Alexis (Chung Ah)

Alexis has fostered two dogs who were part of our Preserving Families in Times of Crisis program, which is funded by PetSmart Charities: Tiny and Noelle. “I remember waking up every morning to see Noelle staring at me because she wanted to go out, and it makes me smile,” Alexis says. “She was really like my Christmas gift last winter!”

Read her full Q&A below to learn more about her time with Tiny and Noelle!

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

I grew up with a lot of pets and have a nearly 19-year-old(!) mini Yorkie named Louie back home. My dad has even started a pet food business back home in South Korea. My parents are extremely dedicated to providing good care to our pets and have instilled those values in me. I know what an emotional and mental boost pets can provide, so the idea of taking care of animals (and helping others through that same act) appealed to me.

What do you do as a PAWS NY volunteer? Which clients & pets do you help? What do you do with the pets during your shift? 

I have helped and fostered two dogs so far: Tiny and Noelle. Tiny, I had for about a week. Noelle, over two months. I did what I expect volunteers typically do with their foster pets! I took care of Noelle as if she were my own pet: taking her out on walks in Bryant Park (I think I know every corner of Bryant Park by now), playing with her, bathing her, etc. 

Noelle walking in Bryant Park

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

I have so many fond memories from my time with Tiny and Noelle that it’s hard to choose a specific one. There are some sad memories from when I had to say goodbye to them, and especially with Tiny because he wasn’t going back to his owner and he was such an anxious dog. But I also look back fondly at the time when Tiny first sat on my lap (and pooped on me!) and my numerous walks with Noelle in the freezing winter weather. I remember waking up every morning to see Noelle staring at me because she wanted to go out, and it makes me smile. She was really like my Christmas gift last winter! 

What do you do for work? What brought you / keeps you in NYC?

I’m a corporate lawyer and moved to New York in January 2020. After moving to the US for college I hadn’t been around a lot of animals and really missed the interaction. Louie’s mom, Poly, passed away when I was in law school and I had been looking to volunteer with organizations like PAWS ever since. I’m grateful that I learned of PAWS NY and that I’ve had such great foster experiences. 

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

Pilates, golf, watching NBA games, independent movie theaters, cooking, shopping…

Thanks so much to Alexis for her support and dedication! If you’d like to volunteer for PAWS NY, sign up for an orientation now.

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

“Lessening someone else’s stress by volunteering is a small gesture that hopefully goes a long way,” Connie says. Read her full Q&A below to learn more about the adventures she’s had with Sonny and what she likes to do in her free time!

Connie and Sonny

How did you hear about PAWS NY? 

A colleague posted about fostering for PAWS NY, so I applied, as I figured that I should get involved in some kind of community activity. (The pandemic brought out my inner homebody, maybe a little too much!)

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

Though I am new to PAWS, I support their mission as I’d imagine that worrying about your pet’s well-being while juggling your own needs can be overwhelming. Lessening someone else’s stress by volunteering is a small gesture that hopefully goes a long way.

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

No pets right now—I had a dog growing up, and I took care of a lot of his needs in the last few years of his life, as my parents took care of the hard stuff when I was younger (he lived until age 15!). Seeing my dog enjoy his golden years, despite his health issues, motivated me to help out another senior dog in the future.

What do you do as a PAWS NY volunteer? Which clients & pets do you help?  

As a volunteer, I have been long-term fostering an 11-year-old special needs dog named Sonny. I haven’t had the chance to meet Sonny’s guardian due to their extenuating circumstances, though I’m sure they have some great stories to tell about him. I’ve also kept in contact with his previous foster, who has been really helpful in giving me tips for Sonny’s care.

Sonny out for a walk

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

My favorite part about volunteering is seeing Sonny slowly grow more confident and curious, as he is very anxious and shakes whenever he goes somewhere new. To see him go from shaking to curling up and relaxing is a rewarding process that requires patience. 

Initially, I was nervous about how I’d manage this, along with his mobility issues and his stroller, as I tend to be a bit of a worrier myself. However, seeing Sonny handle car drives, the vet, the groomer, new friends, and new places (given what he has gone through recently) reminds me of how resilient animals can be. I am also grateful for the patience and care that my friends, their pets, and my family have shown Sonny. My other favorite part is his gait—we call it his ‘trot’. That, and how he stomps his feet when he gets excited for walks or treats.

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

From NJ and now live in Brooklyn.

Connie with Sonny and another pup

What do you do for work? What brought you / keeps you in NYC?

I am an editor working in healthcare/pharmaceuticals. Work brought me to NYC, and I stay for the friends, family, and well, work!

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

Snowboarding, hanging out in the park, watching documentaries, writing to-do lists.

