Has anyone ever dared you to challenge yourself to do something you’ve always wanted to do, or have been too scared to do, or just never gotten around to doing?
The boss dared some of the NewsChannel 3 anchors to “Dare Themselves” this week.
“I Dare Me” Week: Barbara Ciara faces one of her biggest fears
“I Dare Me” Week: Kurt dares himself to encounter creepy-crawly spiders!
Barbara and Kurt face their challenges earlier in the week. This time, it was Kristen's turn...
This week our boss challenged us to dare ourselves to do something we had never done before. Being an animal lover and growing up on a farm I wanted to dare myself with something that I had always wanted to do but never thought I could handle it emotionally.
I wanted to volunteer at the Virginia Beach SPCA.
I knew going in that I was going to cry, I just didn't know when and I wasn't prepared for the emotional strain it put on me through the day. I fought back tears several times and broke down and cried with a couple of special new furry friends.
The volunteers reassured me that it would get easier and just remember you are helping them on their path to a furever home. I had to repeat that to myself the entire time I was there.
I even helped by bottle feeding newborn kittens, scrubbing kennels, drying floors, scooping cat litter, and even walking one special dog named Lady.
The Virginia Beach SPCA has a list of 2,600 volunteers. They take in 4,000 to 6,000 animals a year and they do not turn any animal away. They need all of the help they can get and my back hurt just a couple of hours in! They really do an amazing job at trying to make this temporary stop in these animals lives better.
This challenge left me sad, fulfilled, tired and happy all at the same time and all I can still think about now are those precious faces staring up at me thinking I may take them home. I know that my time there helped make their day at least a little bit easier and that is why this challenge ultimately was a success. I made myself push through and just do it and I will make myself do it again, not for me, but for them.
Feeling inspired to dare yourself? Our challenges were inspired by the book, “I Dare Me.” Click here to check it out!
If you would like to volunteer:
Amanda Panuline Dunlap
Community Outreach Director
Director of Adult Volunteers
Virginia Beach SPCA
Main Phone: 757.427.0070
Direct Line: 757.689.1934
The SPCA's next adoption event and vaccine clinic will be held May 31st.
