Final Service Learning Blog
This service learning blog will discuss
the culmination of a volunteer service learning opportunity. The “Deal Model” format will be used to; (a) describe the
experience objectively, (b) examine the experience (personal growth, civic
engagement, and academic enhancement), and (c) show how the project has
articulated my learning as well as others (Ash & Clayton, 2004).
Overview
The overview or “big
picture” was one of assisting to spearhead, organize, and accomplish a project
to raise money for a worthy organization in a little rural community. Specifically the Northeastern Montana Pet
Rescue (NMPR) was the organization assisted.
Throughout the semester work has been done to put together a service
event to raise money for the NMPR. The
NMPR is the only pet rescue of its kind in Northeastern Montana (C. Ramsbacher,
personal communication, July 19, 2014).
The organization was started by one person, has grown over the past few
years, and is desperately in need of financial help. The NMPR is a non-profit, no kill organization that is
dedicated to the care, rehabilitation, and adoption of abandoned
domestic and feral animals brought into the facility by people in and around
the community. Since
the NMPR is non-profit, it receives no State or Federal funding and relies
solely on donations to cover the costs involved with the care of the animals at
the facility. Most of NMPR’s animals are
obtained by being dropped off at the facility after found wandering in the
community and surrounding areas. The
NMPR organizes medical care, including vaccines and free spay and neuter
services, places animals in safe and secure adoptive homes, and has a small pet
food bank for animals in need. All animals
at NMPR are checked by a vet, vaccinated (age appropriate), and tested, treated
for fleas and spayed/neutered if old enough.
C. Ramsbacher (CEO) reports since the inception of NMPR all animals
brought to the facility have been safely placed in homes (personal
communication, July 19, 2014).
This volunteer service was chosen as the
DNP project I am working on relates to animals and how they can positively
enhance the quality of life for elders in a nursing home. To successfully put into place the DNP
project it is important to learn about animals related to immunizations, how to
handle them, and care for them. The
veterinarian who had envisioned the event is the doctor who has agreed to
assist with my DNP project. This
veterinarian had approached me in February, 2014 to see if I would help. I immediately agreed.
Doggie Dash
With the volunteer service chosen and
approved by faculty at Regis, planning for the event began. The name was chosen for the race by the
veterinarian who envisioned the event, naming it the “Doggie Dash.” The Doggie Dash was a 5k run/1 mile Fun
Run-Walk and was chosen as the fundraiser for the Northeast Montana Pet Rescue
to be held July 19, 2014. Little did I
know at the time what this project would include; networking that would be
needed, as well as personal pride and feelings of accomplishment that would
occur during and after completion of the project. The goals the veterinarian had in mind for
this volunteer service, which would hopefully turn into an annual event, were
to; (a) raise money and awareness for the local pet rescue (NMPR), and (b) provide
education to the community related to animal-human safety issues, the need to
spay and neuter animals, and overall awareness of the need in the
community. With those thoughts in mind,
the event was planned.
Recipients
of the Service
The community as a whole; humans and
animals. Animals are recipients as those
entering the “race” will be given immunizations if needed as part of the
entrance fee. This is important as
non-immunized animals carry and can spread diseases to humans as well as other
animals. Animals are recipients as monies received from the race will be used
to assist with humane care of the animals at the shelter until placed for
adoption. Humans are recipients as they will
benefit from exercise, fresh air, socialization, and improving their
community. The community as a whole will
benefit by having a “safer” environment with less “stray” animals roaming about
that could pose a community health problem.
Specific Leaning
Objectives
Three objectives were chosen for the
volunteer service which were similar to the veterinarian’s reasons and
objectives mentioned above and are:
- Observe
and document how people interact with others and their animals. Note and document the size, age, and
overall demeanor of all dogs in attendance (which will also assist me in
my capstone project).
- Work
will be done with Dr. McAllister, the veterinarian involved, in
formulating the pilot race registration forms related to animals and
humans in a road race.
