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Whether they are budding journalists, aspiring veterinarians or future animal welfare professionals, we find that students often wish to make companion animals the focus of a school assignment. Staff members at the Richmond SPCA are contacted by students in elementary school, by doctoral candidates and at every level of education in between. We strive to nurture students’ interest in animal welfare and accommodate as many of these requests each semester as possible.
Many of the students who select topics relating to the Richmond SPCA have first encountered our organization’s work through either a field trip to our Robins-Starr Humane Center or a presentation given by our staff in their classrooms. In the last 12 months, our Humane Education department has given 147 tours and classroom visits. Others have participated in a program or event and want to dig deeper when an assignment gives the opportunity.
Such was the case for Emily Kinsey. She first became involved with the Richmond SPCA as the captain of the “Princesses for Pets” team at our annual Dog Jog and 5K Run in 2008. Emily has participated in numerous pageants, always with animal welfare as her platform. She is now 11 years old and completing the 5th grade at Springfield Park Elementary in Glen Allen, Va. Earlier this year, Emily’s teacher, Mrs. Nowicki, assigned her students the task of selecting a community leader they admired. Emily chose to interview Richmond SPCA Chief Executive Officer Robin Robertson Starr. Emily’s thoughtful questions and Robin’s answers are insightful, and we hope you’ll enjoy watching Emily’s resulting video. We hear she got an A!
Although the school year is coming to a close, opportunities for students to learn compassion for all creatures, get a preview of animal-related careers and put reward-based training theories into practice abound as part of our full slate of summer programming at the Robins-Starr Humane Center. Our weeklong day camp programs are incredibly popular and there are only a few spots remaining. Learn more and register your child at www.richmondspca.org/camp.
Tabitha Frizzell Hanes is the director of advancement for the Richmond SPCA. To read her biography or that of our other bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
When your child learns to read, building confidence is often an obstacle that he or she must work to overcome. The PAWS to R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assistance Dogs®) program offers children an opportunity to read to a registered, insured therapy dog (and the dog's handler) at our Robins-Starr Humane Center. Reading to a dog allows your child to build confidence as she’s learning because reading to a dog provides an experience that is always positive and free of judgment. Plus, dogs love all kinds of books!
Our dog and handler team varies from month to
month. Bernard, a Richmond SPCA alumnus, will serve as the therapy dog for the
PAWS to R.E.A.D. program this month. He was adopted in July 2008. Bernard used
to be a shy pup, but his experience being a "listener" at Ginter Park
Elementary School helped his personality blossom. He is proof that what you give, you receive. PAWS to R.E.A.D. can be a win-win situation for dogs as well as children!
PAWS to R.E.A.D. is a joint program of the Richmond SPCA and Sprite’s HERO, a volunteer humane education and research organization. Sessions are held on the third Sunday of every month from 2-3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of our humane center. All ages of readers are welcome to participate. To sign up for a 25-minute reading session call Gail Bird Necklace, our Education and Training Administrator, (804) 521-1332. You are welcome to bring a favorite title or choose from the wide selection of books in the Richmond SPCA's Exploratorium.
Kids from all around the Richmond area have been making a big difference at the Richmond SPCA. We have seen cases of great generosity as children who schedule their birthday parties at the Richmond SPCA request that their guests bring donations in lieu of gifts. Girl Scout and Boy Scout troops have been bringing in food and toys when they visit our facility for educational presentations and tours. It is truly inspiring to see the compassion that so many children carry in their hearts.
Recently we have had several very generous donations made by kids in our community. While we appreciate every single donation that comes through our doors each day, I would like to take a moment to share with you several of our recent generous donations.
Guardian Christian Academy
Guardian Christian Academy chose the Richmond SPCA to be the recipient of their monthly collection in January. Students, parents, and friends brought bags of dry dog and cat food to the school throughout the month. On Tuesday, February 12, representatives from the school brought their collections to our building. They were given an educational presentation about the Richmond SPCA as well as the opportunity to visit with all of the dogs and cats that were available for adoption at that time. During their tour, I had the chance to tally the donations that their group had delivered. Guardian Christian Academy collected 246 pounds of dog food and 115 pound of cat food, adding up to a grand total of 361 pounds of food. All of these donations were given to the Richmond SPCA’s Pet Pantry. Thanks to the generous students at Guardian Christian Academy we were able to provide dog and cat food to families in the Richmond area that would have otherwise been unable to feed their beloved family pets.
Collegiate Freshman Service Week
Six students from Collegiate recently spent 5 days at the Richmond SPCA volunteering. In lieu of attending class, these freshmen spent their time cleaning kennels, walking dogs, distributing medications, assisting our dog trainers, and even visiting local radio and television when our pets were being featured. At the Richmond SPCA we are always in need of donations, whether those donations are money, food, toys or other items. Time is also a wonderful way to make a difference in the lives of homeless pets. Each of these six students donated 26 hours of their time to us. This was certainly an invaluable donation and a demonstration of how kids are helping throughout our community.
