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Stepping In to Volunteer with Animals

Stepping In to Volunteer with Animals

During the 2007 firestorm, the Animal Rescue Reserve (ARR) Program went into immediate and full action. The volunteer-based program, part of the San Diego Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ investigations department, is a team of experts that helps evacuate people’s horses, livestock and pets during emergencies. Within the first few days of the firestorm, ARR helped rescue more than 400 animals and assist several thousand more at evacuation centers. In addition, the San Diego Humane Society and County of San Diego Animal Services officers tended to animals that were left behind in burned areas.

This team is only one of many organizations in San Diego that works with animals in times of need—whether offering animals support or working with animals to offer people support. Other local organizations include Canine Companions for Independence, which provides assistance dogs for people with disabilities, and Pets Are Wonderful Support, which cares for the animals of clients such as low-income elderly people.

Regardless of the end goal, none of these organizations’ programs can run without the help of dedicated volunteers. Take Pat Poulin, for instance. Every Tuesday for the past 15 years, Poulin and one of her dogs have visited the Naval Medical Center San Diego as part of Our Best Friends, the Armed Services YMCA’s therapy-dog program. Currently, Poulin is accompanied by her fifth companion, a 95-pound coated Rottweiler. The patients, says Poulin, “look forward to seeing her every week.” Plus, she points out, petting animals lowers blood pressure, helps patients heal faster and improves people’s mood.

Another dedicated volunteer, Del Mar Country Club owner Madeleine Pickens, has offered her support to dozens of organizations over the years. In tribute to her and her husband’s extensive commitment to animals, this year’s San Diego Humane Society Fur Ball honored them. They also received the Equine Advocates’ Safe Home Equine Protection Award for their efforts to stop the slaughtering of 100,000 American horses killed annually by foreign-owned slaughterhouses.

With such an extensive volunteer résumé, it’s no wonder Pickens also stepped in during Hurricane Katrina, working with the San Diego Humane Society, the Helen Woodward Animal Center and rescue groups from locations such as Seattle, Marin County and Colorado to save animals. “When people were evacuated, they were told to leave their animals,” she says. “It was heartbreaking.” So Pickens chartered airlines and flew about 800 stranded animals out of the area to start reunification efforts.