Six shelter dogs in New Mexico have found their forever homes, thanks to seventh grade students who wrote resumes for them through a unique school assignment.
Albuquerque’s Polk Middle School paired students with purple folders full of information for each dog at the Bernalillo County Animal Care Center.
Students then had to create a resume, detailing the dogs’ unique personalities and skills, while other students created an artist’s rendition of the pups to hang alongside their kennel cards.
“I am delighted with what they are coming up with,” Diane Longenecker, the center’s volunteer program facilitator, told news. “It’s very original and that was what we were going for.”
Students made resumes for 13 dogs. Of those, six have found forever homes, three are in foster and one is at a rescue, Longenecker told Lady Freethinker (LFT).
One of the dogs who still needs a home is King, a 3-year-old, black and white pit bull, whose resume announces he is “a very good boy.” Longenecker said that King has been at the shelter since October 12, 2022.
“King still thinks he’s a puppy even though he is 4 years old,” she said. “He doesn’t always realize how strong he is, but he is a lover.”
King and His Resume (Courtesy of Bernalillo County Animal Care and Resource Center)
King’s resume notes his “skills” include sitting, leash walking, cuddling, playing, and getting treats. He also has a “certificate” in running, with a note that he’s very good at it — especially if he’s excited — and that he’ll need a big backyard to run around in.
But King also promises in his resume that he’ll be a great companion when taken care of properly — especially for someone wanting to go on adventures or keep on the move.
“I am a very good boy, always ready to play and be outside,” the resume says. “I’m very energetic and will always have you on your feet. I am a great best friend and will always be there for you.”
Another canine who would make an amazing companion is Oliver, who has been at the shelter since September 30, 2022.
“Oliver is a larger dog who would love a quieter home with older kids,” Longenecker said.
Oliver And His Resume (Courtesy of Bernalillo County Animal Care and Resource Center)
Oliver’s resume describes him as a well-mannered German Shepherd mix who enjoys easy walks in the sun and time to explore and sniff. He’s good at walking, sitting, and slobbering up windows, according to his resume.
Longenecker said she’s happy with how the program has gone so far.
“I think it went well,” she said. “We are already in discussions with another school about a similar project for this fall.”
A canine companion delivered thank you notes to the students following the adoptions. Jonathon Aranda, the school’s assistant principal, said teachers are always looking for innovative ways to engage their learners.
“We always welcome any type of engagement we can get to help support any type of learning, any type of classroom instruction that gives them those opportunities outside of the classroom,” Aranda told KOB4.
Longenecker added that shelters and rescues are still dealing with the fallout from COVID-19 — making adoption that much more important.
“Shelters and vets were not doing surgery as normal and many people were not spaying and neutering their pets,” she told LFT. “We need to get back to spaying, neutering, micro-chipping and vaccinating pets, not just for the health of the animal, but also for the benefits to the community.”
Lady Freethinker loves that this care center and these teachers used a class assignment to teach compassion for animals and to help these precious pups find the loving homes they deserve! We also encourage our readers to always adopt — rather than shop — for companion animals.
To see more of the dogs who are available for adoption, you can visit the shelter’s adoptions page here.
