Student Outreach & Student Testimonies

March 12th and 18th 2011 peace4paws was honored to visit AniPals, the animal advocacy club of Hackensack High School, Hackensack, New Jersey to discuss animals in research and the importance of sanctuary.  We were met by a group of 25 enthusiastic students, under the direction of Mrs. Cindi Ortiz.  Many people say they are too sensitive to learn about the plight of lab animals, but, under the direction of Mrs. Ortiz, the students listened to all the facts. Becoming aware of the situation affecting animals of research is just a temporary discomfort, but for the animals the varying levels of discomfort or deprivation is a round the clock reality. The students  expressed an intuitive understanding that the best place for our domesticated dogs and cats, for example, is in a loving home, not a laboratory.

Motivated to help the animals of research and related fields find sanctuary, the students raised money from their cookie sales to help provide food for the Songs of Hope Event, and many, including their leader, plan to attend.  The students enjoyed sampling all natural cleaning products.  But, above all they LOVED meeting BLACKIE! Everyone was glad that Blackie was rescued from a vet clinic where he was known as the "donor dog". Everyone enjoyed Blackie's company and we are all happy that Blackie is enjoying student outreach and just being a family pet.

May 15, 2019

“I found Peace4Paws while searching online for a volunteer based organization that I could join to satisfy my hours for my school service learning project. I sent in my volunteer application because from reading their website, they seemed like very nice people and a great cause.  I was impressed that their cause was so broad.  They included owner surrender dogs, high-kill shelter dogs, and retired research animals, including Cleo the horse. 

As soon as I sent my volunteer application in I was contacted and thanked.  I had three people from my school project group apply as well. They did their best to get us all working together.  Adoption counselor Sally Frank called all our references.  The President Jennifer Cece called me.  We spoke for a long time about my interests and abilities and what they had to offer. 

We learned a lot just from filling out the application.  It really was a job application, which is good experience. I was scared at first, but, I just plowed through it. 

Since starting working with Peace4Paws, I’ve have gone to an adoption event hosted in Allendale, New Jersey at the Allendale Veterinary Hospital.  Our team displayed fliers on our table, told people about the adoptable dogs and sold homemade dog biscuits.  We also hosted bake sales at my school with my group. They are healthy dog treats! We raised hundreds of dollars for donation to the Peace4Paws medical fund.  We actually really focused on helping one dog in particular, Nellie, who was stuck outdoors in a pen Monday – Friday for 24 hours a day.  A great many of the donations came in for her.

One of my group mates, Riley Boyle, also from Allendale, fostered that lovable Peace4Paws’ dog.  Nellie was as sweet and good natured as they said she would be. She needed a foster home for a little while until a permanent foster or adopter was found. I found out that temporary fosters were in great need and very valuable.  I will try to get more fosters.  

I was able to work with Peace4Paws on other things too.  I hung up fliers and worked on migrating the old website to the new website.  I actually posted my own testimony! 

In the process of doing these various jobs I learned a lot about the pressing issues we are having with homeless dogs in kill-shelters and in homes where they have been unwanted. The work Peace4Paws is doing is so beneficial to dogs.  I am so grateful to be able to work with such nice people at such a great organization. I have been inspired to keep working with Peace4Paws, even after this project because although I am only 14 in 2019 my help is really needed. I have had such a great experience and am sure I will continue having great experiences. Volunteering with Peace4Paws has been a great thing for me.  There is so much that needs to be and can be done for owner surrender dogs, high-kill shelter dogs and retired research animals. Any contribution small or big that anyone does towards this cause is helpful. I would recommend volunteering at Peace4Paws to anyone and everyone. My experience with them has been amazing and getting to work hands on with dogs like Nellie was an added bonus.”

October 7, 2018

Delaney was inspired to volunteer because she rescued her own dog Buttercup from abuse. Her favorite day in rescue was watching ten dogs go to their pre-approved forever homes at an adoption event at Thomaston Feed, River Vale. She also enjoys playing regularly with Jenny. She too has arrived to the foster home on very short notice with her mom to care for a dog in need, such as the black lab puppy Maggie who was returned. While Delaney is very talented with making social media adoption videos, when she grows up she aspires to be a veterinarian!!

