Dara Lovitz Presentation - Mary Penxa

I found Dara's presentation moving on several accounts. First and foremost I felt the way she set up her powerpoint was highly successful in getting across the message. Since I am studying to be in the education field, I always like to see how other people structure their presentations. I felt her positive vs negative approach to the same issues really helped to show how even though strides are being made in a positive direction, there is certainly a long long way to go.

Some of the pictures were hard to look at, but I feel that ignorance is what a lot of people try to hide behind when it comes to the "it's not my animal - it's not my problem" type of view. I believe if more people saw some of the horrible things that animals actually go through in these cruel situations, they would be far less likely to just pass off the issues as "no big deal".

Her presentation really made me think about how working for animal justice is such a hard thing to do. While you are working for such a wonderful thing, it sometimes always feels like no matter what you do, there are still obstacles. I can really relate to that in my experience in volunteering at the SPCA. I love volunteering there and it really gives me so much joy helping these dogs out. But I can't lie a lot of times it makes me feel extremely sad to. Like no matter how many dogs I walk, there are still some who haven't been able to get outside all day. And no matter how hard I try wonderful dogs are still being put down.

Her presentation really reiterated the fact that we sometimes can feel helpless in these matters. But it also showed that when people ban together that changes can be made. That's what keeps me coming back to the shelter every time. Knowing there is a dog who maybe had just a little better of a day because of me.

While it's easy to feel helpless and like the problem is outside of us, Dara's presentation really hit home that the only way it even begins to get better, is if we keep trying despite this.

-Mary Penxa