Author: Paula Nalbaru

Second Chances All Around

November 19, 2025

By Paula Nalbaru

What do a Nova Scotia SPCA Thrift Store, a marathon, and a quilt have in common?  

The Mud Creek Rotary Club! Specifically, the Environmental Committee.  

In September 2025, Ginette Goulet reached out to the Nova Scotia SPCA about a fundraiser and partnership that made us tilt our heads and wag our tails. 

The details? They would be raffling hundreds of tickets for three quilts that three of the Rotarians made out of marathon T-shirts, with proceeds going towards the Nova Scotia SPCA.  

The Mud Creek Rotary Club has been supporting the “youth” segment of the Valley Harvest Marathon for a few years, allowing youth to participate for free. But this year they found out something new.  

“Our partnership with the organizer, the Blue Nose Marathon, led us to understand that there were hundreds, if not thousands, of surplus race t-shirts being held idle in a warehouse and had an uncertain future prior to this project. Hearing of our interest in textile waste management, they challenged us to repurpose these shirts, and thus, support their diversion from landfill. We took up the challenge!” Ginette explained.  

And so, three local Rotarians, Janet MacNaughton, Ann Booth and Ginette Goulet, the T-shirt Trio, went to task, deconstructing over 50 shirts, designing the pattern and sewing the patchwork for a total of three quilts. 

But then came the question, how will these quilts help the community? After all, the Rotary and its members share the same interest: to help and create lasting change in the world. 

This is where our thrift store came into play. Our thrift stores are not only about making a difference to local animals in need, but in the environment as well. So, for Ginette and her Rotarians it seemed like a no brainer.  

Ginette told me, “As I stated earlier, I’m a confirmed thrifter. SPCA’s thrift stores, wherever I’ve lived, have always been on my thrifting tours. The decision to partner with the SPCA was unanimous among our club members. Our upcycled project was an obvious fit with the SPCA. And I do have a cat, Stella. All of my previous cats were adopted from the SPCA.”  

The Nova Scotia SPCA has five thrift stores across the province in Dartmouth, Sydney, Truro, Stellarton, and New Minas.  While some people might think we only carry pet items, we’re so much more than that. 

Clothing – for humans! – is our biggest donation and selling item. We also have items like houseware, accessories, books, kitchenware, and toys. And this is where Ginnette advises people to start looking at on their journey to sustainability. She said, “When it comes to textile sustainability, my best advice is to start in our closets. Closets hold most of the textiles in our lives. Closet organizing is a powerful tool for reducing textile waste. It encourages mindful ownership, better garment care, and reduced consumption. Thrifting is not only a major player in the realm of solutions, it is also becoming very much a mainstream approach to shopping.”  

A small, but powerful idea and move! And we might be a little biased when we say that thrift stores are a great way to give second chances all around, whether you’re buying or donating items.  

Ginette agrees with that statement. “I choose to thrift shop because it’s a simple, meaningful way to live more sustainably. Buying secondhand gives clothing and household items a second life, keeping them out of landfills and reducing the demand for new production. It saves water, energy, and materials while also supporting local charities and community programs. I love that thrifting allows me to express my personal style creatively and affordably — finding unique pieces that tell a story. Most of all, it reminds me to be mindful about what I buy and to value quality and reuse over convenience and excess.”

This partnership reminded us about the importance of community, what it means to work together, and all we can accomplish when we collaborate. It also reminded us that second chances come with unique backgrounds and stories, each one worth telling, be it that it’s someone’s first time running a marathon, someone joining a Rotary Club for the first time, a pet being with their loving family, or an item finding a new home.  

So, we encourage you to visit one of the Nova Scotia SPCA thrift stores, support the marathon when they return, join the Rotary Club, and create a community where every action counts. 

Together, we can make second chances second nature. 

 

Paula Nalbaru

Paula Nalbaru is the Philanthropy Communications Coordinator with the Nova Scotia SPCA. Her work and writing are inspired by the love and lessons her doggo Summer brought into her life, while her cat Marshmallow continues to bring light and laughter to her home.

Luna the ‘Little French Fry’ Who Found Her Perfect Family

November 19, 2025

By Kirsten Millar

Love has a way of finding its way home. For Angela Fader, that love arrived in the form of a tiny French Bulldog named Luna. This month, as we celebrate family, new and old, their story shows how a little extra love and care can form a forever bond.  

