Green Valley animal shelter thrives with help of teens during the summer

TUCSON, Ariz. - The Animal League of Green Valley shelter has been up and running for more than 10 years, thriving with the help of students from across the area.

The animal shelter was established years ago after Green Valley residents felt there was a strong need for a local shelter.

Jean Davis, the board president, said when she took over in 2004 she found she wanted to incorporate more of the younger generation into the shelter.

Davis said that was when she decided to start the Youth Internship Program or YIP.

Throughout the years Davis said students from all across Green Valley and the nearby area have flocked to the shelter to take part in the program.

Jenny Chatterton, who is now a regular volunteer at the shelter, started off in YIP five years ago.

"I'm an absolute animal lover and just being here, just being able to help, it's so much fun," said Chatterton.

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While Chatterton said the program has taught her to properly care to all animals, she said the biggest thing she's learned are better social skills.

Throughout the day, students a part of YIP walk dogs, they feed all dogs and cats on-site, they clean kennels and tend to any other need around the shelter.

The program is eight weeks long and allows for two different shifts of teens throughout the day.

The first shift of students get to work just after 6 a.m. while the second shift of teens get in later on in the day.

Davis said she's most proud of all of the teens who continue to come back to volunteer at the shelter year after year,

She added nothing makes her happier than seeing students gain more empathy arounf the animals they help every single day.

For more information on how your teen can take part in the youth internship program at the Animal League of Green Valley, click here.

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