What is Service Learning? Service Learning aims to develop essential skills in the one's who participate by striving for personal development and changing the community for the greater good. During this process it's expected of participants to apply and develop IB learner profile skills: decision-making, problem-solving, initiative, responsibility, and accountability for actions.
Investigation/Goals I've decided that the best way for me to receive the best outcome and truly develop essential skills is to volunteer doing something I love. I've decided to begin training at the Humane Society of Northern Nevada as a cat-care volunteer. I'm scheduled to begin training August of 2017.
There are quite a few things I wish to accomplish with this experience. The first being to help the cats in the shelter combat the depression, stress, and anxiety they feel from being locked up in their cages for long periods of time. The second being to raise awareness about the importance of volunteering and civic engagement in our community. It's so important to be a member of a community and stay involved by participating in areas that need work. The humane society is in need of so many volunteers; they need help with walking dogs, spending time with cats, spending time with the small animals (bunnies, hamsters, etc.), food drives, creating awareness/publicizing animals, etc.
Service Learning Interview #1 August 22, 2017 My first interview with Mr. Coli was to verify if volunteering at the Humane Society could count towards Service Learning. I mentioned how this would be something that I could really see myself doing and how it would be a completely new experience for me, given that I've never worked/owned a pet cat in my life, allowing for learning development. We discussed how Service Learning is a process meant to engage the participant in their community and concurrently a process with a purpose of allowing an individual to grow and develop essential skills and intellect. We discussed how it's important for Service Learning to be applied to an area in the community that is in serious need-the shelter has a serious shortage of volunteers- and for the common good. Mr. Coli also mentioned the importance of reevaluating one's values, behavior, and actions throughout this experience. We agreed that volunteering at the animal shelter has substantial potential to undergo development during the Service Learning process. After some reflecting on how I can truly gain something from this experience I reached the conclusion that my volunteering has to have a good impact on my community, it has to be consistent, and it has to make a difference.
Service Learning Interview #2 January 31, 2018 In this meeting with Mr. Coli we discussed what actions I have been taking at the animal shelter that have really bettered an area in need in the community. I mentioned how up to this point I've only been able to attend orientation, cat-care training, and few scheduled volunteer sessions. I also mentioned how, up to this point, I feel like I've already learned so much. I keep realizing how important it is to volunteer and help your community. So far I've been able to see so much change in certain cats behavior from them being taken out more and played with. I've been able to file paperwork and do laundry. I expressed to Mr. Coli a concern I have with my type of volunteer work. Given that I'm working directly with animals, and not with people I'm afraid that this won't count as an engaging/impact service learning experience. Mr. Coli assured me that working with animals is as equitable as if I were working at a homeless shelter- they're both great opportunities for growth and development for Service Learning. Mr. Coli mentioned to me to keep in mind/think about more ways to engage in the shelter that show true development.
To truly make this an experience full of development I've concluded that I want to work on the following tasks:
To spend longer periods of time at the shelter so that more cats spend some play time and get the opportunity to stretch, relax, etc
I want to learn how to write thank you notes to donors and families who have adopted from this facility
I want to learn how to make the cats feel more comfortable. Ex: Learning how to groom, treats, etc.
I want to try and recruit some of my peers to volunteer at the shelter
I want to step out of my comfort zone and move from away from cats who I've grown attached to and meet new ones in different cat rooms
Service Learning Interview #3 April 13, 2018 Mr. Coli and I discussed my experience at the shelter. We found it best for me to show that I truly learned something from this by reflecting on it and describing what I gained from the experience, what I felt, and the change I made. I mentioned future plans I have with the shelter as well. I pointed out how I don't want to stop volunteering there simply because I've completed my hours; when I turn 18 I can start walking dogs and helping animals recuperate after surgeries, and I can shadow the veterinarian. I'm looking forward to doing this and learning more from this experience. I've truly learned how valuable it is to help the community. I can sincerely say that I feel like I have impacted several cat's lives positively and helped them not feel so lonely and trapped in their cages.