A self-proclaimed “crazy dog lady,” Jenna Patcella has always had a strong love and connection to dogs. From owning a Dalmatian-Pit Bull mix named Rocky when she was young to her twoPit Bulls—George and Skye—Patcella has never met a dog she didn’t like.
Her love for these animals inspired her to volunteer with the Senior Dog Sanctuary, which provides a safe haven for older dogs. There, she helps with coordinating events and adoption days, as well as spending some quality time with the dogs. We recently sat down with Patcella to talk about her volunteer work and love for dogs.
How did you first get involved with Senior Dog Sanctuary?
I volunteered at the SPCA in Annapolis from October of 2013 until August of 2015, and then moved to Laurel, so the commute was a big commitment every day. I found the Senior Dog Sanctuary and started volunteering with them in August of 2015.
I really love volunteering and working with the dogs, so I was just there often, and they needed help with events, and that’s how I got started with helping on that side of things. This was my first time not really directly [working with the dogs]. Don’t get me wrong, I still go work with the dogs and cuddle them in their kennels and stuff like that, but I’m doing more stuff on the administrative side.
You helped run the Sanctuary’s first major fundraising event, “Senior Dog Prom,” last March. Can you talk about that event and your role in coordinating it?
The idea came from a woman I volunteered with at the SPCA. She was a social worker for Anne Arundel County, and one of her students at the school she worked at had the idea of having a dog prom. We were like, “What if we did the senior prom?” It was a great idea that we were able to run with.
There was a silent auction, which was our main fundraising, and people were able to sponsor it. We included them on our website, did social media shout-outs, and put them in our program. It was a buffet-style dinner with a DJ, dancing, table games, and casino-like games. People received raffle tickets, and then they were able to purchase additional raffle tickets, and the tickets were votes for dogs, so we had them vote for prom king and queen. (Save the date for this year’s Senior Dog Prom, which will be held on Saturday, March 30th).
The Senior Dog Sanctuary’s first “Senior Stroll” took place in November. What gave you this idea for it? Tell me about the event.
We needed a walk. Walks are the most lucrative fundraising event. We were thinking of doing something that related to seniors, and so Senior Stroll.
It was a fun, family-friendly event at Quiet Waters Park. There was a one-mile and a 5K walk option for people and dogs of all ages; not just seniors. We had a bunch of vendors, music, and food trucks. It’s just a great time to spread awareness about our facility and raise some money.
When people help raise these funds and donations, what are they helping the Sanctuary accomplish?
Medical care. One thing Senior Dog Sanctuary does not ever skimp on is medical care. It is privately funded by our executive director. All the donations, though, go toward supplementing that medical care. They make sure everything possible is tried to care for the dog and make sure that they’re not in pain. Every dog gets joint supplements and things they need, and we make sure that they’re comfortable with their food; they don’t eat whatever food comes in. They’re a little older, so they sometimes need a little bit better quality food. It all goes toward medical care.
You run the “Live in the Green Room” Facebook videos. Can you talk about that? What motivated you to start these videos?
Social media live videos seemed to be what reaches the largest audience, so we started to do “Live in the Green Room” as a way to highlight dogs because they don’t always show the same way in kennels that they do when they’re out of the kennels. It is a way to show the dogs and their personalities. A picture only goes so far, so it’s nice to be able to see them live. A different dog is featured every time, and it’s just a couple of minutes. Short, sweet, and to the point.
What do you hope Senior Dog Sanctuary can accomplish in the future and do you have any personal goals with them?
My personal goal is to see them be able to be self-sufficient, being able to raise enough money to cover all the costs that we need. Just because no money source is limitless; you’re going to run out. I would like to see them be able to be self-sufficient and sustainable for the years to come.
You’ve fostered one of the dogs from the Sanctuary for a few years now. What has that experience been like?
Seniors are different. They’re more laid back. I sound so crazy saying this, but they really appreciate what you give them, and you can just tell how much. It’s just so rewarding, especially because when you first bring a dog home, they’re not really attached to you. She didn’t know who I was. She was very distant, and now it’s like the second she sees me, her little nub goes a mile a minute. It’s so rewarding to be able to earn their love.
She’s been a foster because she was terminally ill. We thought she was going to pass. She has a couple of issues with medications and prescription food, so it’s a little more than I’m able to afford. Which, again, is really nice about the program because they provide the food and medical and everything. She goes to the vet often. We provide all the love. It’s going to be so hard now because I was mentally trying to prepare myself for just a week or two, and now that it’s been so long, she’s a member of my family.
For more information on Senior Dog Sanctuary, visit seniordogsanctuary.com