A day in any of the MCHA staff's work lives can cross a broad spectrum of topics, experiences, emotions and activities. But, we don't stand alone. What many of you might not know about are the dogs that are just as much staff as the humans at the MCHA. We have a corporate culture and it includes several four-legged friends.
I start each day with my former shelter dog Audrey who dutifully reports to the office as if she has as long a to-do list as I do. By the time we make it into my office I have usually accumulated an extra dog or three. These dogs would be Audrey's extended dog family of Journey, Gage and Daisy, dogs of MCHA Education Program Director Sarah DeLone.
Thanks to a very committed long-time MCHA volunteer, Jeanne Antilla, a treat jar on my desk is always generously stocked and the dogs know it. Nothing can happen until they get their morning treat. The silly human has effectively been trained in this case.
Each one of our dogs provide us with moral support and have their role as part of the MCHA. Journey is the famous one of the bunch who is the star of many of the over 200 free humane education programs provided by the MCHA to our schools and community each year.
Journey is also a VIPaws Pet Partner volunteering her services and good cheer to those that need it most. She has been visiting children at The Rise in Bloomington every Friday for many years, among other facilities. We truly owe Journey the corner office for all she is doing for other animals and the MCHA.
Not to slight the others, Gage and Daisy are also both accomplished VIPaws Pet Partners participating in such programs as ARF (Animal Reading Friends) at the Monroe County Public Library (MCPL). ARF is a partnership between the MCPL and the MCHA providing children the opportunity to practice their reading skills by reading to the dogs.
Audrey, who might not have all the perfected skill sets the DeLone dogs hold, has her place as well. This includes mothering any small animal that may be in our office especially rabbits and her favorite, kittens.
All the dogs look forward to weekly visits from our fantastic Stonebelt volunteers who collect donations from our donation cans around town and bring treats to our kids.
Faithful canine companions enrich every dog guardians life with unconditional love and companionship. Our dogs are also woven into the tapestry of our mission as tightly as we are.
On behalf of the MCHA dogs I encourage you and your furry pals to join us at the Walk for the Animals, Sunday, October 5, 2008,1 - 4PM at Karst Farm Park, to celebrate all animals and support the mission of the Monroe County Humane Association.
If you haven't already, register for the event by setting up your personal fundraising webpage and start helping the animals today. For all the animal companions we cherish in our own lives, there are many more less fortunate that need us.
Gage with Diamond, MCHA Animal Ambassador
Daisy at Meadowood
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