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Meet Kathleen! She’s a spectacular volunteer who started volunteering
with AFA in November 2008 at the age of 24 after coming across a volunteer
flyer at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills. She read it and
was immediately interested! She comes out on Tuesdays or Wednesdays to care
for the animals, but you name it, she’s done it! Kathleen is also one of our
volunteer trainers and welcomes helpers on Tuesdays and Wednesdays! Although
she says that all of the animals are a joy to work with, she admits that 17
year old cougar Goliath is her favorite.
I asked Kathleen what her favorite part about
volunteering with AFA is and she responded, “Playing with the exotics and
learning on a higher level than books can teach you.” But when asked what her
least favorite part about volunteering for AFA is, she said, “Learning first
hand that most of these Exotic ‘Pets’ are far from good pets to own. Being an
animal lover I have considered owning just about every animal I’ve worked with.
After working with them you learn which ones make good pets and which ones make
terrible pets.”
Asked, how is AFA different from other places you’ve
volunteered for in the past, Kathleen responded, “AFA treats their volunteers with
respect and makes them feel like family. I’ve volunteered for places that abuse
you mentally, physically, and emotionally. AFA is a joy to be affiliated with.”
Honestly, we feel that volunteers are the foundation of AFA. They are AFA. Without
them, AFA wouldn’t exist. And we do feel like volunteers are family, because they
give so much selflessly and demand nothing in return. Volunteers are truly special
people!
Kathleen’s most memorable moment is getting to bottle
feed our two baby Canada lynxes Juneau and Nakina. But she is not without her own
critters! She shares her Oak Lawn abode with a husband, 2 beautiful dogs, 3 degus
and a sugar glider (compliments of AFA). And she is a great mom to her pets!
Kathleen’s hobbies pretty much all revolve around her
pets. She goes hiking, biking, boating, skijoring, and mushing with her 2 Shepherds.
She also enjoys training and grooming her pets. She and her husband do charity events
mostly for children where they dress up as Joker and Harley Quinn from Batman: The
Animated Series. Although not affiliated with Warner Brothers or DC Comics they are
always a big hit with the children and comic book fans. Harley Quinn has two hyenas
in the show so many times Kathleen’s “babies” get to join them for these events
as well.
Kathleen is busy with two cool jobs! She works as a dog
handler for a company that works directly with urban wildlife. She also works for
a pet airline. But she’d really love to be an Animal Control Officer. Kathleen has
a lot of experience working with animals and has an AAS in Criminal Justice.
Kathleen further says, “We’d love for you to come join
us at Animals for Awareness. We are a fun team of individuals just trying to make
a difference.”
So, what do we have to say about Kathleen? Nothing but
good stuff!! It’s difficult to find reliable and consistent people who are dedicated
to the hard work that AFA presents. Kathleen has proven to be one of those rare gems!
We adore her. She is pleasant to be around, consistent and totally reliable.
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