Alternative
Breaks
Students follow passions, gain experiences
at sites across the country
STORY BY THOMAS GARRETT
PHOTOS AT ANIMAL SHELTER BY LAUREN SEYMOUR
“I have always thought about working for an organization like a shelter, and this trip has provided a great opportunity to see what this work is like. It also reinforces my love for animals,” said Jae Gauthier.
Rather than spending their spring break relaxing, Gauthier and 60 other Grand Valley students spent the first week of March working at sites across the country, gaining career experiences from a variety of organizations that work to improve the community in their areas.
Alexandra Hogue hugs a three-legged dog, Hopscotch.
Alexandra Hogue hugs a three-legged dog, Hopscotch.
These students are involved with Alternative Breaks (AB), a student organization established at Grand Valley in 1991. Like its parent organization, Break Away, AB strives to create a society of active citizens who make the community a priority in their values and life decisions. Working with organizations over spring break provides students with opportunities to aid and volunteer within a community, completing more than 40 hours of service that can often be related to the student's major.
Gauthier, a wildlife biology major, said she hopes to pursue a job with the Department of Natural Resources or at an animal shelter. She worked at the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio, where she and other students helped care for neglected dogs and cats.
The League for Animal Welfare is one of Ohio’s largest no-kill animal shelters. Staff there find homes for about 1,500 cats and dogs annually. Founded in 1949, it is also one of the oldest shelters serving the greater Cincinnati area.
Every student on the trip worked directly with sheltered animals, giving them baths, meals and walks, and playing with them. They also got down and dirty to help the shelter by thoroughly cleaning every aspect of the facility and helping prep food or clean litter boxes.
Ronni Valle, canine enrichment leader at the League for Animal Welfare, said the students provided invaluable help.
“They had positive attitudes the entire time and never complained no matter how disgusting or difficult a task was,” Valle said. “Watching them bond and learn about our dogs and cats here was such a special experience for us, too. I am so grateful for the work they were so willing to do for us.”
Emily Colfer, left, and Ethan Doyle clean pet bowls at the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio.
Emily Colfer, left, and Ethan Doyle clean pet bowls at the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio.
Lily Clark, a student site leader for the Batavia trip and president of Alternative Breaks, was seen trimming the nails of flailing kittens or providing attention to another cat that was suffering from feline leukemia.
“Alternative Breaks provides all of these experiences but with a greater impact,” said Clark. “You are living and working in a small group, often creating friendships and connections that help deepen your understanding of a particular issue and drive home the importance of making the community a priority in your life.”
STORY BY THOMAS GARRETT
PHOTOS AT ANIMAL SHELTER BY LAUREN SEYMOUR
“I have always thought about working for an organization like a shelter, and this trip has provided a great opportunity to see what this work is like. It also reinforces my love for animals,” said Jae Gauthier.
Rather than spending their spring break relaxing, Gauthier and 60 other Grand Valley students spent the first week of March working at sites across the country, gaining career experiences from a variety of organizations that work to improve the community in their areas.
Alexandra Hogue hugs a three-legged dog, Hopscotch.
Alexandra Hogue hugs a three-legged dog, Hopscotch.
These students are involved with Alternative Breaks (AB), a student organization established at Grand Valley in 1991. Like its parent organization, Break Away, AB strives to create a society of active citizens who make the community a priority in their values and life decisions. Working with organizations over spring break provides students with opportunities to aid and volunteer within a community, completing more than 40 hours of service that can often be related to the student's major.
Gauthier, a wildlife biology major, said she hopes to pursue a job with the Department of Natural Resources or at an animal shelter. She worked at the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio, where she and other students helped care for neglected dogs and cats.
The League for Animal Welfare is one of Ohio's largest no-kill animal shelters. Staff there find homes for about 1,500 cats and dogs annually. Founded in 1949, it is also one of the oldest shelters serving the greater Cincinnati area.
Every student on the trip worked directly with sheltered animals, giving them baths, meals and walks, and playing with them. They also got down and dirty to help the shelter by thoroughly cleaning every aspect of the facility and helping prep food or clean litter boxes.
Ronni Valle, canine enrichment leader at the League for Animal Welfare, said the students provided invaluable help.
“They had positive attitudes the entire time and never complained no matter how disgusting or difficult a task was,” Valle said. “Watching them bond and learn about our dogs and cats here was such a special experience for us, too. I am so grateful for the work they were so willing to do for us.”
Emily Colfer, left, and Ethan Doyle clean pet bowls at the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio.
Emily Colfer, left, and Ethan Doyle clean pet bowls at the League for Animal Welfare in Batavia, Ohio.
Lily Clark, a student site leader for the Batavia trip and president of Alternative Breaks, was seen trimming the nails of flailing kittens or providing attention to another cat that was suffering from feline leukemia.
