Hannah Boorse – Ringwood EMS

“I was very nervous when I heard the radio say “Request for EMT at…” but I also felt a rush of adrenaline. Since I live so close to the Ambulance Corps it wasn’t long until I made it and began riding to the scene. As we were driving, the EMT gave me the rundown of this type of call, explained to me the specific steps that we were going to take, and the equipment that we were going to need to bring in. When we arrived at the scene, I followed the EMT to the patient and he began taking vitals and asking questions. I stood with him, observing, holding the jump kit and Zoey machine for him. With the help of a police officer, the EMT carried the patient down in a stair chair and put them on the stretcher. We began driving to the hospital and I was able to sit in the back of the rig, still observing.”

Natalie Centurione - West Milford Animal Shelter
A thing that surprised me about volunteering was that I did not expect to like it so much. When I first started I really didn't want to go but after my first day, volunteering became the best part of my week. I love the cats and I am so happy I started this program. I only go twice a week but I think I am going to try to go on weekends when I am less busy. So much happens everyday and I can be gone for 3 days and so many cats will either come in or be adopted and I want to start being there when these things happen. 

Keira Dalton – Ringwood EMS

"Being an EMT is a very hard job because you have to make sure the scene is safe and that you keep the patient and yourself safe too. During each of the calls that I went on this month, I usually take patient vitals and demographics, operate the stretcher, transfer patients over to hospital care."

Timothy Kenny - Bloomingdale Community Animal Shelter

"Overall, I really like what I’m doing and I’m really comfortable with my coworkers and all the animals. Also, I am very surprised and proud of myself because before I was volunteering here, I didn’t know how to do laundry, clean cat’s litter boxes, or how to fold clothes really."

Morgan Uhlhorn – BASS Animal Shelter

“I help take the dogs in and out of their crates, bring them into the correct yards, ensure all the gates are clipped, give certain dogs food as needed, help do the laundry, and of course, play with the dogs! My main task is to play with the dogs as this helps to socialize them, and get them used to new people. I am the videographer for the shelter and Instagram account manager. I love all those dogs like they are my own, and I consider them my best friends.”