Jackie: Why I Volunteer

April 20 – 27, 2013 is National Volunteer Appreciation Week – and we have a special appreciation for the volunteers who help us here at our clinic in Waynesboro!  Scores of volunteers donate their time and services at the Wildlife Center in a variety of ways – cleaning animal enclosures, feeding orphaned wildlife, assisting the veterinarians with daily treatments, transporting patients to and from the Center, and more!

As we honor our hard-working volunteers this week, we asked them:  Why do you volunteer at the Center?  What keeps you coming back?  Throughout this week we’ll share their responses on our blog.  

Interested in volunteering with us?  Learn more!

Our first post is from Treatment Team volunteer Jackie. Jackie has been volunteering with us since 2011:

Why do I volunteer at the Wildlife Center of Virginia?  Two years ago I needed a new place to volunteer because my daughter had left the nest, finished graduate school, and was planning to be married ... it was time to "cut the cord" and I had “empty nest syndrome.”

I looked around at several different places and chose WCV for several reasons – one, I work in human health care, so I needed a break from that and, two,  I have always loved birds,  especially owls,  so I can get my fill of birds and then some at WCV.

I never imagined how fulfilling this volunteer job would be. It is great to work with the "patients" but what is the true highlight of WCV is working with the students that are finishing up their education and starting a career. I have met and still keep in contact with so many interesting individuals from all over the United States and beyond. It is somewhat of a revolving door and it is a little sad to say goodbye so many times to so many people but it is so uplifting to see the confidence that is gained in the short time these students intern at WCV.

I really enjoy my Mondays and Thursdays at the Wildlife Center and hope to volunteer here for many more years!!

Read more from our other volunteers on our blog!