“Art must be an expression of love or it is nothing.” - Marc Chagall
Richmond SPCA Green Team volunteer Susan Kernyat engages smell-driven Percy in a game of “find the treat.” He presses his nose to the ground and searches the Richmond SPCA’s outdoor play pen for hidden treats. “He would be a handsome dog to paint!” says Susan as Percy begins to take interest in the sights and sounds of the other dogs being walked behind the humane center.
Susan’s is a well-known face around the Richmond SPCA. As a dedicated Green Team volunteer, she spends a large amount of her time providing training and mental stimulation to the dogs in our care. She is also the resident Richmond SPCA artist who has painted more than 25 oil portraits of Richmond SPCA dogs for their adopters.
The special gesture has been well received by adopters and has also meant a lot to staff. Senior Behavior & Training Specialist Jackie Laubacher hangs the completed paintings outside her office until the dog finds an adopter to claim them. Her paintings capture each dog’s twinkle of personality, and it all started because one of her trainees really captured her eye.
“There was a dog here named Wren who was just the sweetest thing, and I really had a connection with her. And one day I just thought, ‘I wish I could paint her,’” said Susan. “So, I did a little painting of her and gave it to Carly Sgueo (Director of Sheltering Operations) and said, ‘If she gets adopted, can you please give this to her adopter?’” Wren did get adopted, and Carly shared with Susan how much Wren’s new family loved the painting, inspiring Susan to paint more.
Susan has always loved animals. Growing up her family always had dogs, cats, horses and other farm animals. However, dog training didn’t come into her life until she adopted her first dog and did therapy training with Caring Canines.
From there, she joined a Richmond SPCA tricks class and soon her interest in positive reinforcement training grew from taking classes with her own dog to putting that knowledge to work with homeless animals as a part of the Green Team. After completing Canine University at the Richmond SPCA, Green Team volunteers take on additional responsibilities, working with dogs who are in need of better manners, socialization or special enrichment. These volunteers teach our dogs the skills that will help them succeed when adopted to a home.
Susan has developed relationships with many of the dogs that have come through our shelter and has made the effort to capture their personalities through her art. Though she admits it is difficult when they are adopted, she hopes that the training and enrichment that they receive continues to benefit them in their future homes.
“We have such a great group of Green Team volunteers, and we all care so much for the animals,” Susan said. She and the other volunteers especially enjoy getting updates about how well the dogs they’ve worked with are doing in their new homes. “It is so great to hear because the trainers and Green Team members put so much effort to make these dogs the best they can be.”
Comments