LOCAL

UNCW grad keeps up her paws4people work

Emily Spink Your Voice Correspondent
Emily Spink started working with paws4people's service dogs when she was a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, and continued her involvement as an alumnus. [CONTRIBUTED PHOTO]

WILMINGTON -- I have been a part of the paws4people UNCW Service Dog Training Program for about a year now. I finished the program last fall and received my public access trainer certificate from paws4people.

I was originally interested in the program because I am pursuing a career as a veterinarian. I thought an actual class revolving around dogs, especially service dogs, was too good to be true.

I love this program and paws4people so much that I decided to continue as an alumni volunteer and still public access train service dogs. paws4people has given me the opportunity to help many different types of members in my community. I have helped train service dogs for veterans, children with disabilities, and even facility dogs.

Not only am I able to help the community by helping train service dogs, but while in the program I have taken service dogs in training to nursing homes, schools, and have attended many PR events to help inform the community about paws4people and how their service dogs help members of the community.

I have loved being a part of this program and cannot explain how much it has changed my life. Although I am supposed to be training these dogs, I believe they teach us just as many valuable lessons. They have taught me a new level of responsibility, time-management, and compassion. paws4people has allowed me to help countless people through my love of animals and for that I will be forever grateful for my experience.

For more information, visit paws4people.org or contact local advisory board member Donna Shiro at Donna.shiro@paws4people.org.

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