When Luna first arrived at the Dartmouth SPCA shelter on October 16, 2024, the seven-year-old Frenchie was facing significant health challenges. She had skin issues that needed extensive treatment, she was unable to produce her own tears, and even a small change in her diet could trigger painful flare-ups.  

But despite all her struggles, she charmed everyone at the shelter with her sweet personality. In her adoption bio, staff even wrote, ‘This little French fry is adored by everyone. She loves to be cradled like a baby and snores like an old man.’ They cared for her deeply and worked hard to get her well enough to be cleared for adoption.  

Because she needed ongoing monitoring and a strict routine, Luna was placed as a foster-to-adopt once she was stable enough to go home. 

Meeting Luna 

After losing her beloved Boxer, Addie, Angela wasn’t sure her heart was ready for another dog. But as the months passed, the quiet in her home pushed her to start browsing the SPCA website. She began to tell herself, “I really do need a dog in my life.”

She didn’t want a puppy and even met another dog at the shelter, but it wasn’t the right match. Feeling discouraged, she took one last look online on New Year’s Eve and saw Luna for the first time. 

“As soon as I saw her face, I knew she was the one and that she needed me, but little did I know I needed her more,” says Angela. That same day, she got off work early and rushed over to meet Luna. “Before the end of the day, she was my sweet darling.”  

When she learned more about Luna’s medical history, she felt her instinct confirmed. “I knew then that she really did need me.”

The connection was immediate. “My heart filled with love the instant I saw her. She was so tiny and I felt like she needed the protection and unlimited love only I could give her, with a quiet home to recover with peace and safety,” says Angela. 

For Angela, taking on Luna’s medical needs wasn’t a deterrent, it was something she felt prepared for. Having had Boxers for most of her life, she was familiar with pet health concerns and the financial commitment required. “I understand lots of pets end up at shelters because people can’t afford to give them the care they need and that breaks my heart.” 

Forever Home 

Luna settled into her new home seamlessly. “It was like we had always been together,” says Angela. “She settled right in and didn’t take long to realize this was her home and she was staying with ‘her’ human.”  

Her confidence grew with time, and Luna quickly became a loving, social little companion. 

Angela takes her everywhere, and Luna enjoys meeting people. “It warms my heart to see people love on her as she is so precious and deserves more love than I could ever give her myself.” 

Luna’s quirks make Angela smile and have become part of their everyday life. “She still loves to be cradled like a baby, and snores like a trooper in that position too,” says Angela. She even got her a baby bouncer, which Luna uses all the time.  

During walks, Luna has developed a signature move: she does a rolling nose dive, ending up on her back, where she stops for a quick belly rub. 

With support from her veterinarian, Angela has been able to adjust Luna’s care as her health improved. Luna no longer needs medication and they’ve been able to manage her health with simple home remedies and a controlled diet. She’s now on an ‘added fish and protein diet’ which has helped her to bulk up a little. 

The theme of this month’s newsletter is family, and for Angela, the meaning is clear. “It’s just her, I, and my white dove Laverne. They’re my whole family and I live for them.” 

The joy Luna brings is immeasurable. “She has changed my life. She has brought me so much joy with the love she has to give and the laughter she brings to myself and everyone she encounters,” says Angela. “People get such a chuckle when we’re out shopping and they round the corner and realize all the snorts and snoots they’ve been hearing are coming from Luna.” 

Angela encourages others who are considering adopting a pet to have an open heart. “Don’t judge a book by its cover because sometimes love is the cure. Mental health is part of their health too,” she says. 

She also shares a message of gratitude for the SPCA team. “Thank you to the team at the SPCA. They worked incredibly hard to nurse Luna back to health and give her a second chance after a bad start. They clearly saw this tiny, damaged soul as a special gift, or a fallen angel who now finally has her wings back.” 

 

Kirsten Millar

Kirsten is an animal lover and proud “dog aunt” who recently lost her two cats that she adopted from the SPCA in 2007. She volunteers at the SPCA to honour their memory and help other animals like them.

