Collingwood teen goes extra mile for GTHS animals

Seventeen-year-old Eve Borisova is proving herself invaluable at the Georgian Triangle Humane Society (GTHS) in Collingwood.

The Grade 12 student at Collingwood Collegiate Institute is doing her co-op placement at the animal shelter, but is volunteering far beyond the requirements for the co-op.

"Many weeks, I am here seven days a week," said Borisova. "I either come in at the scheduled time and stay longer or I come in earlier. I am very passionate about helping and they always need extra help," she said.

Some days Borisova is the "food fairy." That's the person that comes in at 6 a.m. to feed cats and dogs. Somebody has to do it every day and it's not a popular shift. Borisova has been volunteering Sunday mornings for approximately one year feeding, cleaning and socializing with the animals.

Volunteering has helped her overcome her fear of cats as she's never had one in her home.

"I was scared to be around them. I've overcome my fear," she said.

Not only has she overcome her fear, she enjoys looking after them so much, she recently got a tattoo of a cat on her leg.

"It's a reminder of the shelter work I do."

As a small dog owner, Borisova has also gotten over her trepidation of large dogs.

Volunteers who work with dogs do so in a progressive manner starting with the low-risk dogs. So far she has worked with "green" dogs (puppies) and "yellow" dogs (ones that get excited but are low-risk).

She's working her way up to 'orange' level – they can be nippy. Purple dogs are fearful and may bite and red dogs are fearful and aggressive.

Borisova walks big dogs and is learning about dog training.

"I love seeing them and being with them," she said.

Borisova not only wants to work with animals as a career, she wants to work specifically at the GTHS. She is also working part-time at Global Pet Foods in Collingwood where she is learning about foods, supplements and equipment.

“Pretty much all my work involves animal care,” she said.

There is a lot of activity at the GTHS including fundraising, grooming, medical care and adoptions. Borisova eats it all up.

“The opportunity to come in every day and help is so amazing. I really love it. It’s like a second home to me,” she said. "Even when I’m employed, I think I’ll still volunteer.”

Kristin Holmes, marketing and public relations manager for the GTHS, said Borisova is "eager to learn everything there is to know about animal care."

"Eve cares for both cats and dogs, helps with any odd tasks around the animal centre, trains new volunteers and brings in toys and treats for the furry friends in GTHS care," said Holmes. "We are fortunate to have her as part of our team."

For more information about the shelter visit the facility at 549 Tenth Line, call 705-445-5204 or visit the website: gths.ca