Berkis has been a New Yorker and an animal lover her whole life. She currently lives in Washington Heights (shout out the Heights!) and she works as a caregiver. In her free time she loves helping out with sweet little fur-babies and catching up on current events.

Hi Berkis! Can you start by telling us how long you’ve volunteered with PAWS NY?

I’ve been volunteering with PAWS for about 8 months now.

What made you originally want to volunteer with our organization?

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Khadeja signed up to become a PAWS NY volunteer in May 2022, after reading about PAWS NY in an article about loneliness during the pandemic. She loves animals, but can’t have any in her apartment, and she has been volunteering with the organization since that time.

“I’ve always loved caring for animals, and I knew PAWS NY would be a great place to volunteer, where I could contribute to the community and their furry friends,” Khadeja said. “There are many resources to assist the elderly, but there aren’t many that will tend to their pets also. Pets are great companions, and it is important that they are cared for just the same.”

As a volunteer, Khadeja helps care for two cats named Barnum and Bailey, as well as a Rat Terrier named Bruno. She’ll take Bruno out for walks along the Hudson River and help clean and refill the litterbox for the two cats.

“I remember my first day volunteering with PAWS; I was both excited and nervous,” Khadeja said. “I remember vividly how excited Bruno was on our first day meeting each other: his tail was wagging, and he jumped up to meet me. Immediately all my nerves went away, and I knew it was a great match!”

Plus, she added, it’s been a great experience to get to know the human clients as well. Bruno and his guardian John are always so welcoming when she picks up Bruno for his walks. And after cleaning the litterbox for Barnum and Bailey, “I have fun chats with Carol while we watch the kitties chase each other.”

Khadeja has enjoyed seeing PAWS NY continue to grow and change as we emerged from the pandemic and one of her favorite memories was the Volunteer Holiday Party in December 2022—the first time we hosted something in person since 2019.

“All the volunteers got together and made gift baggies for our clients and their pets. It was an amazing night filled with fun and laughter,” she said. “What was also special about that night was the commitment we had to curating the perfect gifts to bring some joy to our clients.”

Thanks to Khadeja for her commitment as a PAWS NY volunteer and for bringing joy to Bruno and John, and Barnum, Bailey, and Carol each week!

Khadeja’s Volunteer Spotlight was included in the PAWS NY Annual Report for FY 2023. Click here to download the read the full Annual Report [PDF].

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Sadly, two longtime clients of PAWS NY passed away recently, and we are looking for a new home for their sweet pets: Gigi and Baby Boy. Are you interested in adopting either of them? 

Sweet Gigi is a senior Shepherd Mix who is super friendly and smart. She loves to be around people and is good with other dogs, and she needs some extra love as she lives out her golden years.

As a senior pup, Gigi deals with joint pain and is on a few daily medications. She doesn’t do well with stairs, so a home without steep steps would be ideal. We’re also hoping her fur-ever home will be with someone patient and strong, who can give her an occasional boost on her walks. 

Update as of December 20, 2023: Baby Boy has been adopted!

Handsome Baby Boy is also looking for a new home. A neutered, mellow senior cat who loves attention, Baby Boy hasn’t lived with other pets, but would likely be fine with other calm and friendly pets in the home. He is healthy and would make a wonderful, low-maintenance animal companion.

If you are interested in adopting either of these pets, please click here to download and complete our Adoption Application and email it to Liz.Raganella@pawsny.org. We’re hoping to find them fur-ever homes in the NYC area.

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“Having a pet means that someone needs you and you have a responsibility to show up for them,” Carrie said in the article. “This provides purpose, as well as schedule and structure to one’s life. In addition, being active naturally reduces stress.”

Among other topics, Carrie shared her “Five Ways To Maximize the Mental Health Benefits of Having a Pet” in the interview. Check them out:

1. Prepare: Make sure you are choosing the right pet and that you have plans in place for unforeseen events.

2. Be Present: Put aside time to spend with your pet where you are not distracted, and you can both enjoy each other’s company.

3. Pay Attention: Notice when you or your pet might need extra support and take action to visit with your own therapist or set up a veterinary appointment as needed.

4. Do New Things: Join a cat lovers group, or make a point to get to know the other folks walking dogs in your neighborhood. It will stretch you outside your comfort zone and gives you the added benefit of a larger community network.

5. Educate Yourself: Learning basic animal behavior will help you and your pet develop an even closer bond. You will be able to more fully understand how they communicate with you in many small ways all the time.

Click here to read the full interview with Carrie in Authority Magazine!

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Kathryn

“I think we all need that sense of companionship and it’s really beautiful that we can help people keep that. New York City can be a lonely place and being able to have your cat or dog—or guinea pig—is incredible.”

 

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Samuel:

“I had just lost my dog and we missed her so much. We weren’t ready to get another dog. This organization is such a great way to help people, help dogs, and help me spend more time with dogs.”