When the Stars Aligned: Scooby Doo’s Story

October 22, 2025

By Judy Layne

Some things are just meant to be. That’s how Tara felt when she first saw Scooby Doo on the SPCA website. The family had lost their beloved dog, Pocket and they were looking for a companion for themselves and their cat, Gemma.

“Scooby’s sweet face, along with his story, drew us to him,” said Tara. “There was just something about him that spoke to us more than any other dog (no offence to the other dogs; of course, we want all of them to have amazing homes). Scooby exuded kindness through his pictures, and his photos said we have to take him home now! The fact that he is an amputee didn’t concern us; it was actually the icing on the cake! When I read that Scooby was missing one of his hind feet, I felt like it was meant to be as I lost the same foot as him due to an infection.”

No one knows what happened to three-year old Scooby’s right hind foot. He was brought to safety at the Cape Breton Shelter by the SPCA Enforcement Team on October 16th last year. Scooby was extremely shy when he first arrived. He was afraid to walk out of the door, and sometimes, would be so nervous, he would lie down on the floor and staff would have to carry him. Staff and volunteers showered Scooby with love and over time, he became more confident and was happy to play in the yard or go for walks. But he patiently waited 110 days to find a loving home.

Scooby’s story touched Tara’s family’s hearts, and his photos spoke to them all the way from Cape Breton to Middle Sackville. On February 2nd this year, they travelled almost 4 hours to meet him! And Scooby Doo made a grand entrance at his meet-and-greet. Tara recalled “Scooby came into the room like a hurricane and then without hesitation, he flipped on his back for a belly rub! He greeted me, my dad James and my mom Gail, and seemed to know we were there to take him home. It was an instant connection. There was no doubt he belonged with us and we belonged with him.”

The family had adopted special needs pets before, but they weren’t specifically looking for one when they saw Scooby. “All of the stars aligned, and Scooby came into our orbit,” exclaimed Tara. “Having Scooby missing the same foot has helped me feel seen. I can also interpret how he might be feeling body-wise based on my own experiences with my amputation. It’s truly an exceptional and surreal experience!”

Scooby adapted very well to his new home. Gail said “We did not have to make any changes to our home, as we already had a ramp on our deck, and there is only one step inside our house which he can clear with much more ease than we can. We didn’t even have to ‘Scooby-proof’ our home because he never got into anything at first. Now that time has gone on, he loves to treasure hunt, so we have had to be vigilant and make sure the bandit doesn’t run away with anything he’s not supposed to. He makes us laugh when he’s doing it, though.”

You know your family loves you when they give you 11 nicknames! Scooby’s include: “Scooba-Dooba, Scooba-Steve, Chaos, Scoobaroo, Scoobaroni, Bubby, Bubby-Boy, Count Scoobula, Scoobalicious, Scoobee, Batdog.”

Scooby’s transformation is heartwarming. Tara said “When he first got here, dog toys were lying around the house that he would not touch. One day, my dad gave him a toy, and his reaction was priceless. He now had his own toy, and he took off running with it. He cried when he got his first bone.”

Scooby is a testament to resilience, showing that physical limitations do not define us! “Scooby has certainly adapted well to his surroundings, especially with his leg,” said James. “It’s incredible to recall that initially, he was afraid to go outside, and now he demands multiple walks a day. He has even gone on hikes! Missing a foot does not slow him down at all and definitely makes him more endearing. He has a fantastic spirit and personality and a lot of love to give.”

Scooby is becoming more confident with people and is coming out of his shell. Tara related “New people still make him nervous, but he is making great strides in becoming more social! Recently, I was getting off the bus and my dad was outside with Scooby. Scooby dragged my dad across the yard to meet my bus driver and let the driver pet him. This was a huge accomplishment!”

Scooby not only inherited a forever family, but also, a feline sister Gemma. “Scooby absolutely LOVES her,” said Tara. “He also loves the neighbourhood dogs and cats and enjoys the company of one of our neighbourhood children.”

Scooby is definitely living his best life. He enjoys treasure hunting, playing with his kitty sister, following bees around the yard, rubbing his butt on juniper trees, going for walks and acting like a puppy.

Scooby has made a world of difference in the family’s lives as well. They shared “When we lost our beloved dog, Pocket, our world was much darker. Gemma, our cat, was grieving hard as she had always been in our home with another dog. Scooby has lifted all of our spirits, and Gemma is happy again. His progress, happiness, and bravery have been the most rewarding to us. He is a kind soul who has never lost his spirit despite his background. We feel honoured that he loves and trusts us after everything he has been through.”