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

I’ve kept some form of a journal, written or digital, since elementary school. It’s sort of surreal to read your random thoughts from decades ago!

Thanks so much to Connie for her support and dedication! If you’d like to volunteer for PAWS NY, sign up for an orientation now.

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

Let’s kick things off with Scott, a brand-new volunteer who joined PAWS NY about four months ago. Right away he started working as a Housecall volunteer and signed up to foster Tappy and Angelina for a few weeks while their guardian was hospitalized. 

Scott, who has spent much of his life volunteering and working with nonprofits, says, “There is so much in the world I cannot affect, but this is one way I can help.” Learn more about Scott, his work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and his favorite memories with Tappy and Angelina in the Q&A below!

Scott with Tappy and Angelina

How did you hear about PAWS NY? 

After I retired, I did some investigating to find a nonprofit to support. I had worked with an organization with the same name in Los Angeles during the worst of the AIDS crisis. Back then, they were focussed (at least in LA) with AIDS patients that had pets but needed help. I found PAWS NY, which does a similar thing with people that need support for their animals in NYC. Animals are one of the best means of support for people.

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

I have seen first-hand the way pets improve people’s lives. I think it is one way that I can help others that is immediate and fulfilling. I also have to thank my husband, as he did not sign up, but he was a huge part of my being able to foster PAWS pets for so long.

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

I have had terriers for the past 30 years. Our most recent boy, Trevor, died in April 2020 during the beginning of the COVID lockdown. It was a hard time without him.

What do you do as a PAWS NY volunteer? Which clients & pets do you help? What do you do with the pets during your shift? 

We fostered Tappy and Angelina for a little over a month. I also walk a different little dog in Hell’s Kitchen twice a week for a woman with mobility issues.

Scott’s Husband with Tappy and Angelina

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

I like volunteering because of the way it helps others. There is so much in the world I cannot affect, but this is one way I can help. My favorite unexpected memory from our time with Tappy and Angelina is hearing them both snore! My dogs used to dream, but never snored.

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

I’m from Los Angeles, born and raised. I lived there for most of my life, but I have been in New York now for 16 years.

What do you do for work? What brought you / keeps you in NYC?

My husband got a transfer here (for a two-year gig, 16 years ago!). I transferred with Citibank until I semi-retired, but I still teach Project Management every now and then. I love everything about New York, except the weather. I’m a real LA person: I do not like seasons.

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

I reviewed off-Broadway shows for years up until COVID (over 200). I worked for a site in England. I also write, but just for fun.

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

1. I worked with a U.S. nonprofit in Bosnia Herzegovina for many years. It is called Project1948.ngo and we worked in Sarajevo to help young adults with the aftermath of war in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  
2. I presented at the United Nations for Bosnia, in support of the UN’s goals for women. Note: Bosnia is not represented deeply at the UN and so Project 1948 often attended the United Nations in representation for Bosnia in the ECOSOC meetings (Economic and Social Council).
3. I won $22,100 on Jeopardy in 2013!

Thanks so much to Scott (and his husband) for their support and dedication! If you’d like to volunteer for PAWS NY, sign up for an orientation now.

The post Volunteer Spotlight: Scott 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.

How did you hear about PAWS NY? Why are you passionate about PAWS and our mission of helping people by helping pets?

For many years, I had the pleasure of walking Polly, my neighbor’s seeing eye dog. Polly was everything you would want to be: popular, pretty, sweet, smart and kind hearted. Polly made friends everywhere she went, but one special friendship was with Colleen. Although Colleen didn’t actually have a dog (she has two cats), she told me that she was a volunteer with this wonderful organization called PAWS.

Unfortunately, my beloved Polly passed away and I didn’t see much of Colleen or my other dog walking friends. Recently, I decided to attend an orientation at PAWS and signed up to walk Lexus, a sweet dog with a wonderful owner. It may be hard to believe, but it turns out that one of Lexus’ team members happened to be Colleen!!

I have no doubt that, somewhere in Dog Heaven, Polly is smiling down at us, happy to know that Colleen and I have been reunited again by yet another darling dog.

As a volunteer, I really hoped to do good for someone else, but it turns out that I’m the one that has benefited the most. My life has been so enriched by this experience. I am so very grateful to be part of such an amazing and inspiring organization.

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

I just adopted a sweet but wary cat named Brie who had lived at Bideawee for more than two years!!

How long have you been a volunteer with PAWS? 

I started volunteering with PAWS in November of 2019.

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

In addition to my help with Lexus, who sadly passed away recently, I also walk Jango, who is a firecracker. Both Jango and his owner have also brought a great deal of joy into my life.

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

It’s hard to say what my favorite parts of volunteering are as there are so many including: being part of an organization that does such amazing work; getting to know and care about our clients and their adorable animals; being able to help people in need as well as actually physically walking a dog and being able to explore a new neighborhood.

