Grace joined the VolunTEEN program as a junior, balancing her studies with regular shifts in the canine Adoption Center. She quickly found herself drawn to working with the dogs and helping potential adopters find the right match. “I love staying busy, and there’s always something to do,” she said. “But my favorite part is talking to people and helping them find the right dogs. I’ve gotten to know a lot of them, so when someone comes in looking for a certain type of pet, I can say, ‘That’s the one for you.’”
One adoption in particular stands out — her grandmother’s. Grace had been keeping an eye on Princess, a senior shepherd mix who had been returned twice through no fault of her own. When Grace’s grandmother mentioned she was ready to welcome a dog into her home, Grace introduced them. “Princess just had this sad look in her eyes at the shelter,” Grace said. “But the second she got home, she was running around and so happy. She’s doing amazing now.”
