‘It makes a big difference’ Upper Valley students lend a hand at area animal shelters

By PATRICK O’GR ADY Valley News Correspondent

WEST WINDSOR —On a warm, sunny Thursday afternoon, Vera Windish and Sage Campisi, Woodstock Union High School juniors, greeted Shayla, a 6-year-old husky and beagle mix inside the entrance of the Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society.

An excited Shayla appeared eager for some outdoor fun and with leash in hand, Campisi and Windish led her out the door, across the parking lot and a small field to an old corral. With her leash off, Shayla sprinted across the enclosure, stopping here and there to sniff the ground, then tore around, chasing a ball and a Frisbee the students threw for her.

Shayla’s exercise is one of several tasks the girls do each week as volunteers at Lucy Mackenzie, an animal shelter in West Windsor. Not surprisingly, both express a deep love for animals and are considering careers working with animals.

“I want to be a veterinarian and this offers some good experience,” Campisi said.

Both girls, along with Morghan Robinson, a Woodstock Union High School senior, perform important tasks that help the facility run efficiently and improve the health of the animals in its care. While they are not trained in veterinary care, they help maintain an orderly and clean facility.

“We walk dogs, clean food bowls, fold laundry and socialize with dogs and cats and help the humane society,”said Campisi, who has also volunteered at spay and neuter clinics at Lucy Mackenzie.

Inside Lucy Mackenzie, Robinson helps to fold freshly washed blankets in the laundry area. She grew up around animals and her interest was sparked during a career exploration event on animal training when she was in eighth grade.