Humane Society is the ‘Purrfect’ Job

Tonya Pennington just loves animals…cat’s in particular. That’s why one of her favorite things to do is volunteer at the local Humane Society. Thanks to the Community Services Individual Job Placement Program through Bethesda Lutheran Homes and Services, Inc., she’s had many chances to spend time with all kinds of animals.

As part of the program, Tonya has been given the chance to use her love of cats and her personal career dreams of being a veterinarian by working part-time at the Watertown, Wisconsin Humane Society. She has been volunteering her time and talents since February 2006.

“She really loves cats,” says Chad Kittleson, Bethesda Day Services Instructor. “And I chose Tonya for this position because of her love for animals. I knew it would be a good match because she once had a small dog at her Bethesda group home in Johnson Creek. She also said her late sister Tammy worked at McDonalds, and she wanted to work in the community just like her.”

The placement program assists qualified candidates find job opportunities in the community. Chad collaborates with local employers to match their personnel staffing needs to the skills and capabilities of each individual with developmental disabilities. The Watertown Humane Society seemed the ‘purrfect’ fit for Tonya. According to Chad, Tonya’s group home provides over half of the job-coaching services and support for her, because it is also important to them that she continues going.

“When I first started training Tonya for this position, she didn’t know where anything went, and she was hesitant to learn on her own,” says Chad. “But after I showed her the basic routine, she caught on. In fact, her supervisor is so impressed with her progress that she has commented on Tonya’s quality of work. She talks about how she saves the laundry just for Tonya.”

“Even though my purpose as the Day Services Instructor is to find individuals with developmental disabilities a paying job in the community, I decided to continue having Tonya volunteer at the Humane Society because it is giving her something other than money. It is giving her self-confidence and personal satisfaction,” adds Chad. “A paycheck alone cannot always buy a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment in someone’s life.”

“I didn’t know what Tonya was capable of doing before starting this work experience,” Chad says. “I just put her into the environment and began training her on the job. I wanted to give her the chance.”

Taking care of cats is a joy for Tonya, as well as a big responsibility. Tonya knows the Humane Society provides a safe environment for, not only the cats, but all types of other animals. She understands how important her job is, knowing each cat’s health and welfare depend, in part, on her. Tonya is up for the challenge.

In fact, she has her own things to say. “I like to give the cats treats and I like working with Katie, a coworker at the Humane Society,” says Tonya. I like the long hair cats because they are my favorite ones to brush. My favorite cats are the black ones. ‘Queeny’ is my favorite cat to take out of the cage and brush. I like it there, and it is fun.”