Written by Lisa Cava
Nellie Sierra, 76, lives on West 68th Street with her dog Django, 11, a 60-pound pit bull/German shepherd mix. Sierra, a divorced mother of two adult children, retired from her retail job and is staying in her home apartment because she has mobility issues. is also common. Django provides love and companionship.
“Django is my family. He sticks with me,” Sierra told Westside Rag in a phone interview. But arthritis and spinal stenosis, which affects his back and hips, make walking his dog difficult. “He pulls. He's strong, so it became harder and harder for me to make him walk,” Sierra said. And hiring Walker was too expensive for Sierra's budget.
Sierra's dilemma was solved when a friend told her about PAWS NY, a nonprofit organization that helps volunteers care for the pets of the elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged. Those who qualify can receive free services such as dog walking, dog sitting, cat litter changing, and general pet care.
Now, one of Django's regular walkers is PAWS NY volunteer (and Upper West Sider) and attorney Beth Schwartz. He had a dog for many years. When Schwartz's dog passed away, her work and travel demands prevented her from getting back into the fold right away. Volunteering to care for other people's pets seemed ideal.
“I love dogs, and Django is such a sweet guy,” Schwartz told Rags. “He's very friendly and a very special person.” She enjoys spending time outdoors with Django and enjoying breaks from work. “Walking through Django and stepping away from my laptop helps me clear my head,” she said. Sierra is grateful for her help and she shows it. “Nellie thanks me every time I pick Django up for a walk,” Schwartz said. “She gives me little presents on holidays.''
Rachel Herman, executive director of PAWS NY, founded the nonprofit organization in 2008 while a graduate student at New York University. PAWS, which stands for “Pets Are Wonderful Support,” was inspired by a homeless couple and their dog that Herman saw on his way to class each day.
“At the time, shelters didn't allow pets, so it pained me to think that someone would give up their warm bed at night to be with their dog,” Herman told West Side Rug. Told. “I started thinking about seniors. As they get older, caring for their pets may become more difficult for some people,” Herman said, while working at the ASPCA in development. Pursuing the idea, he eventually raised the funding to make it a full-time job in 2012.
PAWS volunteers may also take on additional responsibilities, such as providing foster care or assisting with veterinary visits. Victoria Leon, the group's program manager, acts as an intermediary between volunteers and clients. She discusses needs with PAWS clients, coordinates volunteer shifts, schedules veterinary visits, and arranges foster care. “My role allows me to witness the importance of the human-animal bond,” Leon told Rags. “You can also connect with some amazing volunteers who are truly making an impact with their kindness and dedication.”
Another PAWS customer, Rosa Oran, 79, is a former security guard who lives on West 102.n.d. Street and Amsterdam, with my son Julio Perez, who is partially paralyzed and in a wheelchair, and our 5-year-old Labrador retriever mix, Clover. When Oran was recently hospitalized for three nights, Leon contacted one of his Clover volunteers, Jennifer Berman of Upper West His Cider, and asked if Clover could stay with the Berman temporarily. . “It was a pleasure to host Clover,” Berman said. “Rosa is a loving and caring pet mom, and Clover is good-natured and loves everyone. When I started walking him in December 2021, I instantly fell in love with him. ”
Due to Oran's back and leg problems and Julios' disability, neither Oran nor Perez can walk the clover. A social worker connected them to his PAWS. “Jennifer and the other PAWS volunteers are angels on earth,” Perez said. “Thanks to them, we can protect our clover.”
When Clover went to the vet 12 blocks from home, Berman drove him there. “I don’t have the leg strength to do it,” Oran said. “It means a world where I can trust Jennifer.”
Birman and Orlan often sit and chat after their walks. “I tell Rosa about our adventures: playing with other dogs, throwing sticks to catch them, rolling around in the snow, etc.'' Rosa calls me a member of her family. It makes me feel like.”
Beth Schwartz, a Django walker, said, “Helping people keep their beloved pets at home is extremely rewarding.”
Berman added: “This job is very rewarding because you get to build relationships with the clients and the dogs.”
Victoria Leon says PAWS NY is always in need of volunteers. She loves dogs and cats, and if you have the time and think you might be interested, click here.
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