Bideawee Tails from a Volunteer
Meet Fran Kravitz
by Florence Scarinci
Enter the front doors of the Bideawee building in Wantagh and walk past the receptionist, turn right, then go straight and you will be in the office of the new Pet Therapy Program Coordinator, Fran Kravitz.
I have known Fran for many years and was happy to hear that she was hired to fill the recently vacated Pet Therapy Coordinator's position. Recently, I dropped in to her office to welcome her and asked her the following questions so that members of the Bideawee community could get a little insight on what makes Fran such a perfect fit the position and Bideawee.
Florence: I know you have spent many years in volunteer work. Please talk about your experiences, particularly those involved with animals.
Fran: I have worked for nonprofits, specifically in volunteer management, beginning in early the 90's. I began as a volunteer myself at an organization that breeds, trains, and places service dogs with people who have disabilities other than blindness. It was there that my interest in volunteer management and coordination was nurtured. From there I went on to work at Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York in their volunteer department. I also managed the volunteer arm of the 2009 Clinton Global Initiative and for the past three years have worked at the Elizabeth Rose Consulting Firm which specializes in nonprofit fundraising events such as Goldie Hawn's Mind Up Foundation Launch and Global Green's Annual Sustainable Design Awards in New York City.
Florence: That is quite an impressive resume. What attracted you to Bideawee?
Fran: I have known about Bideawee since I was young and have always known that Bideawee is a leader in humane education as well as being one of the finest and most caring shelters in the country. I have such a belief in the way Bideawee treats the animals that I've adopted from Bideawee. Having the opportunity to blend my volunteer management skills with my love of animals and animal assisted therapy is a dream come true.
Bideawee has been a leader in responsible pet ownership and therapy animal work for number of years. What goals/vision do you have to expand these programs and institute new ones?
Fran: I hope to be able to continue to grow the Pet Therapy Program by bringing in new volunteers while reaching out to new facilities so that we can grow the program's footprint and impact more lives. I want to expand the outreach program with our volunteers so that they can be ambassadors that are well equipped to make presentations about Bideawee's message of responsible pet ownership in schools, libraries, etc. so that Bideawee is more deeply ingrained in the communities we serve.
Those are noteworthy goals. I think I speak for the volunteers who are ready and willing to help you accomplish them. I think our volunteers would like to know a little about you as a person and although I can attest to your culinary skills (I have had the good fortune of sampling Fran's delicious jellies and homemade bread). What else would you like people to know about you?
Fran: My husband Rick and I have been married for 25 years. We have a 21 year old daughter, Jessica and three stepchildren. We share our home with a beautiful 5 year old German Shepherd, Misha, and an aging Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Oberon, fondly referred to as "The Little Man." I enjoy working my Misha in obedience training and in addition to baking, I am an avid knitter and gardener.
A few weeks after this interview, I was in Fran's office working with her on a presentation about Bideawee's Pet Therapy Program. It was evident that Fran has jumped right in and is already elbow deep in implementing new ideas. Good luck, Fran. May you have many happy, productive years at Bideawee.
Meet Fran Kravitz
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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?
