Puppies make everything better

 

Seeking a furever home (Goochland County image)

Animal shelters tend to be places where lost and abandoned pets are taken in hopes of adoption, perhaps given some medical care. There are often underfunded and run by people who do the best they can with what they have.

Goochland, of course, is different. Companion animals from hamsters to horses are an important part of our lives. The county law enforcement division dealing with critter issues is called Animal Protection. When our former animal shelter did not meet state standards, the late Rebecca T. Dickson, then county administrator, created a public/private partnership to build a new one.

This initiative gave birth to an organization called Goochland Pet Lovers https://www.goochlandpetlovers.com/ that raised more than $1.5 million for a beautiful new shelter. The building was just the start. Services, including veterinary care for need based non-emergency veterinary care and an adoption center attracted a dedicated corps of intrepid volunteers that continue to broaden the mission of GPL and donate freely of their time, talents, and treasure to make the organization succeed.

Richard Verlander, Vice President of GPL, spoke to Goochland Supervisors at their December 3 meeting about its education initiative “Teaching Kindness.” He also mentioned the Dr. Lori Elliott Medical Fund, which raises money to supplement county funds and provide veterinary services, including to those who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Elliott, a veterinarian, is president of GPL and has given freely of her time and skill to county animals.

The teaching kindness program, said Verlander, partners with county schools to talk to students about animal welfare and related topics.  The sessions were fun and informative and made possible by community volunteers with an “abiding love for animals and kids.” The concept morphed into a program for third graders. It is a six-week program that ends with a visit to the shelter, which “went really well,” said Verlander.

Partnering with his wife Kathy, who also played an important role in the creation of GPL, Verlander wrote a book entitled “The Shelter Gang and their secret adventure” (https://www.dementimilestonepublishing.com/all-books-2/the-shelter-gang-and-their-secret-adventure). This tells the story of shelter residents who sneak out to play baseball—an important element in the Verlander family—and wind up needed to be rescued again. Characters are based on real shelter residents. The tale illustrates how teamwork brings differing gifts together for a happy ending.

GPL partnered with schools during the summer session to not only teach kindness, but teamwork and emphasize to children that it takes all kinds of participants with different skills to succeed.

“We talk about how everyone has something unique about them that they’re good at and can bring to the team,” said Verlander. GPL brought dogs, cats, service dogs, a canine deputy from the Goochland Sheriff’s Office, pigs from Swine Knot, horses from Deep Run Hunt, and exotic animals to help kids understand the message.

Next summer, announced Verlander, GPL with partner with schools for an animal camp, which will include participation from a search and rescue team. “It’s all about empathy, kindness, and togetherness, like building a community.”

Verlander alluded to the full house in the boardroom, waiting for a controversial public hearing about a proffer amendment. “These board meetings will never get contentious if you bring in a kid and a puppy and see what happens. Differences just melt away.”

Verlander said that he and Kathy have visited schools in other neighboring counties and pronounced Goochland Schools first rate.

Board Chair Charlie Vaughters, District 4, congratulated Verlander and GPL for their good work and wondered aloud, eyeing the restive crowd, if Verlander could find a puppy.

The Goochland Animal and Adoption Center at 1900 Hidden Rock Lane, just off Fairground Road will reopen after the holiday on Thursday, December 26. Go to https://www.goochlandva.us/299/Animal-Protection for more information or follow them on Facebook, Goochland Animal and Adoption Center to see pets looking for their furever homes.