Gone to the dogs!

Thanks to my PR program and its work placement requirement, I have investigated and received an internship with the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA. And boy, have I been introduced to the organization at a fitting time! There is currently a bit of a crisis occurring with the organization on a membership/governance level. Members of the board are petitioning for the ousting of the current board chair. But their arguments for why they don't want him anymore don't seem to be fair or relevant and are causing more harm than anything else for the organization. The negative publicity that's resulted from their disgruntlement can really damage potential funding for the organization. The issues have been explained to me by my supervisors and I'm hoping to continue discussion about them and possibly offer to help with crises management in the future (if they want my intern help that is).
Perhaps you'll read more from me on this issue later. 

Moving on...I've been at the SPCA four times now and for 5 hour intervals each time. Here are some of the things I've been doing:

Me and my puffball of a dog, Gracie! Wish I could bring her to work with me!










• I created a brochure for pet bereavement classes (on my first day in no less!)- this was the first time I'd had free run with a brochure and gotten to create one for publication

• I've been introduced and have been learning about their animal database "PetPoints" and have been writing pet profiles for adoptable dogs.

• I've learned about istockphoto.com and how it's a good website for design, marketing, and advertising employees to search for and purchase quality stock photos, images, and illustrations for their businesses.

• I've completed a rough draft of a media release for the upcoming "Picture your Pet with Santa" event that's going to take place starting late November - I'll get feedback on it the next time I come in.

• I'm around dogs the whole day and this makes me indefinably happy! It also makes me wish I could bring my own dog in.

So that has been my internship experience so far. I'm excited and optimistic for the experiences and opportunities that could await me in this placement.