HSSNM Programs

Bill Smith

Pet Help Line

The pet help line is an important HSSNM program and service to the public. Volunteers answer incoming calls from members of the public, responding to questions and concerns about animals. Volunteers offer information to callers to assist with lost and found animals, for help with homeless/orphan animals, and to provide references in response to questions about health care and animal behavior, and other topics. A volunteer handbook and an animal resource guide are used as references for information. Volunteer training and mentoring are provided. In addition to pet help line work, volunteers in this program often provide clerical assistance in the office.

Bill Smith, a HSSNM volunteer, answers calls for the pet help line and provides other services important to maintaining the office.

Critter Connection Reading

Critter Connection Reading is a program held at the Las Cruces Boys & Girls Club on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The program is led by the Humane Society of Southern NM with volunteers participating from TheraPaws with their ambassador dogs and individuals from R.S.V.P., the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, and animal advocates and private citizens in the community.

Volunteers read animal books and stories to groups of children, or children read to volunteers. Books are provided although volunteers are welcome to bring their favorite stories designed for children. It's fun and rewarding to work with the children in this enrichment and literacy area while imparting humane principles and kindness to animals. Volunteers are always welcome and needed for this ongoing program.

The Boys & Girls Club is located at 330 W. Las Cruces Ave, off of Alameda. Please call the club at
644-5331 or call Jean Gilbert, 522-2529 for information or to volunteer.

Susan Sammis and her dog Isis are regular volunteers at Critter Connection Reading. The kids like how attentive Isis always is to stories presented . Susan & Isis are members of TheraPaws.

Terry Thomas with kids at Boys & Girls Club

Terry Thomas is a regular volunteer at Critter Connection Reading, introducing children to animal story classics with books and movies like “Old Yeller” from the city library.

Jean Gilbert is a volunteer humane educator with HSSNM and the leader of Critter Connection Reading. She sometimes brings her dog Dali to join the kids in reading.

http://www.rootsandshoots.org/

Roots and Shoots is a partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute, The Las Cruces Boys and Girls Club and the Free Spay Neuter Program. This program takes humane education into the Club with an emphasis on spaying-neutering as a solution to pet overpopulation. Older youth will be trained, by gaining background information and storytelling skills needed, to share the story “Adventures of SNOOTER” with younger children.

In the spirit of Jane Goodall’s mission, this project fosters respect and compassion for all living things in making the world a better place. The program engages and inspires youth through community service and service learning in the area of humane education and caring for our four legged friends.

Boys and Girls Club children at Cesar Chavez Elementary after-school program participated in a critter club during the school year, called "The Snooter Club". Frank Bryce is pictured above with "Snooter" during a visit to the club. The children learned spay-neuter awareness and enjoyed visits by special animal "guests" and their owners, field trips to Safe Haven Animal Sanctuary, and sending valentines to help unchain tied or tethered dogs at residences identified by "Dogs Deserve Better." Jean Gilbert, humane educator with the Humane Society of Southern NM, is pictured here with the children and the "Adopt Me" vest they purchased through a penny drive to be given to Safe Haven for adoption promotions.

Volunteer Positions: Humane education work is ongoing so positions continuously exist, to expand the Roots and Shoots program in the community and to youth in the Las Cruces Public Schools and the Gadsden Independent School District.

On Golden Paws: Seniors for Seniors

man with dog Therapy animals have long scientifically proven to bring a smile, boost mood, and encourage people who are withdrawn or otherwise non responsive to reach out. Likewise, studies have validated that a person’s reaction to stress is less on pet owners and those with high blood pressure are better managed with the help of a four footed family member.

The Humane Society of Southern New Mexico’s “Seniors for Seniors” adoption program is all about rediscovering the joys of seniors having a companion animal in their life while saving the life of a senior cat or dog from our local shelter, sanctuary or rescue group. Pets wind up homeless when a senior citizen or others in the community go into a nursing home, die or otherwise can no longer care for their pet. Senior animals who are at the shelter because of these situations are not as adoptable as the ‘cute puppy or kitten’ coveted by the family with small children.

On Golden Paws, HSSNM’s “Seniors for Seniors” program places senior cats and dogs who are typically over five years of age with senior citizens 60 years of age or older. Adoption counselors, all trained HSSNM volunteers, are available to support a senior citizen living in a retirement setting, skilled nursing facility or in the community who would like to adopt a senior companion. “Seniors for Seniors” counselors can discuss your lifestyle, living situation and health issues as it relates to making the best match for you and the dog or cat that you desire.

HSSNM launched this program at the Ten Year Anniversary Celebration for The Village at Northrise on Saturday, October 4th, 2008 from 10 am to 3 pm. Diane Hammond is in charge of “Seniors for Seniors” and you can call her to learn more about this program by contacting HSSNM at 523-8020.

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