Students of Delaware Valley University’s Animal Lifeline Club had an unconventional, yet highly philanthropic spring break. Donating their time and energy to help make a domestic violence shelter pet-friendly, the club and its members traveled to Georgia to partner with Rescue Rebuild, a shelter renovation program that improves the lives of humans and animals in a variety of settings.
Former DelVal ecology professor Brynn Donnelly started the Animal Lifeline Club at DelVal in 2008. As part of the club’s service activities, Donnelly would take students on trips to rebuild and renovate animal shelters in need, which later evolved to become Rescue Rebuild.
“The trips first began in West Virginia and they would use professor Donnelly’s personal tools to rebuild and renovate. She also provided much of the funding,” said Animal Lifeline Club president Gabriella Vilanova, ‘22. “The trips became so successful and they started fundraising more and more and eventually got sponsors and it became a larger organization known today as Rescue Rebuild. Then in 2015, Rescue Rebuild joined with a larger nonprofit organization Greater Good Charities.”
The Animal Lifeline Club was especially excited to go on the Rescue Rebuild trip this spring break, as the past several trips were canceled due to COVID-19.
“Myself and one other person were the only two people who had been on a Rescue Rebuild trip before because of COVID,” said Vilanova. “It was really nice to see other students having the same fun that I had those past years.”
Typically on their Rescue Rebuild trips, DelVal students rebuild and renovate animal shelters. This trip, however, was unique as students were making renovations to a domestic violence shelter.
“Nearly half of all domestic violence victims will stay in abusive relationships because they don’t want to leave their pet behind. Additionally, 71 percent of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser threatened or injured their pet as a means of control,” said Vilanova. “Many people aren’t familiar with these statistics, and the work that we did in Georgia made the domestic violence shelter pet-friendly so that if people are seeking shelter, they can bring their pet with them.”
For Animal Lifeline Club vice president Cheyanne Brown, ‘23, this was her first Rescue Rebuild endeavor.
“I really enjoyed the sense of accomplishment this trip gave to us,” Brown said. “We would come back from a day of working and we would be tired, but we would be in such good moods because we knew we were making a difference in the lives of others. We were all just so happy to be helping.”
“From day one of this trip, the Rescue Rebuild volunteers and staff were so nice. Every person made you feel like you were supposed to be there,” said the club’s off-campus coordinator Sophia Shannon, ‘22. “We were all there for the same purpose, which was to do something that was bigger than ourselves. I really respect anyone who is willing to put that time aside to help others, especially during spring break.”
When the Animal Lifeline Club first arrived at the domestic violence shelter in Georgia, the backyard was empty. By the time the students left, there were three pet relief areas, multiple fences, two large sheds that serve as large-scale dog houses with electricity and many more features inside to ensure the welfare of victims seeking shelter with their pets. Also included in the renovations were four rooms for the animals, each decorated to the theme of various seasons – winter, spring, summer and fall.
“Many of us had no construction experience prior to this trip and the volunteers were so trusting and patient and taught us how to do things,” said Brown. “We were building fences, putting up drywall, mixing concrete and more.”
“It was rewarding to know that you weren’t alone learning how to build things and we were constantly given reassurance that we were doing exactly what we needed to do,” said Shannon. “The volunteers don’t let themselves get upset or frustrated when things get difficult. They know tomorrow is a new day and they know they are there for something bigger than themselves. It’s just really special.”
The club plans to make another Rescue Rebuild trip to Rhode Island this summer. For Shannon and Vilanova, this will be their last trip as DelVal students, since both are graduating in May. Shannon plans to attend veterinary school in the fall and Vilanova hopes to join the animal nonprofit industry. As for Brown, she hopes to become the club’s president for her senior year and go on a few more Rescue Rebuild trips before she graduates.