And beyond Scooby’s amazing personality, he is an inspiration for how he overcame the loss of his foot. He just figured it out and kept going. His resilience is impressive.

The family is grateful to the SPCA for playing a vital role in giving Scooby a second chance at happiness. They said “The SPCA rescued him from a situation that was far from ideal, nursed him back to health, and showed him immeasurable love. He wouldn’t be where he is today without the care of the SPCA.”

For anyone hesitant about adopting a pet with special needs, Tara says “Do it! Give them time and space and let them know that you are there to support them. There’s so much joy in giving a special needs pet a home and watching them flourish. You show them kindness, care, love and trust and they become the perfect pet for you!”

To find your perfect match, visit our website to see other adoptable animals waiting for their forever homes.  

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Understanding the commitment involved in adopting a special needs pet is crucial to a happy healthy relationship. There are important things to consider before adopting a pet with special needs.

  • Think about any long-term dietary requirements, special medications or treatments your pet will need. Pets with behavioral issues may need special training; those with mobility challenges may need therapy or surgery. Ensure you can fit these costs into your family’s budget.
  • Your pet may need medications/injections at specific times of day. Ensure you’re available to do this.
  • Talk with your family about the challenges that come with adopting a special needs pet and ensure everyone’s onboard.
  • Your pet may need more frequent vet visits. Pets with an injury or physical disability may need assistance with standing or walking. Some may need you to physically accompany them outside for bathroom breaks, as opposed to simply being let out.

The NS SPCA makes every effort to place special needs pets with their perfect human match. Before deciding to adopt, speak to shelter staff since they’re familiar with the animal and consult with your vet to get a good understanding of the pet’s ongoing requirements. Whatever the pet’s special needs, the SPCA will be there before and after adopting to support you by providing information and advice.

Judy Layne

Judy is a dedicated volunteer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. She is committed to speaking for animals who cannot speak for themselves.

A Talent for Caring

October 22, 2025

By Sarah Lyon

It would be weird if someone who lived for a brief period of time as a child in a dog shelter did not want to work with animals as an adult.  
 
“My mom was friends with, and worked for, a famous dog trainer in New Zealand; she was learning to be a trainer, and was a groomer,” says Eiffel Lai. “We lived at his home, which had a dog shelter on the property, so my earliest memories are being three and surrounded by dogs.”  
 
As a child, for a moment, she wanted to be a singer and dancer, but she knew her real talent was caring for animals. So, her childhood dream became working at an SPCA, which then inspired the dream to become a veterinarian.  
 
“It wasn’t a singular line to become a veterinarian,” says Lai. “I have a beagle with a chronic illness, and I thought about how I wasn’t equipped if he needed immediate help,” says Lai. “That’s when I said, ‘I am going to gain the knowledge and skills needed to help animals whenever they need help; I am going to be a veterinarian’.”  


It’s safe to say that when Eiffel puts her mind to something, she works hard to get it. In September, she started her studies at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown, PEI.
 
Born in Hong Kong, her family immigrated to New Zealand, then Papua New Guinea, where her dad ran a fishing company. Like his daughter and wife, he too wanted to help animals, and soon enough, their home was filled with exotic and companion animals. With education on their minds, the family landed in Canada for Eiffel to start high school.  
 
After she graduated from high school in Ontario, Eiffel moved to Nova Scotia to attend Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus. She studied and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioveterinary Science, minoring in equine science and with an undergraduate certificate in animal welfare.
 
“My passion is animal welfare and animal behaviour,” says Lai. “I did a lot of electives focused on those two areas.”

We might think that getting into Veterinary school means good grades, an application, and maybe an essay. “The process to apply for veterinary school has academic requirements like pre-requisite courses and minimum grade ranges,” says Eiffel. “But they also want you to have veterinary experience – working under a veterinarian, and animal experience, working with animals.” For Lai, there was also her desire to be picked as a domestic student, which meant she had to live in Nova Scotia for two years after she earned her Bachelor of Science degree. For those two years, Eiffel would get to experience her childhood dream of working at an SPCA when she saw a job posting at the Nova Scotia SPCA Colchester Shelter.  
 
“I was ecstatic when I saw the job posting,” she says. “I started as an animal care attendant and receptionist. My managers saw my natural ability around animal behaviours, and a year in, I was leading dog enrichment, daily care, and dog behaviours.” 
 
Eiffel pauses when she talks about the managers at the shelter, Jenna MacKay and Jessica Murphy; she wants to make sure they are recognized for the part they played in her journey to veterinary school.   
 
“They were more than managers, they were mentors,” she says. “Jenna spent so much time after work, late nights under parking lot lights, talking about animal behaviours, which she herself is doing a master’s program in Clinical Animal Behaviour. And Jessica, who is a Registered Veterinary Technician, answered all my medical questions and shared her love of animal medicine with me.”  
 
Together, Lai says, they inspired her and helped her set a goal: to pursue shelter medicine after graduating from veterinary school. 

“I found out I had been accepted to veterinary college to pursue a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, when I was at work. Immediately, I was surrounded by all the staff in the biggest group hug as I bawled. I am glad they were there holding me up in that hug, because my legs were shaking too,” laughs Lai. So connected is Eiffel to the team at SPCA Colchester that she asked her former managers to do her the honour of cloaking her at a very important ceremony.  
 
“The blue coat ceremony celebrates your first step towards becoming a veterinarian. You invite people who supported you on your journey to veterinary school to come and ‘cloak’ you. When you graduate, you get the white coat,’ explains Lai. “I asked Jenna and Jessica, and my parents, to be part of the ceremony as they were all important in my journey.” While a guest per participant limit meant only her parents could attend, Lai can’t stop talking about the influence her time with Jenna and Jessica, and the Colchester SPCA  in general, has had on her future plans. 
 
During her time working in the Colchester SPCA, Eiffel saw many animals come into the shelter with behaviour issues and knows that prolonged living in a shelter environment does not help. “Employees in shelters are doing everything they can to help, but a shelter is not a home,” she says. After graduation, she plans to work in animal shelters as a vet behaviourist, so she has the capability to diagnose and treat animals both medically and behaviourally. “I want to specialize in animal behaviours to reduce an animal’s time in the shelter, developing proactive plans to prevent the development and deterioration of behavioural issues, improving welfare in shelters and adoption outcomes, making shelters even safer for staff, volunteers, and potential adopters.
 
“It’s a big goal, but ultimately I want to make a meaningful impact on both shelter animals and the people who interact with them.” Eiffel believes that everyone in a shelter environment plays an important role in the well-being of companion animals and is hopeful that when it comes time for her rotations, she finds herself back at the SPCA.  
 
“The SPCA has such a great team from reception to animal care attendants, to managers and veterinary medical staff. They all play a significant role in advocating for animals and healing animals. We all want to make a difference, me included.” 

Sarah Lyon

Sarah is the Chief Communications & Marketing Officer with the Nova Scotia SPCA. She carries on her heart the paw prints of her former rescue dog Mz. Roxy Roller. Telling the stories of adopters, donors, and volunteers is what makes her tail wag. Connect with Sarah at slyon@spcans.ca or 902-229-8620 today.

A Home for Healing: How Fostering Led the Hanlon Family to Tula

October 22, 2025

By Kirsten Millar

When Rosalie Hanlon and her family moved from Halifax in 2019, they fell in love with the beauty and community the Annapolis Valley has to offer. After travelling through Asia earlier that year, they were looking for somewhere with more space where they could support Rosalie’s mother through early-onset Alzheimer’s. They were ready for a new chapter surrounded by community, and, as it turned out, cats. 

“When Covid-19 hit, we realized we would be staying put for the foreseeable future,” says Rosalie. “As four cat lovers, we decided that the SPCA’s kitten fostering program would be a great fit for us. We didn’t want to add another permanent member of our family until we felt more confident in what the future held.” 

They joined the SPCA foster program in 2020, quickly learning the ropes of caring for fosters which were sometimes mother cats with kittens or litters on their own. Their home became a haven for these tiny paws. 

“Our neighbourhood was a great help with socializing the kittens. Many sweet hands helped build trust and share love with the little kittens,” says Rosalie. 

