, I could have at least taken one of my dogs in the car with me—if not both, then at least one. Don’t get me wrong: I’m very happy in my residence hall, but there is a part of me that feels incomplete.
Well, I’m now halfway through my sophomore year, and I have come to the conclusion that even if I can’t have my dogs with me, there is no reason why I can’t be around animals. I have been thinking about this for the past few weeks, and I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for students if they would get together and volunteer at a local animal shelter every now and then. It would really be a win-win situation; students could spend time in the company of animals, and animals truly in need of some tender love and care could have visitors. I have talked to a couple of friends, and I know a few people that would be interested. I’m wondering, Who else might be interested in getting involved? I’m in the process of trying to coordinate an effort.
I’m not sure which shelter would appreciate being invaded by a bunch of college kids, but I’m in the process of e-mailing several local organizations. If you are interested in helping me figure out how to make this work, please e-mail me at oconnb2@rpi.edu. The lives of animals in shelters are hard, and I’m really committed to figuring out how to help.