One day I was walking my charge and we ran into another team member. It was amazing to see how excited my dog and my teammate were to see each other. It was so touching to see the deep bond that they had obviously developed.

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

I am originally from Massachusetts. I live on the west side of Manhattan.

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

In my spare time, I enjoy going to all forms of the performing arts, I love to travel and I love biking on the Hudson River.

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

I initially moved to New York City to pursue my career as a dancer and choreographer. I retired from dance many years ago and my current career involves investigating medical malpractice.

Donate to PAWS NY!
We’re collecting donations to support our work to help vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets during this unprecedented time and beyond. Click here to donate!

Interested in volunteering with PAWS NY like Mary?
We are looking into developing virtual orientations so that we can continue to train volunteers during this difficult time. If interested, please sign up for a regular Volunteer Orientation and we will be in touch with more information when we have it.

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

How did you hear about PAWS NY?

I heard about PAWS through my friend Tara, who has been volunteering for several years and is on the board. Her family is very involved with PAWS and she really inspired me to get involved with the organization! 

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

I grew up with dogs and have always loved animals. My grandma and grandpa absolutely loved dogs and had one up until they passed away. Their dogs brought them so much happiness, energy, and love and I really believe that their dogs helped them to live longer lives. I think that animals are so crucial to people’s well being, especially as people age, so once I heard about PAWS NY’s mission, I knew it was the perfect organization for me, because it combines my love of helping people, while also being able to be around animals. 

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

I currently have a cat named Bella who is 8 years old and is so cuddly. I grew up surrounded by dogs and my siblings and parents all still have dogs. My parents have my grandmother’s dog named Seymour, who is a lab/dachshund mix. He has hilariously tiny legs and a big head. One brother has a pug named Rudy, and my other brother has a terrier mix named Clark. 

How long have you been a volunteer with PAWS? 

I’ve been a volunteer with PAWS for three years and look forward to many more years!

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

I currently walk an adorable dachshund named Frenchie for his owner Lorraine. I take him on walks once a week and am actually fostering him because of the Coronavirus outbreak. He is a perfect dog and follows me around everywhere! We’ve been checking in with Lorraine and sending her updates until they can reunite again.

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

I love getting to know the clients and learning about their lives in NYC. I used to live on the UWS and walked Peanut, a corgi / pug mix for Muriel, and loved walking him through Central Park during the spring and fall mornings. Peanut was not a fan of snow, so the winter was always a challenge. Sometimes I would need to carry him because he refused to move!

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

I am from the suburbs of Chicago and have lived in NYC for 8+ years. I currently live in Long Island City with my husband!

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

Well since we’ve been in quarantine, I am finding new ways to connect with my friends and family, such as playing Jackbox Games and watching new shows like Little Fires Everywhere, but I’m looking forward to reuniting with friends and family and traveling soon!

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

I have two different colored eyes and have a huge hot sauce obsession. I think I have about ~50 bottles currently in my fridge! 

Donate to PAWS NY!
We’re collecting donations to support our work to help vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets during this unprecedented time and beyond. Click here to donate!

Interested in volunteering with PAWS NY?
We are looking into developing virtual orientations so that we can continue to train volunteers during this difficult time. If interested, please sign up for a regular Volunteer Orientation and we will be in touch with more information when we have it.

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

How did you hear about PAWS NY? 

I watched a heartwarming NY1 story about PAWS, their clients, volunteers, and outreach. 

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

I am a passionate animal advocate and feel strongly that our animal companions enhance and enrich our lives in more ways than we can quantify. 

My goal is to prevent breaking up families by keeping pets safe in their homes with their loving parents. I want to help as many cats, dogs, and pets as I can from entering the overwhelmed shelter system. 

Additionally, I never want a life without a furbaby by my side. I hope when I am in my senior years that I will be able to have PAWS help me and my pets stay together furever. 

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

I am a mom to a beautiful, smart, funny, and confident 1.5-year-old adopted American Pit Bull Terrier. Her name is Body and she is my first dog. My wife and I rescued her at 8 weeks old from North Shore Animal League the day after our feline furbaby, a 16.5-year-old black cat named Dolce, crossed the rainbow bridge. I rescued Dolce’s mother, Lux (aka Momma) from the streets of Washington, D.C., when she was pregnant with Dolce (and two other kittens). Momma was my spirit animal and lived a long life until she too crossed the rainbow bridge at a ripe old age of 15+.

How long have you been a volunteer with PAWS? 

