Whiz Kids: Local Teen Helps Dog Rescue

Maddie Lafferty

• Whiz Kids Age: 15

• Whiz Kids School: Marquette High School

• Whiz Kids Accomplishment: Maddie does not have just one accomplishment, but many through her work for Senior Dogs for Seniors. Maddie is a volunteer for the organization that places “senior” aged dogs in homes with senior citizens. Maddie has been responsible for helping several dogs get adopted in to loving homes. In addition to spending her Saturday afternoons working at adoption events, socializing the dogs and greeting prospective adoptive families, she has also persuaded her family to foster several dogs. Once a family has decided to adopt a dog that Maddie is fostering she helps check out the new home to makes sure the dog and family will get along. A couple of Maddie's foster dogs have become adopted members of her own home.

• Whiz Kids Key to Awesomeness: Maddie believes that pets make peoples lives better through companionship and the unconditional love they give. Senior Dogs for Seniors generally rescues dogs whose owners cannot care for them or older dogs from puppy mills. The older dogs make great pets for older people because their energy level is lower and they are housebroken.

Maddie loves to see the smile on the face of person who has just adopted a dog. Knowing she has made the new owner happy and given a dog a second chance is why Maddie volunteers.

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