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17 2013
Blue Mountain Humane Society partners animals with inmates
from HUMANE SOCIETY, page 1
“I just really miss my dog and I love animals, so I decided to go one day with a friend who goes a lot. You can walk the dogs, which is really important because they basically don’t get let out unless volunteers go. You can clean their kennels out and throw balls for them. It’s a good place. I know that,” she said. Volunteers and donations are crucial to the survival of this nonprofit organization. The staff’s commitment to creating a great environment for the animals is fantastic, but can be costly. They responsibly make sure that all the animals are spayed or neutered, current on their shots and microchipped before they can be adopted. “Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our operations, with the exception of surgery, from exercising pets to just socializing the animals to make sure that they’re keeping that humananimal bond strong, to helping in the office and filing. We have volunteers earn our trust to the point that they answer the phone and help with customers,” said Archer. For students who want to get more involved, there is a volunteer orientation. The orientation is unnecessary for anyone who wants to go to the shelter, but required if volunteers want to take the animals elsewhere. For example, orientated students may take dogs on
walks downtown with vests that say “Adopt me” or even just take the dogs on a run through the hills. “There’s no such thing as too many volunteers or a dog that gets walked too much at this time of year. There’s always some positive benefit to that interaction,” said Archer. The Humane Society also has a unique program that pairs dogs with inmates at the Washington State Penitentiary. The dogs live in the same quarters as the inmates, so they are with them 24/7, and the inmates keep journals on the dogs’ behavior. They get to spend 8 to 10 weeks training the dogs in basic obedience to make them more adoptable. In order to graduate, the dogs have to pass a “canine good citizen test.” The program allows both the dogs and inmates to create positive relationships. “It’s had a powerful impact on the lives of both the offenders and the dogs,” said Archer. “When we go to a graduation at the penitentiary, there’s not a dry eye in the place. I’ve received some of the most heart-wrenching letters from some of the inmates who have said watching the dogs learn to change their behavior has inspired them to change their behavior. I choose to believe that that’s the truth ... that lives are being transformed. And that’s just so cool.” More recently they have started sending cats to the pen-
itentiary as well. The program is now affectionately referred to as “Kitties in the Clink.” The Humane Society offers a lot to the community. They go above and beyond their goal of preventing cruelty and promoting kindness. The organization has created a Halloween program called “Dog-a-ween,” which is when the Human Society will go downtown to pass out dog treats for kids to take home to their puppies. However, their primary goal is still finding homes for animals in need. “We provide a safe environment for animals; there’s no question. But the shelter is no place for an animal. They get cared for, but that’s not what they’re meant for. They’re meant to be in homes with us. Our goal is always to get them placed in homes,” said Archer. Thomas believes that all the animals deserve a good home. “There’re a few funny ones. There’s one named Molly that is very funny-looking and I don’t think she gets out much, so I take her. They’re all really great dogs. If you just start petting them and give them some space, then they’ll start loving you,” said Thomas. The Humane Society is open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. “Invite anyone who is missing his or her [pet] at home to come over and get their fur fix,” said Archer.
Volunteers at the Blue Mountain Humane Society can complete an orientation to take the animals for walks outside of building. The nonprofit organization needs volunteers for all aspects of their operation, including office work. Photos by Barton
Pets provide companionship for off-campus students by Serena Runyan Staff Reporter
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enior Stefani Paladino always knew she wanted a dog and finally got her part German Shepherd mix, Abby, when she moved off-campus last September. For Paladino, there isn’t really a “hard” part to owning an animal in college. “When I first got her, there was an adjustment period for both of us, but once we got into a routine, it was pretty easy,” she said. And Paladino was certainly prepared for the responsibilities of owning a dog. “I’m really a dog person, so I knew I wanted one, and I did a lot of research on it and looked around at different dogs,” said Paladino. “When I met her she licked my face and
I just knew I had to get her.” The same can be said for junior Evan Griffis, proud owner of a hedgehog named Constantine. However, Griffis didn’t necessarily consider himself a hedgehog person before he bought Constantine. “It was a little impromptu,” said Griffis. “I was just wanting a pet, a companion. One day I was at home and I was on Craigslist and I stumbled upon this guy selling a hedgehog.” Griffis was heading up to Walla Walla for the summer, so he quickly had to decide if a hedgehog was right for him. “I was trying to gauge if this was a pet that could live in a fraternity. So I did a bunch of research, and I decided to get it.” Griffis ended up going to the owner’s home, a houseboat
Louie gives comfort at Counseling Center
When Associate Dean of Health & Wellness F. Thacher Carter came to Whitman, he brought his dog, Louie (above), to help raise spirits at the counseling center. Louie’s calm attitude makes him a great companion for stressed students. Photo by Barton
in Portland, and purchasing his hedgehog from a drugged-up man named Constantine, who became the hedgehog’s namesake. Of course caring for these two different animals requires different responsibilities from their owners. Paladino needs to be sure to give Abby exercise and attention. “We go on walks, we go around campus a lot and [to] Bennington Lake. I take her in my car when I go around town,” said Paladino. Luckily, Paladino’s housemates are excited about having a dog in their home. “They love her,” said Paladino. “And if I’m having a busy day or something, they’ll let her out.” Constantine, however, has a bit of a different attitude when it comes to lots of people. Because
he is a nocturnal animal, he’s relatively shy around other people. “That’s what hedgehogs are. They’re pretty solitary and individualistic. There’s a lot of negative preconceptions about hedgehogs because they’re just scared,” said Griffis. As a result, Griffis gets some good-natured jokes from other Phi Delta Theta students about his choice of pet. “The guys who live in the house with me think he’s the dumbest pet, like ‘you’re holding a cactus,’” he said. And there are some drawbacks to having such a reserved pet. “I had a long time of earning trust. For a long time I’d just hold a little quill ball for like an hour and nothing would happen, and that was a little disappointing,” said Griffis. ADVERTISEMENT
What’s more is that Griffis and Constantine only get to interact for a couple hours every night, since he’s asleep the rest of the day. “Usually I’ll wake him up around 11 [p.m.], play with him for an hour or two ... It’s a little sad that I really only interact with him at night,” said Griffis. Despite these drawbacks, Constantine’s solitary nature makes him a great companion. “My hedgehog and I are such a good match,” said Griffis. “We don’t need a ton of social interaction. I’ll just read with him, and he’ll just wander up and down my leg.” This sense of companionship is exactly what Paladino loves most about her dog. “The best part is when I’ve had a rough day, and I can come home and cuddle with her,” she said.