Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) hosted students from the Stafford High School Military Student Connect Club on Sunday, November 26. The club is open to the school’s students who are military-connected, as well as their friends and others who are interested in joining. The students toured the rescue facility, including the puppy side, the main room where most of the dogs are housed, Little Dog Land for small, four-legged friends and the Intake Room, where new rescues are examined. They were given an overview on cleaning kennels, crates and dog beds; safety with dogs while volunteering; and evaluating the new rescues in the Intake Room.
The students helped volunteers by walking dogs while their kennels were being scrubbed, playing with the puppies and giving attention to the residents of ODHS.
“Old Dominion Humane Society relies entirely on volunteers and donations to take care of our rescue dogs,” said Chrissy Blake, ODHS founder. “The students have invested their time and efforts in helping the dogs, and we’re so thankful for them.”
Jacinda Patishnock is the Military Student Connect Club’s student liaison. Bryana Garcia, a Stafford High School senior and an ambassador for the club, spearheaded the activity to bring the students to ODHS and learn more about taking care of the rescue dogs.
ODHS is not government-funded and is a 501c3 nonprofit organization now in its tenth year of existence. Its goal is to decrease the number of animals needlessly euthanized by pulling dogs from high-kill shelters and educating the community about animal rescue. Its mission is to provide well-matched, permanent homes for animals in need through rescue, rehabilitation and education. This year alone, the rescue has adopted out nearly 1,000 dogs to caring, forever homes.