Why former nurse Wildgoose is enjoying her volunteer work with RSPCA despite fading eyesight
This Grandmother and former nurse has ignored her own eyesight problems to volunteer with the RSPCA to help animals. I ‘just get on with it’ she says.
Rouse Hill
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GRANDMOTHER Avril Wildgoose is not letting her fading eyesight prevent her from doing something good for the community.
This sprightly Beaumont Hills local and former nurse volunteers at the RSPCA Care Centre at Rouse Hill, said she wanted to get involved with their work.
“I had to give up my work a few years ago due to my eye condition and had plenty of time on my hands,” the 65-year-old Mrs Wildgoose said.
It’s just the sort of selfless attitude that will be celebrated on DoSomething Day on July 19 to promote volunteering, highlight charity work and inspire random acts of kindness.
“I was keen to volunteer after we moved here from England.
“We do also look after guide dog puppies when their owners go away or are ill and I love interacting with pets and people.
“Regarding my eye sight, I just get on with it.
“Getting to the RSPCA centre is no problem as I can walk there in about 15 minutes.”
Meanwhile, RSPCA Care Centre staffer Carmen Stephens said that being with animals and helping them find forever homes is one of the best jobs in the world.
The Penrith local is one of the dedicated staffers at RSPCA Care Centre at Rouse Hill and has been handling animals ever since she was a child.
On a regular week, the centre, which is run by staffers and volunteers, will have 30 kittens, six adult cats, five dogs and several small animals, including rabbits and guinea pigs.
“I grew up on a farm in South Maroota where my family had lots of dogs, chickens, ducks etc, while there were also bush animals,” Ms Stephens said.
“I have always loved animals and I wouldn’t do anything else.
“I have tried a few things in life including working in childcare and hospitality but the job with the RSPCA is the best.”
Ms Stephens, who completed a TAFE certificate 2 in animal studies before joining RSPCA seven years ago, says she gets happiness by working with animals.
“I get a lot of satisfaction from seeing our pets find their homes though sometimes it is emotionally hard to see goodbye to an animal you have grown close to,” Ms Stephens said.
“It’s wonderful that our animals find homes and owners often send us pictures and updates of the animals or even bring them over for a visit.
“If anyone likes to work with animals, they should start by volunteering at an animal centre to see if they like it.”
The RSPCA Care Centre at Rouse Hill, which looks after abandoned or unwanted pets, has re-homed more than 4890 animals since it opened in 2009.
What Carmen, other staffers and volunteers do during a typical day at the RSPCA Care Centre:
A morning routine starts with coming in and checking on all the animals, then being to take each dog out for a toilet walk — sometimes its raining or lately freezing so this isn’t always fun. Then feeding everyone their breakfast and cleaning each animal’s enclosure.
Some will require medications or special attention like basic training and doing some environment enrichment for them
After all that is done in the morning we move into retail and customer service. Doing adoptions of our animals can be a big part of the day and meet and greets with clients pets and ours is an important part of that.
Details: 8883 0622
WHAT IS DO SOMETHING DAY?
Do Something Day on July 19 is Australia’s biggest celebration of volunteering in our communities, recognising the extraordinary contributions made by everyday locals. It seeks to inspire people to make a difference and give back by volunteering, making a donation or carrying out a simple random act of kindness.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED?
There are endless ways you can help others - and you don’t need to wait until Dosomething Day to start. However, as July 19 is the focal point of this celebration, it would be great to turn your attention to it on that day. Let the “kind-o-miser” generate a kind deed sugestion for you to do. Try our Do Something Day Quizwhich will help match you with a charity that reflects your ideals.
ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Tweet, Instagram or Facebook a picture that captures the spirit of kindness and generosity on Do Something Day - and use the hashtags #dosomethingday and #giveyourbest. It could be a picture of a volunteers at charity you are already involved with. It could be a picture acknowleding someone in your community who selflessly works for others. It could be a snap of the nice person who serves your coffee every day with a smile. so many ways to to acknowledge the kindness in our community.
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