- Specific immunizations required for animals for their safety, other animals around them, and humans will be examined, understood, and discussed with human participants (this is also important as I will need to do this for my capstone).
Examining
this experience in light of the specific learning objectives, all three
objectives were accomplished. Collaboration
which included networking with many ancillary people in the community, as well
as the local civic center, medical community, media, and volunteers needed to
organize, run, and complete the event was positively done.
Personal
Experience Perspective
The need to help, not
only humans but animals made this event a positive experience for me. As with each volunteer service done, I feel
humbled to be allowed to help those in need.
I was unaware the importance of having an animal shelter in our
community, and how many animals are in the shelter. I also have a new respect for veterinarians
and those who work with animals. The
need for the DNP project I am doing and my belief in doing the project were
strengthened by assisting in this event.
Animals are an important part in peoples’ lives; emotionally,
physically, and socially. Documenting
the event related to interaction of people with their animals, as well as those
around them at the event strengthened my resolve for doing my DNP project. Unconditional love was seen between the
animal and their owners who were from many “walks of life.”
Networking, while working on the event, was a positive experience. Local businesses were approached for
donations, as well as the medical community and media. On a side note, I was also able to discuss my
DNP project with those involved in the event with encouragement for both this
fundraiser, and my DNP project.
Specifically the roles played by the DNP in promoting health and
wellness in this group of humans and animals is through networking and
education. I was actively involved in
organizing those involved in donating, assisting, and providing help as needed
for the event. Education was done by
discussing with all participants, as well as the media, the importance to be
aware of feral animals and the communities’ health.
Civic Perspective Experience
The volunteer service
was to assist both the community as a whole, and the unwanted safety issues
involved with feral animals in the community.
Symptoms and causes of problems related to these areas were discussed
throughout the process of planning and organizing the event, from beginning to
end. The focus of the event was
appropriate as awareness to the problem was brought forth to the community,
education was given to those attending the event as well as to the entire
community.
The roles played by those involved were
suitable, timely, and necessary.
Volunteers and organizations who had donated items for the event, as
well as medical people involved were accessible and agreeable to assist as
needed throughout the process.
Volunteers were assigned areas based on their desire to help; stuffing
doggie bags, manning the snow-cone booth, guiding runners, and cleaning up
after the event. Organizations were generous
in donating water, fruit, and free items for the event to be put in “goodie
bags” for participants of the race.
Medical people, specifically emergency personal were available as
needed. All individuals worked
collaboratively with no hidden agendas brought forth, and no problems
verbalized. No power differentials were
seen, as all involved were there for the common goal of the project. The community came together to provide
assistance as requested, donations and support for the project and ultimately
the NMPR.
Leadership was shown during the project
and the day of the race by shuttling people along, signing up runners, and assisting
as needed with post-race procedures.
There were no “power struggles” noted, among those involved with the
event. The common good was seen by all
involved, with no “trade-offs” needed.
This experience brought forth feelings of good-will and companionship
among all involved from the organizers to those who donated to participants.
Future Needs and Culmination of
Semester
This first ever, now to
be an annual event, was positive with all objectives met. Notes were taken during the event, with only
minor changes needing to be made for next year’s fundraiser. A few changes will be; (a) a table with
educational material for both humans and animals, (b) small watering stations
for small dogs, as only large watering stations were available, and (c)
handouts put into the “goodie” bags related to services in the community
related to animal and human care.
This semester the most challenging thing that happened was working on
finding ways to accomplish the hours needed for the DNP degree. On the other hand, the semester was
successful in; (a) uniting
people from diverse backgrounds to work toward a common goal,
(b) building camaraderie by instilling teamwork,
and (c) understanding the community needs that fostered empathy and
self-efficacy.
Reference
Ash, S. L., & Clayton, P. H. (2004). The
articulated learning: An approach to guided reflection
and
assessment. Innovative Higher Education, 29(2), 137-154.
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