Thanks to Rosalie’s family and community, many kittens and moms were able to find their forever homes. Eventually, they decided to branch out and foster older cats who were recovering from illness or needed a few weeks away from the shelter. 

Then, in August 2023, an email arrived about a cat named Tula at the SPCA Kings Shelter who needed a foster home. Tula had a lesion in her mouth that wasn’t healing and had required multiple trips to vets to determine the cause. 

“The SPCA was very clear when I picked her up that this was potentially a terminal situation and would only be until the results of her biopsy came back,” says Rosalie. “It was the one-year anniversary of my mom’s passing when the ask came to foster Tula. I felt confident everyone in our family understood what we were taking on. We had a litter of kittens at the time as well, but it just felt right.” 

When Tula arrived home, the Hanlon’s were struck by how sweet and gentle she was. 

“She spent the first night on our oldest child’s bed, and the look on his face the next morning was clear. I said, ‘You love her, don’t you?’ He replied simply but sincerely, ‘Yes,’” says Rosalie.

While they waited for test results, Rosalie checked in often with the SPCA. “She didn’t seem to be in pain,” she says. “So, we made a plan to keep her comfortable with us for as long as she wasn’t suffering.” 

Then came the call, and a surprising voicemail. 

“The SPCA called and left us this message: ‘We have bad news. Tula doesn’t have cancer. If you want to keep her, you’ll have to pay to adopt her,’” says Rosalie. “So, as you can imagine, it was quite a roller coaster of emotions. It was so exciting to learn that she wasn’t terminally ill, and there was never a question about whether we would keep her. She was clearly part of our family. We feel very lucky to be the ones to adopt her.” 

Since then, Tula has fully embraced her role as queen of the household. She wasn’t a fan of the foster kittens, so the decision was made for the Hanlon’s to become a one-animal home, which helped lessen Tula’s anxieties and allowed her to thrive. 

“She has the run of our porch, hunts the flies that sneak into our home, and loves to curl up near the fireplace in the winter,” says Rosalie. “She sleeps on a special pillow in our youngest child’s room now and is well loved by everyone.” 

Tula’s personality has the chance to shine now, and she’s become very talkative. She loves telling her family when her food bowl is empty and yelling at them to let her out on the porch. And while she’s mostly calm and sweet, she gets the 8 p.m. zoomies where she likes to run around attacking ankles and pants.

And she’s not shy about joining in on family time. “Tula regularly joins us for dinner by sitting on a chair at the table,” says Rosalie. “We recently had dinner guests, and all the chairs were taken. Tula meowed loudly until we got her a chair. Then she jumped up and happily enjoyed watching us eat.” 

A year after adopting Tula, the family moved into their forever home, and of course, Tula came along for the adventure. During her first visit, she slipped between the floors through the unfinished basement. “We weren’t going to sleep in a different house from Tula,” says Rosalie. So, the family camped out on the floor until she came down to join them. 

It didn’t take long for her to settle in, but her secret passage has since been sealed off. “Sorry, Tula,” Rosalie jokes. 

Tula came to her new family during a period of healing. After experiencing loss, there were many difficult feelings in the Hanlon home. In a way, they needed Tula as much as she needed them. “Tula seems to sense who needs attention and will sit or sleep near them. She loves to be part of whatever is going on and we love to have her close by,” says Rosalie. 

Rosalie hopes others will consider opening their homes to animals in need. 

“Animals provide so much comfort,” says Rosalie. “The foster program is a great way to connect with animals when life is uncertain or the costs of animal ownership are high. You’ll be providing a great service, but it will give you companionship and support you may not realize you need. And you might find a member of your family you didn’t know was missing. Just remember to give them a chair!” 

Thank you to our fosters for all you do. To learn more about becoming a foster, click here. 

Kirsten Millar

Kirsten is an animal lover and proud “dog aunt” who recently lost her two cats that she adopted from the SPCA in 2007. She volunteers at the SPCA to honour their memory and help other animals like them.

Paws and Purpose: Jacelen’s Story

October 22, 2025

By Paula Nalbaru

Sometimes life doesn’t go the way you planned. Your first reaction might be to change the goal.  

Or you might just need to adjust the path towards that goal.   

That is something Jacelen David did. Her love for animals started at a young age. If you looked for Jacelen, she was most likely caring for a hamster, guinea pig, bunny, fish, cat, or her greatest love, a dog. It felt only natural that the answer to “what do you want to do when you grow up?” was to help animals.  

Fascinated by animals and their behaviours, Jacelen started a Veterinary Technician program. “Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we had to study from home, which didn’t work well for me, and I ended up failing. At the time, I felt discouraged and shifted to personal training for a while. But when I discovered a Veterinary Assistant Program [at the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare], I knew I wanted to try again and follow the path I truly cared about,” Jacelen explained.  

Not only did the program speak to her passion and interest, she said she also followed the College on Instagram and saw how, “students before me enjoyed the program, which inspired me to apply.”  

She did, and Jacelen found herself going back to school shopping and in a classroom again in September 2024.  

The one-year Veterinary Assistant (VA) Program packs in a lot of information, but it leaves enough time for students to gain hands-on experience either by in-class interactions with animals, rotations at different animal facilities, or internships.  

“The most memorable moments for me were the rotations. I really enjoyed Playful Paws because all the dogs got the chance to be out with others, and it was so rewarding to watch. Tartan Tails Veterinary Hospital was another highlight, being able to see surgeries up close and even helping prep animals [for surgery] beforehand was amazing,” Jacelen said. 

If you read the Veterinary Assistant Program information on the website, one thing that comes up regularly is animal behaviour, and that was a topic that Jacelen mentioned multiple times. “Animals can tell you so much through the smallest movements, and learning to recognize those signals gave me a deeper appreciation for their boundaries and how important it is to respect them,” she explained. 

While Jacelen went back to school to follow her passion, the financial decision wasn’t an easy one. However, when she found out about the Benjamin James McIsaac Memorial Bursary, she was inspired by it and sent in an application.  

The bursary was established in memory of former Nova Scotia SPCA board member and donor, Benjamin McIsaac. Every year, two students are selected to receive a bursary of $1,000 to support their education at the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare. The bursary, set up by the Nova Scotia SPCA and Ben’s family, is a tribute to him and his dedication to the charitable sector and love of animals.  

Jacelen was excited when she received the news that she was one of the two recipients. She said, “Winning the bursary really helped me with tuition. My family and I paid out of pocket for the program, with no student loans, so receiving this support felt like a blessing. It made me feel that I was meant to be here [in the VA program] and that everything was aligning for me.”  

Now that she has graduated, Jacelen is holding on to the sentiment of being where she is meant to be as she embarks on new journeys. 

One journey is going from an intern to a full time ER Veterinary Assistant with Coastal Care Veterinary Emergency & Referral Hospital.  

The other is continuing her time with the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare. She will be working as an Animal Care Career Coordinator for a new Animal Care Career Exploration Program, funded by TELUS. 

The program will provide learning opportunities for youth ages 12-16 from equity-seeking communities about different roles within the animal care industry. 

For Jacelen, working with youth seemed like the place to be, where she could put previous experiences into practice. “I’m excited to both learn and help youth learn. I love seeing people come out of their shells and discover things about themselves. Representation is so important, too. When you see someone like you in a space, it makes you feel more comfortable trying new things,” she added.  

A year later from the start of the program, excited for the future and knowing she chose the right path for her, she gained some experience and had some tips to share for anyone who wants a career in the field, such as doing co-ops and volunteering at animal shelters. “Most importantly, always take care of yourself, mentally, emotionally, and physically.”  

We know everyone, from instructors to family and friends, is proud of Jacelen and everything she accomplished. 

But above all else, on a humid summer morning, when she received her diploma, Jacelen was even prouder of how far she’s come.  

She stated, “During the very first week of school, I lost my soul dog, Carmella, who was 17. That loss put me in a very cloudy headspace, but I’m proud of myself for pushing through the hard days and continuing this journey.”
   

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Learn more about the Nova Scotia SPCA College of Animal Welfare by visiting the website.  

If you want to read more about the bursary, you can read the full story about Ben’s life and dedication to his community here.  

Paula Nalbaru

Paula Nalbaru is the Philanthropy Communications Coordinator with the Nova Scotia SPCA. Her work and writing are inspired by the love and lessons her doggo Summer brought into her life, while her cat Marshmallow continues to bring light and laughter to her home.