Living a dog’s life has its benefits
Karen Fyke (left), secretary for the Kamloops and District Kennel Club, looks on as Thompson Rivers University students Kristen Younie and Kelsey Eaton get one-year-old Gypsy ready for a bath at the animal health and technology building on campus. The students are the recipients of a pair of $500 bursaries from the club.
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Updated: November 24, 2009 2:16 PM
It’s a dog-eat-dog world, but two university students are getting some extra cash for their work with the four-legged.
Animal health technology students Kristen Younie and Kelsey Eaton will receive $500 each from the Kamloops and District Kennel Club at Thursday night’s Foundation Awards ceremony at Thompson Rivers University.
It’s a first for the club, but Karen Fyke said having an annual award to support student work in the community is important to the organization.
“We’re happy to support them,” said Fyke, the club’s secretary.
“These students are a wealth of information and a pleasure to have around.”
First-year student Eaton wanted to get into the animal-health industry for some time, having volunteered at animal hospitals.
“I really enjoy the learning and the interaction with the animals,” she said, noting each student in the program gets either a dog or a cat that is their sole responsibility for a year before getting adopted.
“I just knew it was something I wanted to do.”
With nine courses and three lab classes per semester, it’s difficult for the students to work while going to school, so the money will come in handy, said second-year student Younie.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” she said of the extra dough.
The students have to walk their animals twice a day and have kennel duties on weekends.
“It’s so rewarding and the best is seeing all the animals adopted out at the end of the year.”
But, Younie said, it’s tough to see them go after spending so much time with their four-legged friends.
“And we can’t take them all home,” Eaton added.
On Thursday, nearly 500 students will be receiving more than $409,000 in awards and bursaries.
In addition to 250 donor awards, the foundation will present awards raised through fundraising efforts and BC Gaming’s bingo affiliation.
The ceremony — which also includes the Lieutenant Governor’s Silver Medal for a student who has excelled in their studies and contributed to their school — will by in the gym, starting at 5 p.m.
