Service Learning Project Summary

For my service learning project, as you know, I chose to work with Animal Safehouse. What I planned to accomplish was to help spread the word of this new organization through word of mouth as well with being a foster. I chose this organization because I learned how many women do not get out of an abused relationship because they are worried about where their pets will stay, and it ends up being fatal. Women should not have to worry about their pets when they are trying to seek shelter, and Animal Safehouse is a great organization that is trying to make a difference.

            My biggest success was fostering Scrappy, a six month old Chiuaua. His owner was seeking shelter, and was absolutely not going to go in unless they found a foster for him. When I talked to Arielle she said that I was the thirteenth person she had called, and was so thankful I could help, and so was I. Knowing that doing this one little favor, something as simple and watching a puppy, made a huge difference in a woman’s life. My goal was to make a difference in at least one person’s life, and I know that I did. There were limitations to this project as well though. Since the shelter is based in Melbourne, there were times when Arielle needed a transporter, and I could not be there because of school or work. So for the most part, I accomplished my goal in helping someone in need, and spreading the word through my actions.

            The institutional framework I worked with was family and government. There was an act of domestic violence within Scrappy’s owner’s family, so she chose to seek shelter through a shelter. Animal Safehouse connects with families to resolve what can lead to a dangerous situation. Animal Safehouse also connects with families to get the word out about their organization to help as many people as possible.

            Before this class, I did not personally see or hear about domestic violence. Of course I knew it happened, but I did not know how big the issue really was. So many women are physically or emotionally abused in relationships and the issue goes unnoticed. I have never been involved in volunteer work like this, and it really hit hard. I was told that I was picking up Scrappy from another Animal Safehouse volunteer, but when I got there, I met the woman who was being abused. That moment changed me forever. I read about domestic violence in the text, but never was there a connection until that day. What I had read about in the text was real, and it does happen. In Scrappy’s owner’s situation, the issues in the text were definitely upheld. And in experiencing something so tragic like this first hand, broke my heart.

            I hope that my audience has learned that even if domestic violence has not happened to you or someone you know, it is still very real and the issue needs attention.