volunteer Archives - Pets Are Wonderful Support (PAWS) NY

Runner Spotlight: Jamal

Will Braithwaite — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 16:30:15 +0000

Today’s Runner Spotlight is Jamal Seriki, who will be running the 2026 NYC Half Marathon in March. Jamal has been volunteering for PAWS since September 2025. He loves helping animals in need, and he’s extremely excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Runner Spotlight: Clare

Will Braithwaite — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 15:40:34 +0000

Today’s Runner Spotlight is Clare Sheedy, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. Clare is a graduate student at Columbia University who loves animals and can’t wait to run the marathon to support PAWS NY!

Runner Spotlight: Michelle

Will Braithwaite — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 16:08:56 +0000

Today’s Runner Spotlight is Michelle Mayakis, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. Michelle is a 2026 DVM candidate at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. She loves helping animals in need, and she’s extremely excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Michelle in her Q&A below!

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I have 2 cats of my own that were both foster fails! I grew up with horses, cats, donkeys, goats, and dogs. My family and I are huge pet people and growing up with so many was such a dream!

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I’m currently getting my Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 2026 at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine. I love animals and I love supporting any cause that loves and cares for pets as much as I do. I love PAWS mission and I cannot wait to run for them!

Why did you decide to run the 2024 Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

I ran the 2024 St. Patrick’s day marathon in Virginia Beach this year. I enjoyed the thrill, energy and support of the runners and the supporters. I have always seen how big the NYC marathon is and have had a dream of experiencing this wonderful race. I am so thrilled that I can do what I love with such a large volume of supporters along the way!

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

I like to horse back ride, hang out with my friends, travel, try new restaurants, and just be outside. Also, I once was stalked by a Cheetah while running in South Africa! I love to travel and have been to many amazing places all over the world.

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Michelle! Click here to donate to Michelle’s fundraising page or to support the team overall.

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Runner Spotlight: Glenn

Will Braithwaite — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 16:42:20 +0000

Glenn with Winter and Ember

Today’s Runner Spotlight is about Glenn, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. Glenn is a veterinarian who loves to help people and animals in need, and he’s extremely excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Runner Spotlight: Amanda L

Will Braithwaite — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 19:07:50 +0000

Today’s Runner Spotlight is about another Amanda, Amanda L, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November. As someone who has always had pets and loved animals, Amanda is excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Amanda in her Q&A below:

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

While I am currently a Florida resident, I grew up in NJ only a short train ride away from NYC. I work as an occupational therapist helping people regain, maintain, or retain their independence with life skills after an injury or illness. This charity is a really unique opportunity for me as a dog mom, animal lover and OT! Knowing this money is helping support those who can not care for their animals provides another outlet for me to support those in need.

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I currently have the privilege of being a dog mom to my sweet 11 year old Vizsla named Bruce! Bruce was named after the character in Matilda (yes the one from the chocolate cake scene), and while I originally planned on getting a boy dog there were only females left in her litter. So like a boy named Sue, she’s a girl named Bruce! In her younger days Bruce was my running buddy, and while she’s slowed down now she still enjoys long walks to the beach (or the local coffee shop for a pup cup).

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

I joined my high school track team for one winter season before going out with an injury (should have known then I’d get hooked eventually). While I fell in love with Pilates shortly afterwards, as a poor college student I found myself falling back in love with running. Whenever I go back to visit my alma mater, Florida State University (GO NOLES) I’m always sure to pack my running shoes. There’s something about running under that Spanish moss that always takes me back. I live in Atlantic Beach, Florida currently and love running through this sleepy beach town.

What do you do in your free time (besides run)?

When not on a run you can find me out and about walking with my sweet girl Bruce, laying out at the beach or cozied up on the couch watching the latest Dateline or 20/20. I’m also a Pure Barre instructor (going on 7 years)!

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Amanda! Click here to donate to Amanda L’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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Runner Spotlight: Amanda

Will Braithwaite — Wed, 17 Jul 2024 00:25:48 +0000

Amanda and her pup Lisa!

Today’s Runner Spotlight is all about Amanda, who will be running the 2024 NYC Marathon in November–her second marathon! As someone who has always had pets and loved animals, Amanda is excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Read more about Amanda in her Q&A below:

What is your connection to PAWS NY? Why is this cause important to you?

I grew up with dogs and have always felt that pets are some of the most supportive family members you can have. Unfortunately, I don’t live in a pet friendly apartment and cannot have a pet of my own. I wanted to start giving back to the community and when I found PAWS NY it seemed like the perfect fit. Helping others care for their 4-legged family members is so fulfilling!

Why did you decide to run the 2024 Marathon? Have you participated in long races in the past?

The NYC Marathon has been a bucket list item for me since I moved to NYC in 2019. The energy of this race is truly moving and I can’t wait to feel it from the athlete perspective. I did my first marathon (Philly) in 2023 and am ready to tackle training for marathon #2!

Do you have any pets of your own? Did you grow up with pets? Tell us about them!

I grew up with doggos! My parents let my sister and I name our first dog. We didn’t know that pet names could be *creative*… so we named her Lisa. A patient and loyal yellow lab mix rescue . In all the places I’ve lived, I’ve always found a way to either walk, play with, or dog sit friend’s, family’s, or coworker’s doggos

How long have you been running? What are some of your favorite places to run?

Growing up, I played sports that involved a lot of running and my dad is a triathlete so I’ve always been around the running world. Some of my favorite places to run are Central Park, the East River Walkway, and Key Largo, FL (enjoyed 4 years of no hills while living down there!).

We’re so excited to cheer you on as you run Amanda! Click here to donate to Amanda’s fundraising page or support the team overall.

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

Volunteer Spotlight: Berkis

Will Braithwaite — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 19:26:40 +0000

“My favorite part of volunteering is the joy you feel the minute you see your client’s pet.”

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?

I wanted to help out people in my community with some of my free time. I figured that volunteering with PAWS would allow me to combine my love for animals while helping those in need and I was right!

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

I help out a nice man named Sam. Every Friday afternoon, I head over to his apartment and take his 4 year old mixed-breed rescue named Apollo for a walk. Apollo is always so happy to see me, they can’t wait to get some fresh air. Apollo really loves the park.

Last question – dogs or cats?

Ooh that’s really hard. Sorry Apollo, but I have to go with cats. I love cats!

Thanks to Berkis for her commitment as a PAWS NY volunteer and for bringing joy to Sam and Apollo every week!

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Runner Spotlight: Irina

Will Braithwaite — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:05:04 +0000

Irina with Javi and Remi

Today’s Runner Spotlight gives us a deep dive on Irina, who will be traveling from California to run the 2024 United Half Marathon! As an animal lover (specifically rescue pets), Irina can’t wait to run the half marathon Sunday to support PAWS and our amazing mission.

Runner Spotlight: Katie

Will Braithwaite — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 17:05:34 +0000

Katie and her lab mix Mia

Today’s Runner Spotlight is all about Katie, who will be traveling from Nashville, Tennessee to run the 2024 United Half Marathon–her second half marathon! As someone who has always had pets and loved animals, Katie is excited to fundraise for PAWS NY and support our mission.

Volunteer Spotlight: Khadeja

Kimberly Green — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 17:39:53 +0000

In many ways, Khadeja (she/her) is your typical college student. A junior at John Jay College of Criminal Justice CUNY, she can often be found in class, studying for the LSAT, or watching her favorite shows: The Office or Gilmore Girls. Plus, she really loves pizza! But Khadeja also spends time each week volunteering for PAWS NY, where she helps care for several pets in Manhattan.

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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