Volunteer Profile – Jenny Kriendler

Jenny Kriendler is a new volunteer at PAWS/LA, but with her big heart and compassion for animals she has already been recognized by the agency for her hard work.

Jenny is a long-time animal lover who grew up with dogs, parakeets, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fish, turtles, rats and even hedgehogs. Her two family dogs live in Arizona with her parents, but she still gets to see her furry friends a few times a year. In the near future, she also plans on adopting her own dog from a shelter in Los Angeles.

As a new member of PAWS/LA’s volunteer team, Jenny commits about six hours a week assisting the agency. She helps out wherever she is needed, whether it is delivering pet food to clients or serving as the PAWS/LA receptionist. She also shares her background in social work to counsel clients on occasion. When needed for critical cases, she helps clients find additional services outside of PAWS/LA. And, she has created a resource guide that provides information to clients about other supportive services they may need. Her next project will focus on a research study about the benefits and effects of PAWS/LA’s PetCo Place.

Jenny was introduced to PAWS/LA while volunteering for an animal assisted therapy organization. While at a special event, she visited the PAWS/LA information booth and learned about the agency. The moment she found out about the PAWS/LA mission, she knew she wanted to devote all of her extra time to the cause.

“There is no agency out there servicing people’s pets like PAWS/LA does. I see the organization as a social service agency for animals,” Jenny said. “There are so many groups in our community that help people in need, but their pets are so often overlooked.”

Jenny understands the importance of having a loving companion animal, especially for the underprivileged and underrepresented population that PAWS/LA targets. Having a pet provides therapeutic benefits for owners, especially when they are coping with life struggles.

“PAWS/LA supports and recognizes the importance of the bond between animals and humans. I fully believe in this bond,” Jenny explained. “I also believe that it is crucial to get involved in the community and take time out of our busy lives to help others.”

Jenny attributes her choice to volunteer at PAWS/LA to the fact that she “gets to help people and animals all in one fell swoop.”

Her experience at PAWS/LA thus far has been a rewarding one. Volunteering brings her a sense of relief because she knows clients’ animals are getting the care they need. She is happy that her work is appreciated.

Ultimately, Jenny’s life goal is to incorporate animal assisted therapy into her social work.

“As humans, it is our duty to appreciate and value the benefits that animals bring our world. We cannot abuse the power we have to control their lives,” Jenny, clearly passionate about the subject, elaborates. “People have become more and more desensitized to the fact that animals positively contribute so much to us. We rarely take time out of our day to thank the animals that have given their lives for either human food or because we destroyed their habitats to build new homes. Without animals and pets, we would not be the species we are today.”

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