What a FUN week! So many young people flooded the Aiken County Animal Shelter this past week to learn more about our adoptable animals.
On Thursday, we had the Senior English Class from Horse Creek Academy visit with their arms full of donations! They sat with our longest resident dogs and then wrote about each and why they think they should be adopted.
“Do you want a calm and loving dog?” wrote student Weslyn Bernard. “Boone just might be what you’re looking for. He is a beautiful black and white boy…Boone absolutely loves scratches and cuddles. Boone loves to give hugs. He’s been here over 3 months and would really love a home.”
On Friday, we had over thirty students from Tall Pines Stem Academy come to the shelter for community service hours. Each student was required to serve our community for two hours. Those who chose our shelter were in different groups reading to dogs, cleaning and organizing the shelter, making toys, dog walking and some even took dogs to the park. We had so much fun!
Each student spent an hour at the shelter and then had the opportunity to earn an extra hour by writing about a shelter dog they met that day. We paired each student with a dog needing some attention. This program is called, “Be Their Voice.” We ask students to spend a few minutes talking with a dog, petting the dog, looking into their eyes and then write a little about why someone should adopt them. We got some great responses!
Student Gabby Whisnant was partnered with Tink. She took a pic with her phone and wrote the following about this wonderful dog: “Hi, my name is Tink. I am 51 pounds and great with kids. I need lots of attention because I get lonely. I have soft fur and love hugs and kisses. Please adopt me!”
Check out what Jimmie Baynham wrote, combining a selfie with the followig text: “I got assigned to Scotch, a newer dog at the shelter found as a stray. People see him as a big, obnoxious dog but he really is just a calm little puppy and gets excited to see people like a normal puppy would. Even if you got a puppy from a breeder, they would act the same way. Scotch is a tannish color and a very calm dog. I know some people don’t like big dogs, but he would be a perfect bigger dog…he is very aware of his size and overall is a great puppy. I know he hasn’t been at the shelter the longest, but he deserves a good home. He really is a great puppy so please someone adopt my bud, Scotch.”
We are so grateful for our educators in Aiken County that encourage young people to make a difference in our community.
During a period when our adoptions are slower than ever, the time these teens spent with the pets showed love, compassion and encouraged all of us that things will get better.
Their lives are in our hands.
By Kathy Cagle, FOTAS Programs Coordinator
