Congratulations Maureen McGowan, named Intern of the Week

Name:Maureen McGowan

Internship, Co-op or Research Site: Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter

Position Title: Volunteer Dog walker/Socializer

Major(s)/Minor(s): Psychology

Expected Graduation Year:Fall 2016

Briefly describe your internship, co-op,  or research opportunity, including your day-to-day tasks, responsibilities, and assignments.

The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) cares for hundreds of stray, abandoned, and surrendered dogs and cats. As a dog volunteer I focus on walking the dogs, keeping them active, and giving them the social attention they need. On an average day I will go in and first check to see if any puppies have been brought in who need to go out, then I check on dogs who are housebroken or have just been taken off of stray hold. Stray hold means that dogs that are found as strays, have a 3 day probation period where they cannot be walked or taken into care by volunteers. During this time, the owner can claim back their dog. Then after these dogs have gone out, I walk the average healthy dogs in the shelter. Some of the more active dogs I take to the play yard and have them run off-leash. After healthy dogs have been cared for, I go into the sick- area. Here I have to put on throw-away scrubs and gloves before taking each dog out.

Describe the process of obtaining your internship, research, or co-op opportunity.

I got this service-learning opportunity through the Shriver Center as well as through the Honor's College. I had been looking for a course for Honor's 390 which was a volunteer course. I went to the Shriver Center and asked if there were any openings at BARCS because I have heard about their work in the past and was very interested. I was then put into contact with the student coordinator. She said she did not have any more spots in the van left but would be able to provide me work on Saturdays if I could provide my own transportation. This is what I decided to do and I drive myself and a friend of mine each week to the shelter. Because there are very few dog volunteers on Saturdays, my friend and I were able to be trained upon our second week at BARCS and started work quickly.

What have you enjoyed the most about your position or organization/company?

I have enjoyed working with the different types of dogs the most while volunteering at BARCS. I find animals that are completely resilient to the way they have been treated and turn into incredible pets. I also find it wonderful to meet people who have the same passion for volunteering that I do.

How do you believe you have made an impact through your work?

I feel that I have made an impact through my work by giving dogs the type of attention and love they deserve. Each volunteer that the animals interact with makes them more accepting of human contact and more friendly towards people. The ultimate goal is to make them comfortable around people and make them adoptable.

What advice would you give to another student who is seeking an internship or similar experience?

I would tell them to be ready for challenges but that the work is rewarding. Before I began to work at BARCS, I thought taking care of dogs would be easy. I am a huge animal person. But when I got there, I found dogs that were a bit more challenging to walk and train. However, working there longer has showed me how far animals can come and that they will find a happy and fitting home.