Daniela first got involved with Happy Paws Rescue when two of her former teachers (also volunteers) told her about the group. Daniela had always loved animals—especially dogs—so she was really excited to help.

Daniela updates and decorates the “adoptables” bulletin board at our adoption-day events. She also helps out at these events by holding the larger dogs, especially our pit bulls. Daniela attends Happy Paws special events and recently fundraised for the group by gathering a group of her friends to bag groceries at Shop Rite in exchange for donations from customers. And she does all this while being a high-school student!

What’s the most important thing Daniela has learned as a result of her time with Happy Paws? “Volunteering really changed my opinion of pit bulls,” she said. “I was a little wary of pit bulls when I started volunteering, but then Bugsy, a pit bull mix that was up for adoption, changed that. After I fell in love with Bugsy, I found myself falling in love with every pit bull after that. I started standing up for the breed when people judged them unfairly.”

On behalf of Happy Paws Rescue (and pit bulls everywhere!), we’d like to thank Daniela for all of her hard work!