Received our 2018 Distinguished Student Award For Volunteering Excellence 

Benefit Luncheon 2018

October 7, 2018

Senior high school student Dejua has on short notice walked, socialized and fostered dogs as well as attend adoption events. She applied to volunteer because it “truly hurts” that dogs suffer when “they deserve nothing but love”. Dejua helps Jenny, who needs to interact with people. She said “One thing I learned that was especially poignant was the fact that doing something so small can impact an animal in a huge way. Just throwing a ball around for them for an hour brings so much joy. I love that!” She says she is always recommending volunteering. “It is such a heartwarming experience that you can’t get anywhere else”.

Received our 2018 Distinguished Student Award For Volunteering Excellence 

Benefit Luncheon 2018

October 7, 2018

It was hearing about a litter of puppies and their mother who needed fostering through his high school Pascack Hills’s Animal Rights Club that drove Aidan to apply to Peace4Paws. He was a great Dad!

Aiden’s favorite experience “ when I took my third foster dog Olive to my neighbors’ house I saw her become a new dog. From timid and quiet, it was the first time she was really enjoying herself, and after that she opened up to everyone”. As for the future, Aidan said “ I have joined the Guiding Eyes Club at Cornell because of my experience with foster dogs and plan on being a trainer and raiser for seeing eye dogs.”

Received our 2018 Distinguished Student Award For Volunteering Excellence 

Benefit Luncheon 2018

October 7, 2018

Emily applied at 1 am on September 30, 2017 and had her phone interview with Jennifer about 1:30 in the morning. She knows there are dogs who really need help! So a few hours later she started doing lots of dog walking, socialization and social media. Her dogs included Maggie, Shylo, Jack and most notably Jenny. Emily has been very loyal to Jenny, visiting her a few times a week. She even attended training session for Jenny, to help get into the dog psyche. As for the future Emily said “when I grow up I want to be like Jennifer and foster dogs and start my own charity.”

Received our 2018 Distinguished Student Award For Volunteering Excellence 

Benefit Luncheon 2018

November 11, 2016

“I helped at events, walked an extremely active foster dog, a beagle named Bogo, every week, hung up signs around town to support Peace4Paws, and I helped train Bogo by taking him to a training class.”  Julia said. She also stated “I did research and I found Peace4Paws. Their volunteering hours also seemed the most flexible, so it was perfect.” And perfect it was, because she completed her required 50 hours for her Girl Scouts Silver Award and loved volunteering so much that she says she will continue to volunteer for Peace4Paws.

Julia’s mother, Annie Wechsler, supported her daughter throughout the entire experience. “I stood back and watched Julia help and never complain not even one time about her work with Peace4Paws,” said Annie. “She developed a love for the beagle Bogo, and felt badly for him because it took so long for him to get adopted . . . (She) would never hesitate to walk him even in pouring rain, frigid temperatures, even snow and icy conditions.”  And the now happily adopted Bogo was grateful for every opportunity with Julia and with other volunteers that took him on the extra hikes that he needed.

Received our 2016 Distinguished Student Award For Volunteering Excellence 

Tablescapes 2016

November 11, 2016

14 year old Kristina Gelber of Oradell has been volunteering with Peace4Paws for the past three years through her artwork, her website design assistance, attending events and distributing fliers.  Kristina says about volunteering, “so many animals in shelters, and many research animals in sanctuaries, we want them to have a real homes.”  These animals just want to love and be loved, and volunteers who work well with animals and people can help make that happen. 

Kristina’s mom, Regina Gelber sums up the volunteering experience well.  The volunteering requires a lot of interaction with people, talking to strangers about Peace4Paws and our mission, and or selling products to raise funds.   I think that it helps not only animals but also young adults like Kristina to engage the community and learn how to achieve the goals that they are passionate about when resources are limited.”    

Received our 2016 Distinguished Student Award For Volunteering Excellence 

Tablescapes 2016