Bideawee Tails from a Volunteer
This month Florence sits down with Bideawee's new Wantagh Pet Therapy Coordinator, Kim Keith.
by Florence Scarinci
Kimberly Keith is the new Pet Therapy Coordinator in Wantagh. She is a young woman with a smiling face and a contagiously positive attitude. I recently stopped by to introduce myself and my therapy dog, Coach. I asked her the following questions and after reading her answers, I am sure you will agree that she is going to do great things in her new position.
Florence: I know you have worked in animal welfare and in shelters. Tell me about your experiences.
Kim: I joined the Bideawee team in September 2008 when I became a Client Care Coordinator at the Adoption Center at Bideawee in Westhampton. Being a Client Care Coordinator gave me the opportunity to learn about the organization through a variety of diverse experiences. I was able to work at the front desk where I interfaced with the community taking incoming calls from those looking to adopt or to surrender their pets. I provided advice to pet lovers that were searching for a pet and shared in their excitement when I worked with them to finalize their paperwork that consummated their adoption. Naturally, I fell in love with a lot of animals in Westhampton and it's an incredible rewarding to get pictures from their adopters and seeing them in their “furever” home. My experience in Westhampton helped shape my professional perspective because I learned so much about animal behavior and responsible pet ownership. It provided me with an ideal blend of education and experience so that I can better serve pets and the people that love them.
In September 2010, I transferred to the Adoption Center at Bideawee in Manhattan where I became one of a select number of Bideawee Matchmakers. A Bideawee Matchmaker has a comprehensive knowledge of all of the animals at the Adoption Center and is the essential component in matching animals in need with the person or family that will provide them the perfect loving home. When I was working in Manhattan a four month old puppy named Norman was found wandering the streets with a broken jaw. When he arrived at Bideawee the staff hand fed him wet food to help his jaw heal and to help prevent resource guarding and to promote bonding with people. After a few days socializing and caring for Norman we developed an incredibly strong bond and I knew that he was coming home with me. He's been my constant companion since last April when I adopted him. He's such a sweetheart despite his time of neglect. But isn't that how it seems to be a lot of the time?
Florence: Bideawee has been a leader in responsible pet ownership and pet therapy work. What goals/vision do you have to expand these programs and institute new ones?
Kim: I hope to schedule new presentations on responsible pet care. I recently put together a presentation for an upcoming Temple Fair event. I think it's important to do these presentations for children, as well as adults. Bideawee has been creating innovative partnerships to make Wantagh a vital hub for animal lovers in central Long Island. As the Wantagh Campus for Pets and People continues to evolve I want to expand on the event that we conduct on site.
Florence: Tell me about yourself. Feel free to tell me anything you wish.
Kim: I graduated from Salisbury University in Maryland in 2008 with a degree in Communications. One of my course assignments required that all students in the class pick a topic of interest and explore a way to help an organization. I chose animal welfare because I am passionate about it. I worked part time at a restaurant and was able to organize and host a fundraising dinner there. I also helped at events and did a stuffed animal and linen drive on campus to benefit the Wicomico Humane Society where I volunteered. As a college student, it was a great experience and the ideal way for me to learn how I could impact the lives of animals in need post graduation and seeing Bideawee made me realize what a bright, innovative shelter could be.
I have been blown away by the Pet Therapy Volunteers. I was expecting this to be heartwarming work, but I wasn't expecting the volunteers to be so committed and so generous with their time and talents. When I send out a request for an event, the response is almost instantaneous with offers to staff the event and suggestions on how to make it better, easier or get triple the amount of attendees that we need. I have gone on a few site visits with the therapy teams and have seen first hand what great work everyone does. I couldn't be more proud than I currently am to be a part of a wonderful organization that is dedicated to create deeper and richer relationships between pets and the people that love them.
Florence: I really enjoyed talking to Kim and as you can see she brings experience and enthusiasm to her position. I know I speak for the pet therapy volunteers when I say we look forward to a long, happy, and productive relationship.
January is National Train Your Dog Month
Holiday Gift
Four-legged Alarm Clock
Meet Fran Kravitz
September is Responsible Dog Ownership Month
The Person Behind The Volunteers
The Grandkitty Grows
Can a Racing Dog become a Therapy Dog?
My New Grandkitty
Dog's Lives are Too Short. Their Only Fault Really
Not Just Another Pretty Face
Pet Therapy in the Classroom
Mothers and Daughters Bonding Through Bideawee
Sixth Sense
The Content of Her Character
All in a Day's Work
Size Does Not Count---or Pocket Pets as Therapy Animals
ON THE ROAD AGAIN WITH PET THERAPY
READING TO DOGS - IT WORKS!!!
BAW SENIOR DOG FOR A SENIOR
PET THERAPY - NOT JUST FOR GOLDEN RETRIEVERS ANYMORE
BIDEAWEE: A NEW VERSION OF READING TO DOGS
AN UNSCHEDULED THERAPY DOG VISIT
BIDEAWEE DOGS and CATS GO GREEN
BAD ECONOMY BAD FOR DOGS AND CATS
LIFE GOES ON: Bideawee's Pet Loss Support Group
A Therapy Dog at College Teaches Important Lessons
Part 2: ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG: Joys and Challenges
ADOPTING AN OLDER DOG: Joys and Challenges
The Cat Who Changed My Life
The Lonely Cat's Best Friends
Therapy Benefits: What's In It for Me?