 

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Heather:

“It’s the relationship. It’s the relationship that you form with the client. The relationship you form with the pet. And really knowing that the work we’re doing at PAWS is keeping them together.”

 

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Kelly:

“Bella is just the sweetest, smartest, best dog ever. I walk her one hour at a time and the hour goes by so fast.”

 

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Diana:

“I love Laura! We met and we had an instant connection. Laura and I now see each other most days. She helps me; she’s going to teach me embroidery. I lost my mother a few years ago and I value Laura so much. She fills a void in my life. Now they are really part of my family.”

 

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A strong human-animal bond means that dogs and cats are well cared for. In fact, up to 85% of pet guardians consider their animal companions to be a member of the family. That translates to better care and increased spending on their health and well-being. In 2022, Americans spent a whopping $136.8 billion on their animal companions! They spent the money providing the best food, accommodations, and medical care.

Click here to read the full blog post on Animal Wellness!

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Therefore, there is no better time to review all the psychological benefits of pet guardianship. According to the World Health Organization, “1 in every 8 people, or 970 million people around the world” live with a mental health disorder. Anxiety and Depressive disorders are the most common, encompassing a broad range of negative emotions including sadness, distress, or fear. A growing body of evidence suggests that the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) can reduce many symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Specifically, research has indicated that pet guardianship and the Human-Animal Bond (HAB) produces the following results:

• improvement of social attention, behavior, interpersonal interaction, and mood
• reduction of stress-related parameters such as cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure
• reduction of fear and anxiety
• improvement of physical health, especially cardiovascular health
• increased trustworthiness of and trust toward other persons
• reduction in aggressive behavior
• enhanced levels of empathy towards others

At PAWS NY, our mission is to keep people and pets together, and protect the human-animal bond that is so psychologically and physically beneficial. And we see the impact of this every day.

“My dog is basically my savior in life,” said a PAWS NY client. “He brings me more joy and stability than anything else in the world.”

In honor of World Mental Health Day, take some time to snuggle your furry friends and enjoy the emotional and mental health benefits of your bond.

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It’s imperative to include pets in your emergency plans. Visit the website for the NYC Office of Emergency Management or the American Red Cross to find resources regarding preparing for all types of emergencies.

In case of an emergency evacuation, your pet should have a designated bag (aka a “Go Bag”), ready at all times. Make sure to fill the bag with water, pet food, medications, an extra collar and/or leash, veterinary records including vaccinations, and a blanket or small bed. Having a way to transport a pet, like a carrier or crate, is also recommended. The ASPCA has more details, including a list of what to include in your pet’s Go Bag. Do not leave your pet behind.

In the event that NYC’s emergency shelters are open, pets are allowed on public transportation and at city evacuation centers. If your pet ever gets lost, visit Animal Care & Control of New York City.

In addition to natural or human-induced disasters, it is vital to have a plan for your pet in the case that you are faced with an unexpected health emergency and have to be hospitalized. To create a plan, we recommend the following steps:

• Identify a trusted caregiver for your pet. When exploring caregiving options, consider friends, family, building staff, and/or neighbors.
• Discuss with them how to care for your pet, including where you keep your pets’ Go Bag and all special instructions regarding your pets’ behavior, medical status, and more.
• Ensure that your chosen caregiver has a means of accessing your home (ie a set of keys).
• Carry a wallet card with pet caregiver’s name and contact information.

If your designated caregiver is not available and you are facing a hospitalization, PAWS NY may be able to help through our Emergency and Foster Program. If eligible, a foster volunteer through PAWS NY can help by opening their home and caring for your pet temporarily while you recover. Contact us at referrals@pawsny.org or (212) 203-4760.

Later this month, the NYC Office of Emergency Management will be hosting a Pet Preparedness Fair on Thursday, September 28, from 11:00am to 2:00pm at Union Square Park North Plaza. PAWS NY will be there, so stop by to learn more!

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Carrie Nydick Finch, the Deputy Director of Programs and Strategy at PAWS NY, contributed to an article about how pets can positively impact your health.

“What’s one of the strongest prescriptions for better health? According to decades of scientific research, it may be owning a pet. There is a wide range of proven health benefits,” she included in the piece. But it’s important to remember, “a relationship with an animal companion is a relationship: Take the time to develop it. Spend time with your companion every day. Take your dog for a walk; play games with your cat. This will build a strong bond and provide the best health for you and your friend.”

Read the full article in Bottom Line Health here.

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The program provides Foster and Emergency Care services to New Yorkers who are hospitalized and don’t have anyone to help care for their pets. Additionally, the program will support older adults and other vulnerable populations by helping them prepare for emergencies with their pets.

Earlier this year, All for Animals TV produced a segment all about the Preserving Families in Times of Crisis Program, discussing what happens in the event of an emergency, as well as the emergency pre-planning that is so important.

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