“Alternative Breaks provides all of these experiences but with a greater impact,” said Clark. “You are living and working in a small group, often creating friendships and connections that help deepen your understanding of a particular issue and drive home the importance of making the community a priority in your life.”
Jae Gauthier cleans the walls and doorways of the shelter to support a clean environment for the animals.
Jae Gauthier cleans the walls and doorways of the shelter to support a clean environment for the animals.
Lily Clark, president of Alternative Breaks, trims the nails of a shelter cat.
Lily Clark, president of Alternative Breaks, trims the nails of a shelter cat.
Emily Colfer sorts through recycled plastic bags, which can serve several purposes at the shelter.
Emily Colfer sorts through recycled plastic bags, which can serve several purposes at the shelter.
Jae Gauthier cleans the walls and doorways of the shelter to support a clean environment for the animals.
Jae Gauthier cleans the walls and doorways of the shelter to support a clean environment for the animals.
Lily Clark, president of Alternative Breaks, trims the nails of a shelter cat.
Lily Clark, president of Alternative Breaks, trims the nails of a shelter cat.
Emily Colfer sorts through recycled plastic bags, which can serve several purposes at the shelter.
Emily Colfer sorts through recycled plastic bags, which can serve several purposes at the shelter.
For Trinity Simon, a sophomore studying pre-veterinary medicine, spending a week at the League for Animal Welfare offered opportunities to attend a vaccination clinic and work with animals outside her job as an assistant at a West Michigan emergency animal hospital.
“Not only do I get a chance to travel at fairly inexpensive costs, but I also get to give back to a community and work with animals, which has been my passion for as long as I can remember," Simon said. ”My own house looks more like a zoo.”
Carrie Leary, volunteer manager at the League for Animal Welfare, said the students often took on extra work simply because they saw it needed to be done.
“They even made progress with our hoarding case dogs. These dogs were shut down, they have never been outside of the house they were found in,” said Leary. “The students got them to come out of their shells and it was so cool to see those tucked tails start wagging.
“The fact that they just did whatever needed to be done without being asked was so huge. Even as they left there were tears from several students, which tells me how much they connected with our animals.”
From left, Alexandra Hogue, Chloe Spradlin and Becca Terryberry sit together during an evening reflection. Some of these conversations and lessons were about root causes of sheltered animals and tougher topics like euthanasia.
From left, Alexandra Hogue, Chloe Spradlin and Becca Terryberry sit together during an evening reflection. Some of these conversations and lessons were about root causes of sheltered animals and tougher topics like euthanasia.
As a part of the trip, students engaged in nightly reflections after their volunteer work to learn more about complex topics like euthanasia or privilege that affects problems like unwanted, lost and neglected animals.
“An additional goal of AB beyond these trips is to bring the knowledge and experience to the GVSU campus so that we can benefit our local community with events and other activities to give back here,” Clark said.
Thomas Garrett was a student writer for University Communications. Garrett, a native of Stevensville, earned a bachelor's degree in writing in April.
For Trinity Simon, a sophomore studying pre-veterinary medicine, spending a week at the League for Animal Welfare offered opportunities to attend a vaccination clinic and work with animals outside her job as an assistant at a West Michigan emergency animal hospital.
“Not only do I get a chance to travel at fairly inexpensive costs, but I also get to give back to a community and work with animals, which has been my passion for as long as I can remember," Simon said. "My own house looks more like a zoo.”
Carrie Leary, volunteer manager at the League for Animal Welfare, said the students often took on extra work simply because they saw it needed to be done.
“They even made progress with our hoarding case dogs. These dogs were shut down, they have never been outside of the house they were found in,” said Leary. “The students got them to come out of their shells and it was so cool to see those tucked tails start wagging.
“The fact that they just did whatever needed to be done without being asked was so huge. Even as they left there were tears from several students, which tells me how much they connected with our animals."
From left, Alexandra Hogue, Chloe Spradlin and Becca Terryberry sit together during an evening reflection. Some of these conversations and lessons were about root causes of sheltered animals and tougher topics like euthanasia.
From left, Alexandra Hogue, Chloe Spradlin and Becca Terryberry sit together during an evening reflection. Some of these conversations and lessons were about root causes of sheltered animals and tougher topics like euthanasia.
As a part of the trip, students engaged in nightly reflections after their volunteer work to learn more about complex topics like euthanasia or privilege that affects problems like unwanted, lost and neglected animals.
“An additional goal of AB beyond these trips is to bring the knowledge and experience to the GVSU campus so that we can benefit our local community with events and other activities to give back here,” Clark said.
Thomas Garrett was a student writer for University Communications. Garrett, a native of Stevensville, earned a bachelor's degree in writing in April.
