When Tim first started volunteering with Richard and Bella in July of 2019, Bella was very protective of her guardian and would only walk as far as the end of the block during his weekly visits. But Tim stayed consistent—and got advice from Bella’s other volunteers—and eventually she opened up and they started taking longer and longer walks together in the park. Now both she and Richard rely on Tim—and their team of dedicated PAWS volunteers—for ongoing support.

“The pandemic was hard,” Tim recently told PAWS NY. “Stopping my visits in March 2020 was quite difficult. I would call to check in, and both Richard and Bella seemed isolated and depressed.” Everyone was thrilled when they were able to resume regular visits—in masks and with safety precautions in place—and Tim added, “I’m grateful for the opportunity to spend time with both of them each week.”

Tim has loved animals since he was a kid, and he and his wife currently have two pets: 12-year-old French bulldog Lillie and 10-year-old cat Oliver. But that’s not the only reason that PAWS NY’s work resonates with him. A scholar and researcher in healthcare, Tim is a professor at the City University of New York and works with a hospice organization that occasionally refers patients to PAWS NY, which is how he first heard about the organization.

“We had one patient who was adamant about remaining in her apartment until she died so that she did not have to leave her cat,” he said. “The social worker called PAWS, and the volunteers helped her do exactly that. That was so meaningful and when I decided to do some volunteer work, I knew it would be with PAWS NY.” Through this work, Tim has become “a strong believer in community-based care that enhances moral agency,” which means that PAWS NY is “the perfect blend of my two primary passions.”

As a volunteer, Tim not only walks Bella once a week, but also helps with her food and medication, checks in on Richard and Bella during weather emergencies, and helps out with vet transport whenever Bella has an appointment.

“I think I’m making a positive impact on Bella’s and Richard’s lives, and working with them makes a positive impact on my life,” he said. “It’s that simple.”

Thank you to Tim and all the other amazing volunteers who help PAWS NY every day! Click here to learn more about becoming a volunteer.

The post Volunteer Spotlight: Tim appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.

“Richard is a really neat guy,” Tim says. “He was part of a group that successfully lobbied local officials to build the dog run in Morningside Park, he knows everybody on the block, and Bella is completely devoted to him.”

Learn more about Tim, including his cute routine with Bella, by reading his full Q&A below!

How did you hear about PAWS NY?

I work with a hospice and we have referred patients to PAWS NY.

Why are you passionate about PAWS and our mission of helping people by helping pets?

I’ve experienced first hand the ways pets enrich life. I believe strongly in helping people stay in the place they’ve chosen as their homes through debility, illness, and death. So, the mission of PAWS NY is the perfect fit for me.

Do you have pets of your own? Or have you in the past? Tell us about them!

I’ve had dogs and cats all my life. My partner Diana and I now have a 10-year-old French Bulldog, Lillie, and an 8-year-old short-haired cat, Oliver.

What do you do during your volunteer shift? Which clients & pets do you help? What do you do with the pets during your shift? 

My primary relationship is with Bella and her owner, Richard. Pre-pandemic, I walked Bella every Friday in Morningside Park and then spent 15 minutes or so visiting with Richard. During the pandemic, I’ve been checking in on them via phone. I’ve also recently done some vet visit transports, as well.

What is your favorite part about volunteering? Do you have any favorite memories?

I love spending time with Bella and talking with Richard and his home health aide. They feel like part of the family now. 

Bella is a huge pit bull, but she is a total love bug. When I arrive she is so excited…she lies down for a belly rub, awkwardly tries to assist when I put her sweater on in cold weather, etc. She is a neighborhood celebrity and everyone greets her by name. Richard is also a really neat guy. He was part of a group that successfully lobbied local officials to build the dog run in Morningside Park, knows everybody on the block, and Bella is completely devoted to him.

Where are you from? Where in the city do you live now?

I’m from Quakertown, which is a town about halfway between Allentown and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Now, I live in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan.

What do you like to do in your spare time (besides volunteer with PAWS NY)?

I like to read, walk in Riverside Park, find new movies and series on Netflix, eat out with friends (pre-pandemic), and travel. I also do volunteer work through the Upper Morningside Mutual Aid group.

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

1. I love to wear colorful socks … especially ones made by Happy Socks.
2. I played competitive volleyball until sidelined by a shoulder injury 2 years ago.
3. And Diana and I got engaged on Christmas morning, 2020!

Congratulations to Tim and Diana and thanks so much for your support and dedication to PAWS NY!

The post PAWS NY Volunteer Spotlight: Tim appeared first on Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY.