Promote Cat Well Being at Tree House

When I volunteered as a clinic assistant at the Tree House Humane Society, I didn't realize just how handy my training as a registered nurse would come in. The Tree House Humane Society, located at 1629 North Ashland Avenue in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, is a cat shelter and clinic that's been around since 1971.

I enjoyed taking care of the cats in a clinical setting while helping to maintain their IV lines to rehydrate them. Administering intravenous fluids to a cat is not that much different from human intravenous fluid administration. Although I love being a registered nurse, I always had a love for animals and even thought about becoming a vet. Working at the cat clinic gave me the opportunity to use my clinical skills in an animal environment that I loved.

I had so much fun working with the other volunteers, and sometimes would even divide my time helping out in the cats' living quarters, cleaning and mopping. The best part about this volunteer opportunity was seeing sick cats improve because of the care that I gave them.

If you want to know how you can help as a clinic assistant, call Tree House at 773-227-5535 or check out their website.

Sources: Personal Experience
Tree House Humane Society
http://www.treehouseanimals.org/Tree%20House%20Site-volunteer.htm