BY CASSIDEY KAVATHAS, NEWS EDITOR
The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is looking for volunteers from the St. Bonaventure community. The SPCA is a nonprofit animal shelter dedicated to saving the lives of animals, as well as providing adoption services for homeless and neglected animals. SBU@SPCA offers the ability for students to take care of pets in need.
“SBU@SPCA is the only organization on campus that gives you interaction with animals,” said Katie Heitzman, a senior biochemistry/chemistry double major and coordinator for the SPCA program. “The SPCA is a place where you can give as little or as much of your time as you want, and still walk away feeling like you made a difference.”
The program takes weekly trips to the SPCA in Cattaraugus County to walk dogs, play with cats, groom animals and perform tasks to help the facility upkeep.
“The goal is to help socialize the animals and to help the dogs get their energy out,” said Heitzman. “It can be hard for their staff to keep up with so many animals at once, so our goal is to help them with that while having fun!”
Volunteers say the animals sometimes offer as much help to them as they do the animals.
“It definitely is a stress reliever,” said Neeya Shetty, a sophomore biology major. “I usually go before a big test to release some steam.”
Heitzman agrees with Shetty about the animals’ effect on mental health, describing the unique pairing of university students and stress.
“I strongly believe that fur therapy is real,” said Heitzman. “Nothing can match the calming presence an animal can have on a person. This is especially true for college students who usually have a lot of things going on at once.”
Besides the benefits to mental health, working with animals helps many students with homesickness.
“I started volunteering because I grew up on a farm and when I came to Bona’s I missed it a lot. The SPCA was an easy place to get some contact with animals,” said Heitzman. “I volunteer for all the special little moments, like the doggy grins and getting a cat that absolutely hates people to come up to you for a pet.”
For many, volunteering at the SPCA does not feel like community service work.
“Volunteering is one of the most satisfying things a person can do. Volunteering at the SPCA is no different. You can physically see the difference you are making, and it’s incredible,” said Heitzman. “The SPCA is always so grateful for the help and so welcoming and being appreciated is such a nice feeling. I strongly encourage everyone at Bona’s to try it at least once!”
kavathcj20@bonavneture.edu