Glen Allen Elementary School
Similarly, Glen Allen Elementary School held a donation drive for the Richmond SPCA. They collected various types of dog and cat food, toys, blankets, treats, and other miscellaneous items that are always needed at our humane center. A staff member of the school (as well as the proud mother of one of Student Council Association’s members) contacted me and asked if I would be able to bring in a dog or cat to visit with the children who donated. I agreed and on February 26 I took my dog, Lily, to visit the school. A total of 201 students brought in donations for the Richmond SPCA. Each donor had the opportunity to hear a little about the Richmond SPCA and ask questions all while meeting Lily and giving her lots of love. Not only did these 201 elementary school students donate items for our organization, but they also gave up a portion of their lunch time and recess to come and meet me, Lily, and learn about the Richmond SPCA. This was a group of truly amazing kids. I have the chance to meet generous and thoughtful kids every single day, but the students at Glen Allen Elementary School overwhelmed me with their compassion and concern for animals. They donated approximately 800 pounds of dog and cat food in addition to boxes of toys and other items.
I want to reiterate the fact that all of these donations are not only being used to care for the animals currently residing at the Richmond SPCA as they await adoption, but all of the food is being given to families and individuals in our community via our Pet Pantry so that they can continue to keep their own cats and dogs during times of financial hardship. When you give to the Richmond SPCA, you truly are giving back to entire community. Do you have the same heart for animals as these wonderful children? Visit www.richmondspca.org/donate to make a secure online donation. Our thanks and appreciation goes out to every single child that has so generously given to the Richmond SPCA over the years. Since October 2012, children have donated nearly 2,000 pounds of food to the Richmond SPCA.
Kari Roth is the coordinator of humane education at the Richmond SPCA. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
As a college student, I'm seeing more and more young people taking on the responsibility of a dog or a cat in their homes or housing. I am currently living in a duplex near the campus of Randolph Macon College and, sadly, we are not allowed to have pets. If I were, I would at least want to foster, if not adopt, a pet. After just spending a couple of weeks as an intern here at the Richmond SPCA, I can see past the stereotype of breed restrictions enforced by some apartment complexes and recognize that many of these animals would make great companions.
Within many apartment communities there are different breed restrictions, which creates a challenge when trying to unite an animal with a home, and just as importantly, keep the animal in that home. Pet restrictions can force animal guardians to make difficult decisions, such as parting ways with their beloved furry friend. Luckily, there are many pet friendly options in the Richmond area, and the Richmond SPCA has a tool that can help you find the right space for you and your pet.
The Pet Friendly Housing Guide is a great tool to use if you are searching for a new residence for you and your furry companion. This tool will also help to avoid having to surrender that pet, or adopting only based on breed. I'm currently in the process of updating our pet friendly housing guide. While I've noticed that there are fewer restrictions now, it can often be a struggle for pet owners who wish to carry out the committment they've made to care for a four-legged companion. Certain apartment communities such as Tobacco Row and Fulton Hill attempt to motivate pet guardians to move into their communities with more inclusive policies. Tobacco Row’s policy now includes dogs weighing up to 100 lbs. Beginning with last year’s Bark the Block Party, a benefit for the Richmond SPCA, the community has also waived the pet deposit for any cat or dog adopted from the Richmond SPCA.
Fulton Hill has an equally progressive policy at their Lava Lofts property in Church Hill, according to marketing manager Nicole Walters who explains that each dog is considered as an individual, regardless of type or breed. Potential canine residents that are typically in the “restricted” list are evaluated in a one-on-one meeting to determine suitability for the Lava Lofts community. Walters has seen first-hand the difficulties pet guardians can have finding acceptance for their companions. “This policy just allows us to not turn that person away based on the pet that stole their heart,” Walters said.
If you’d like more information about these pet friendly communities, please research your options in the Pet Friendly Housing Guide so that your furry family friend can accompany you to a new, happy home.
Macon Heikes was a communications intern at the Richmond SPCA this January. To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
Here's a story that will warm your heart this February morning. We just learned that Fox Elementary School did a Valentine's Day campaign to adorn the lawn of the school with hearts. The kids decorated the hearts with things that they love. One of the parents (and a Richmond SPCA adoper!) called us this morning to let us know that many of the children had written that they love animals and the Richmond SPCA. That parent was kind enough to take some photos and send them to us so that our hearts could be as warmed as hers was. We are so thankful for the love these boys and girls show for our four-legged companions and for the Richmond SPCA. Homeless pets in Richmond have great friends at Fox Elementary School, and for that we are most grateful this Valentine's Day.
To read the biographies of our regular bloggers, please click here. Before posting a comment, please review our comment guidelines. Please note that our comment policy requires a first and last name to be used as your screen name.
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