Volunteer Gets Recognition for Helping Animals | Video

Sarahbeth Ackerman | 8/2/2012

Emily Engle is just like any other 12 year old girl, except she spends a lot of her time volunteering at the animal shelter.

"I go into the cat rooms and I make sure that they are all getting all the, well all the attention, I guess you can say. And making sure they are all happy and content."

Engle started volunteering at the shelter since she was eight years old, however she really pitched in last year.

"During the flood, we had some pets that we moved out to the evacuation center and my mom and I actually went out there and we started helping with all of the cats and dogs and making sure everyone got fed, putting up crates and making sure everyone had a place and was safe."

Engle did not only comfort the animals, but gave support to the owners, at such a difficult time.

However, after the flood, new national regulations were put into place which made Emily ineligible to volunteer due to her age.

"I was really sad I guess, cause helping out those animals, it was really fun and it didn`t really seem like it was really work, it was more play."

Yet, Engle`s work did not go unnoticed, she was a recipient of a Kohl`s Cares award.

"We are so very proud of our Emily and truly has been a part of our family the whole time that she`s volunteered," said shelter director Susan Wagers.

Engle was chosen from more than 35,000 nominees nationwide for making such a positive impact on her home town. She was also awarded a $1,000 Kohl`s Cares scholarship.

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