Students in Dante DiStefano’s Honors English 10, Creative Writing, and College Writing I & II classes recently welcomed special guests from the Animal Care Sanctuary—Jesse O’Connor, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Ellen Feldman, President of the Board of Directors.
O’Connor and Feldman shared the sanctuary’s mission and work, highlighting the stories of rescued animals, the value of empathy toward both animals and people, and the impact of volunteerism. They also discussed possible career paths in animal care and nonprofit work.
Among the many programs they described was the Trap, Neuter, and Release (TNR) initiative, which helps manage and protect local feral cat populations. Students listened, took notes, and asked thoughtful questions throughout the sessions.
A highlight of the visit was Jewel, a rescue dog who accompanied O’Connor and Feldman. Students got to meet and interact with her, bringing the lessons of compassion and care to life.
Each class is now working on a project inspired by the visit:
Honors English 10 students are writing poems about the lives of the animals and their caretakers.
Creative Writing students are crafting short stories told from the perspective of a dog or cat, using details they learned during the presentation.
College Writing I & II students are developing essays based on the visit, handouts, and the Animal Care Sanctuary website.
Senior Katelyn Shive from the Creative Writing class reflected on the experience, “I enjoyed learning about the animals and their stories—how they went from being in a shelter to being adopted. It was really meaningful to understand what life is like for a shelter dog.”
Through this visit, students not only strengthened their writing skills but also gained a deeper appreciation for the compassion and commitment that drive animal care work every day.
