In a heartwarming display of compassion, a young girl scout from Bakersfield, California, has earned a silver project award by helping to improve the lives of homeless dogs in her community. Grace Carillo, a 13-year-old with a deep love for animals, displayed impressive ingenuity and skill to build and donate 15 beds for homeless dogs to the Kern County Animal Shelter.
Grace’s project to provide better beds for homeless dogs at her local animal shelter took months of meticulous planning and hard work. She began by collecting donations through yard sales, which she used to purchase PVC pipes and other materials necessary to build the dog beds.
Grace explained that her motivation for this project stemmed from her concern about the conditions faced by animals in shelters. “They deserve better homes than just being in the animal shelter,” she said. “They’re usually just being on the floor and in the summer, it’s usually hot. Even though they’re inside it can still tend to be hot.”
By providing raised beds, Carillo knew these animals would have a more comfortable, cooler space to sleep and rest.
Berkeley Hanley, the Community Engagement Coordinator for Kern County Animal Shelter, emphasized the significance of Grace’s contribution not just to the individual dogs but the community as a whole. “People just talk about how things get worse each day, but now you have, not even just people, children out here thinking ‘what can I do for homeless animals in my community?’ So I think it really gives you hope,” Berkeley explained. “Hope for the community and hope for the future.”
It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the troubles we face as a society today, but Grace provides us with a shining example of how you can actually make a difference. Choosing a singular goal, creating a plan, and executing that goal allowed Grace to make a true difference.
Let Grace’s remarkable project inspire you to follow in her footsteps. Whether your goal is to build beds for homeless dogs, adopt a pet in need, or fundraise for your local shelter, the first step to achieving that goal is simply setting it in motion!
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