July 2019 

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

1. Sara and her 4 dogs: Max, Liza, Dolly, Jimmy
   Before I walk into the apartment, the doggos welcome me with a symphony of barks and howls to celebrate my arrival. I walk the boys separately and the girls walk together for their comfort and benefit. We walk the Astoria streets and soak up the sun as their tails wag at the people walking by. 
2. Eileen and her dog: Simba 
   Simba is a true gentleman, always enthusiastic and ready to take on the world! Don’t let his little leggies fool you; he loves a long walk through the neighborhood, smiling at any and everyone who walks by. Simba has a contagious zest for life. I hope he looks forward to our walks as much as I do. 

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

I love learning all of the quirks and preferences of each dog’s personality. I love seeing their excitement when I ring the doorbell and their satisfied, tired little faces at the end of our walks. Mostly I cherish Sara and Eileen’s reactions before and after my shifts. Their happiness is my reward. 

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

I was born in Manhattan, raised and currently residing in Queens.

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

I love long walks with my dog and I love taking her anywhere I can safely let her off-leash and watch her run and play. Outside of my dog, I love to travel, I play pool competitively, I love going to the movies, and I watch tons of TV/original series. I also really love museums, Botanical Gardens, the beach, swimming…really anything I can do outside. 

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

1. I have a green thumb and love (balcony) gardening.
2. I am a sneaker fanatic and have been collecting since I was a kid
3. I went to undergrad in Washington, DC, and lived there for many years until moving back to NYC in 2012.

Donate to PAWS NY!
We’re collecting donations to support our work to help vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets during this unprecedented time and beyond. Click here to donate!

Interested in volunteering with PAWS NY?
We are looking into developing virtual orientations so that we can continue to train volunteers during this difficult time. If interested, please sign up for a regular Volunteer Orientation and we will be in touch with more information when we have it.

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

How did you hear about PAWS NY?

Through my former roommate, a fellow volunteer named Shaynna who has since moved across the pond.

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

I love being able to interact with animals and learn from them before I become a pet owner myself, and I love know that I am able to help a vulnerable part of our community. Our pet guardians are so sweet, gracious, and caring about our wellbeing as volunteers. We build a lovely, symbiotic relationship.

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

No, I never have! I have grown up always wanting dogs, so I started with dog walking to test the waters. But meeting my friends’ cats has opened my heart to them and see how suited they are for NYC apartment dwellers, so much that I have fostered two PAWS cats and have been cat sitting for friends ever since!

How long have you been a volunteer with PAWS? 

Since February 2017.

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

I have walked Ava, a black Lab, for Eileen; checked in on cat siblings June and Charlie for Howard and fostered them while he was ill; and I walk Shih Tzu mix siblings Harry and Sally for Dalita.

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

While dog walking, I love getting to see them interact with other dogs on the streets of New York, and talk to our NYC neighbors along the way. It is a very connecting activity. I love to observe the quirky habits of cats when I visit them.

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

I’m from Long Island and I live in Brooklyn now.

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

Yoga, Dance, and Travel!

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

I am a part of a pop choir called Here to Sing. This is less a fun fact about myself, but Boris & Horton cafe is animal friendly and a great first date spot to find a fellow animal lover.

Donate to PAWS NY!
We’re collecting donations to support our work to help vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets during this unprecedented time and beyond. Click here to donate!

Interested in volunteering with PAWS NY?
We are looking into developing virtual orientations so that we can continue to train volunteers during this difficult time. If interested, please sign up for a regular Volunteer Orientation and we will be in touch with more information when we have it.

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

How did you hear about PAWS NY?

My best friend told me about it because she knew I loved dogs and helping the elderly.

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

I understand how important a pet is as a companion, and I could never imagine having to surrender my own because of illness or disability.

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

I do not have any pets in NYC, but I’ve grown up with dogs and I got my parents a new puppy over the holidays!

How long have you been a volunteer with PAWS? 

Just over 3 years!

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

I walk Tappy & Angelina for Zerline every Thursday! We usually take a big lap around the 23rd Street area and enjoy meeting many other pups along the way.

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

Tappy & Angelina can always hear me walking down the hall when I get off the elevator and they start barking before I even reach the door! Many memories to share, but a lot of them involve trying to remove street pizza out of their mouths!

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

I’m from North Carolina and I live in Chelsea now.

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

Work out, go to museums and art galleries, volunteer at St. Joe’s soup kitchen.

Share 1-3 fun facts about yourself!

I love baking (especially anything with chocolate), I travel as often as I can, and I love going to concerts with my dad.

Donate to PAWS NY!
We’re collecting donations to support our work to help vulnerable New Yorkers and their pets during this unprecedented time and beyond. Click here to donate!

Interested in volunteering with PAWS NY?
We are looking into developing virtual orientations so that we can continue to train volunteers during this difficult time. If interested, please sign up for a regular Volunteer Orientation and we will be in touch with more information when we have it.

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