guidingeyes.org / Patterson, NY
Guiding Eyes for the Blind provides guide dogs to people with vision loss and are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence.
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I started out volunteering for the Home Socialization program at Guiding Eyes, where I bring home two, 6-week-old puppies for 3-4 days and expose them to everyday life, sounds and activities with the intention of desensitizing them to the many stimuli around them. I then bring them back to the facility where they will be avaluated before being sent out again for more exposure therapy.
Another program I participate in is Guiding Eyes for the Blind's Home Litter Care. In this program, I bring home a brood mom and her newborn 1-week-old litter and care for them all for five weeks. This care includes tending to the brood and her daily needs as well as her healing body needs (medications, gentle exercise, feeding, grooming, nail clipping, ear cleaning, breast evaluation to avoid mastitis, vaginal checks, temperature taking when needed). The care for the puppies includes providing daily massage, medication, exercise, training, feeding, grooming, eyes and ears check, temperature taking when needed and making sure their area is kept warm. Daily training in many areas was also necessary and included crate training, harness training, stair training, "sit" and "down" training, "follow me" training. In addition to all of the above, there was an immense amount of cleaning that has to happen throughout the day, every day.
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While caring for these pups is a lot of work, helping out Guiding Eyes for the Blind and being a part of the dogs' training process is exciting. To know they are potentially going to provide an invaluable service to a person in need, makes it even more rewarding.
13handsequine.org / Clinton Corners, NY
13 Hands Equine Rescue rescues unwanted, abused and abandoned horses and rehabilitate them in order to find them the perfect ‘forever home’. 13 Hands partners with some of our rescue horses to assist in our Equine Therapy program helping veterans and others who suffer from PTSD, anxiety, depression and many other issues.
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I assist the barn manager with daily tasks and care of the 200+ horses, donkeys, mini horses, mules, goats, chickens, dogs, rabbits and even three zebras. Care includes administering medications as needed, feeding, grooming, cleaning the stalls, and many other tasks.
adopt-a-dog.org / snarrnortheast.org
Armonk, NY / Brewster, NY
Adopt A Dog's mission is to save, secure, socialize, and find loving homes for the most vulnerable, unwanted, and abandoned dogs.
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S.N.A.R.R.'s mission is to save the toughest dogs to place; those with serious medical conditions, paralyzed dogs, deaf and blind dogs, severely emaciated dogs, dogs with neurological deficits & disease, dogs with injuries and orthopedic issues… the animals that nobody else wants; the dogs that would otherwise be euthanized.
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I foster puppies as well as older dogs in need of homes. This includes providing care for, feeding, training, grooming, exercising and medicating as needed, while providing a safe and calm space to lessen the fear and anxiety these homeless dogs experience while their world has been turned upside down.
armonkoutdoorartshow.org / Armonk, NY
The Armonk Outdoor Art Show benefits the Friends of the North Castle Public Library, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Every year, Art Show net proceeds support the North Castle Public Library, funding educational and entertainment programs for all ages, furnishings and upgrades in our libraries, and The Armonk Players theater group.
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I have had multiple pieces of my artwork displayed in the 2023 and 2024 Armonk Outdoor Art Shows.
The Armonk Frosty Parade is the only holiday-themed parade in the area and all activities are free to the public. Almost every business, shop and merchant in Armonk contributes to the joy of Frosty Day. The Frosty Day fun-filled family activities run all day in downtown Armonk with the annual Frosty Parade scheduled for later in the afternoon. The parade is followed by the annual holiday lighting ceremony and sing-a-long at the gazebo in Wampus Brook Park.
Having grown up in the hometown of Frosty the Snowman, and attending the parade as a small child, I am always excited to volunteer with the Armonk Frosty members year after year. There is a lot of work to be done from setting up of the event, to selling merchandise throughout the day, followed by breakdown and cleanup at the end of the day.
kingswoodcampsite.org / Hancock, NY
Kingswood is a 766 acre site nestled in the Catskill Mountains in Hancock, New York. Huge forests, open fields, stunning views, and rolling hills create a breathtaking backdrop for an unforgettable adventure. This setting provides opportunities for community: strengthening of families, giving back through volunteering, nurturing of friendships, renewing of spirit, and growing in respect for God’s Creations.
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My Grandmother and Grandfather were camp counselors at Kingswood when they were in their 20s, so volunteering there has been a part of my family for over 50 years. Each year, a group of 40+ volunteers gather to get camp ready for the season. This includes installing the 15, 14'x16' canvas tents on wooden platforms, placing six heavy wooden bunks and mattresses in each tent, stocking the fully equipped kitchens in each site, preparing the firepits for cooking, clearing the hiking trails, installing the swim lines and docks, tying out the row boats and canoes, and hanging the life vests, and mowing... lots and lots of mowing... and then at the end of the summer, we do it all again, in reverse, except for the mowing.
