Sterling Student Shines at Animal Shelter

My Animal Shelter Experience
By Brielle Yakaski

My name is Brielle Yakaski, and I am a 15 year old student at Sterling High School.  I believe a common misconception that exists within this world today is one that recognizes teenagers as self-absorbed, unmotivated individuals.  However, I would like to assure everyone that is not true.  When I am not in class or studying, the majority of my free time is devoted to volunteering at the Animal Adoption Center (AAC) located in Lindenwold, New Jersey.  At the shelter I help with both cats and dogs.  I also help clean and do paperwork.  To say the least, it has been a very rewarding experience for me.  Every moment I spend caring for these abandoned animals that have nobody to care for them makes me feel as though I am truly making a different in both my community and the life of that animal.  Just as it can be rewarding, it can also be heartbreaking.  Given that the AAC is a no-kill shelter, we do not have enough space and accommodations for each animal that is brought in.  Therefore, we often have to turn down stray animals and people who can no longer care for their pets.  It breaks my heart.

                By spending so much time in the AAC, I fall in love with each animal that I encounter.  I try to give them the relationship they deserve.  When animals that I have worked with so closely get adopted, it is a bittersweet time for me.  I am sad, however at the same time I am also excited because I know they are not just going to a home, but the right home since our adoption process is carefully chosen.  One of these adoption monitors is my cousin, Lauren Palmer.  I owe my terrific experience to her hard work and willingness to help me become a part of the AAC organization.  This experience has also helped me recognize my passion and goal in life.  Eventually, my goal is to open a no kill animal shelter where all workers are volunteers just like me and no animal is refused.  I hope that many of these volunteers come from the teen community because they have what it takes to make a difference.  These animals need us, and that is why I will continue dedicating my time to the AAC.

For more information about the Animal Adoption Center in Lindenwold, NJ please see: http://www.animaladoption.com/