AB across the country:
‘Helped me grow as a leader’
During Grand Valley’s spring break, Alternative Breaks sent six groups of students across the country for service projects, including to the Batavia, Ohio, animal shelter. Here are details from the other groups:
Park Preservation
Marion, Virginia
Hungry Mother State Park
In Marion, Virginia, El Beringer, a graduate student in social work, worked at Hungry Mother State Park to improve a natural playground, release fish at local lakes, pick up litter and build fire rings.
“This trip taught me the power of working on a team,” Beringer said. “While I have had many positive group experiences, this group connected instantly. It helped us get the work done, but it also added to the purpose of what we were doing.
”I enjoyed the area and work so much that I applied for their AmeriCorps summer position. While I did not accept the role, someone else from our trip did. I think that speaks to the impact.”
Lakes. Land. Love
Golden Pond, Kentucky
Friends of Land Between the Lakes
Students here worked to help conserve an area with 75 miles of trails, which meant graffiti removal and cleanup, trail maintenance and mulching, and shoreline cleanup.
The students worked with the Friends of Land Between the Lakes, which has a goal to educate, improve, promote, conserve and provide stewardship for the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
Water Restoration
Murphy, North Carolina
Organization: Mountain True
Olivia Miller, a biomedical sciences major, traveled to Murphy, North Carolina, to work at Mountain True. Students removed invasive species, picked up litter and planted new trees in the area to aid resilient forests and clean water.
“This trip greatly impacted my understanding of invasive species and preserving natural habitats. It showed me firsthand how difficult it is to remove invasive species from the environment once they take root, which is why preventing them from getting into the environment in the first place is so important. This trip has allowed me to grow as a person and a leader,” said Miller.
Hearts for Homeless
Little Rock, Arkansas
Our House
Our House provides a pathway out of homelessness for families and individuals in central Arkansas. GVSU students helped organize and clean the Our House shelter to help its operation and brought supplies to those in need.
Elderly Outreach
Richmond, Virginia
Senior Connections
Karianne Rodeman, an integrated science secondary education major, spent time in Richmond, Virginia. She and others visited five different Friendship Cafes, where seniors received hot meals, played games and socialized, all organized by Senior Connections.
“The seniors were so much fun to be around, and each had great advice and interesting stories to share. What stuck out to me the most was the resources available as you age and the negative views towards aging in our society today. The wrinkles are hard-earned, the gray hair comes with wisdom and memories. Spending time with the seniors had just as much of an impact on us as our time spent there had on them,” said Rodeman.
AB across the country:
‘Helped me grow as a leader’
During Grand Valley’s spring break, Alternative Breaks sent six groups of students across the country for service projects, including to the Batavia, Ohio, animal shelter. Here are details from the other groups:
Park Preservation
Marion, Virginia
Hungry Mother State Park
In Marion, Virginia, El Beringer, a graduate student in social work, worked at Hungry Mother State Park to improve a natural playground, release fish at local lakes, pick up litter and build fire rings.
“This trip taught me the power of working on a team,” Beringer said. “While I have had many positive group experiences, this group connected instantly. It helped us get the work done, but it also added to the purpose of what we were doing.
”I enjoyed the area and work so much that I applied for their AmeriCorps summer position. While I did not accept the role, someone else from our trip did. I think that speaks to the impact.”
Lakes. Land. Love
Golden Pond, Kentucky
Friends of Land Between the Lakes
Students here worked to help conserve an area with 75 miles of trails, which meant graffiti removal and cleanup, trail maintenance and mulching, and shoreline cleanup.
The students worked with the Friends of Land Between the Lakes, which has a goal to educate, improve, promote, conserve and provide stewardship for the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.
Water Restoration
Murphy, North Carolina
Organization: Mountain True
Olivia Miller, a biomedical sciences major, traveled to Murphy, North Carolina, to work at Mountain True. Students removed invasive species, picked up litter and planted new trees in the area to aid resilient forests and clean water.
“This trip greatly impacted my understanding of invasive species and preserving natural habitats. It showed me firsthand how difficult it is to remove invasive species from the environment once they take root, which is why preventing them from getting into the environment in the first place is so important. This trip has allowed me to grow as a person and a leader,” said Miller.
Hearts for Homeless
Little Rock, Arkansas
Our House
Our House provides a pathway out of homelessness for families and individuals in central Arkansas. GVSU students helped organize and clean the Our House shelter to help its operation and brought supplies to those in need.
Elderly Outreach
Richmond, Virginia
Senior Connections
Karianne Rodeman, an integrated science secondary education major, spent time in Richmond, Virginia. She and others visited five different Friendship Cafes, where seniors received hot meals, played games and socialized, all organized by Senior Connections.
“The seniors were so much fun to be around, and each had great advice and interesting stories to share. What stuck out to me the most was the resources available as you age and the negative views towards aging in our society today. The wrinkles are hard-earned, the gray hair comes with wisdom and memories. Spending time with the seniors had just as much of an impact on us as our time spent there had on them,” said Rodeman.
