June 7, 2000
TC Humane Society selects top volunteer
Julia Edson named Volunteer of the Year
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
When her dog died three years ago, Julia Edson was heartbroken. Losing her lifelong companion, who was just two weeks older than she was, prompted Edson to make a life-altering decision: she began volunteering at the Cherryland Humane Society every week so she could be near animals.
What began as a way to fill a void in her heart soon transformed into a passion for helping and caring for animals. Now 18 and having just graduated from Traverse City Central High School, Edson will head off to Michigan State University in the fall as a pre-vet major, a natural outgrowth of her love of animals.
"Volunteering here solidified my commitment to be a vet," Edson said. "The most satisfying part is watching animals be adopted. When you get attached to the animals and see them go to a home, it makes you really happy."
Because of her years of dedicated service at the Humane Society, Edson was recently honored as "Volunteer of the Year" at the society's annual Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast last Saturday. One of more than 200 volunteers on the society's roster, Edson stood out because of her huge commitment to the animals and determination to care for them.
"Julia has just a tremendous compassionate heart for unwanted, homeless pets," said Mike Cherry, executive director of the Cherryland Humane Society. "She is very, very willing to do whatever we have asked her to do. She's made a tremendous difference and when you find that kind of enthusiasm, it is kind of contagious and inspires us all."
Edson's versatility means she does everything from animal care to office work to donning the "Beggar Dog" costume during the National Cherry Festival or the society's Adopt-A-Thons. She also counsels people who come to adopt a pet and has helped at most of the Humane Society's fund-raisers.
After seeing first-hand how many unwanted pets are dropped off at the Humane Society, Edson has become an ardent advocate of spaying and neutering. Even though the Cherryland Humane Society boasts a 67 percent adoption rate - nearly three times the national average -they still have too many unwanted cats and dogs.
"The reality is that we have to put animals down because there is still that percentage that does not get adopted," Edson noted. "Spaying and neutering is the biggest thing to prevent the unwanted puppies and kittens."
Despite so many animals coming through the Cherryland Humane Society every week that need a loving home, Edson restrains herself from adopting them all. Instead of pining to take them home, she tries to make the animals as relaxed and comfortable as possible so they have a better chance of placement. A few times her heartstrings have felt the tug, but already having one dog and two cats at home leaves little room for more.
"There have probably been two times that I have fallen in love with an animal and had a really hard time with not adopting it," she said.
Edson also works part time at the Oakwood Veterinary Clinic, helping the vets there in numerous ways while gaining valuable clinical and administrative experience along the way.
"I love working with the vets there so much," Edson said. "They are role models and mentors for me."