For the Service Project this semester, I worked alongside a group in need of volunteers in my hometown. This group takes in stray animals and sterilizes them so they may be released into the wild and not lead to further overpopulation. I was originally introduced to our SNAP (Spay and Neuter Assistance Program) director, Chris Cozza when I had to complete a senior seminar project during high school.
The program addressed awareness of the issue and the application as they collected donations to provide services for low-income families with pets. While I cannot provide financial means to fund surgeries, I can continue spreading awareness through spoken word or by spreading the pamphlets I created with the assistance of Chris Cozza. I had expected working with this program to be very demanding physically, intellectually, and emotional. It was all of those things but was still very rewarding. Seeing people being grateful for the help, or seeing fewer strays on the streets knowing that you played a role in that.
During my experience I learned so much about how nonprofit organizations are built to prosper and a lot about the actual sterilization procedures as I was there through every step of the process. If I were to redo this experience I would only spend more time with the project. The people working for the program and the people who have been helped have been wildly responsive and grateful for the program. We hope with each person who comes into the program, they will help spread awareness to some that we may not be able to reach or that are not as receptive. I also learned that men are most often less likely to agree to sterilize male pets as though they feel an attachment. This is a stigma the program often tries to break.
Some of the most difficult parts of participating in the program were handling human clients. Animals are unable to speak and can usually be pleased with a treat and a belly rub. Humans are complex beings with complex emotions, especially when you as an outsider are recommending surgical procedures on a member of their family- their pets. This was all worthwhile when the animals were returned back to their owner as healthy and as happy as possible and the owner was not grieving over a large financial debt.
As did my career experience, this solidified my path in life. I want to be the one to look at animals and know how to help them in almost every situation imaginable. Although it is the downfall of the job, I want to be the one to be there for the emotional demands of each client to help them through.
So to continue spreading awareness and helping out groups all around the country and the world like this one, please get your pets spayed and neutered! If paying for the procedure is a problem, reach out to a local veterinarian or a humane society for assistance. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
“There is no magic wand that can resolve our problems. The solution rests with our work and discipline.”- Jose Eduardo Dos Santos