A Day in the Life of the Shelter

Whittier Education Center student photographers shared many of their images, taken at the Washington Animal Rescue League's shelter and medical center, during a one day exhibit A Day in the Life of the Shelter on display in the foyer at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton's office arranged for the special venue. Mrs. Norton viewed the students' work, listened to them tell about their experiences and spoke to them and the other guests. Mrs. Norton encouraged the students to continue taking pictures and to keep caring about animals.

Families, friends, Washington Animal Rescue League staff, Whittier Education Center teachers and administrators, and House members and their staffers toured the 17 panel exhibit. Photos of dogs and cats recovering from spay surgery, cuddling with volunteers, and cared for by staff were displayed along with a number of portraits. The photos, part of a national Be Kind to Animals Week celebration, had visitors smiling and oohing and aahing..

Students did not shoot pictures during the event. Joyce Davis, a Washington Animal Rescue League volunteer, covered the reception, taking the pictures featured in this entry. Student photographers posed with Mrs. Norton, police officer Heather Straker and with their work.

The League was very proud of the students. Their work will travel to other sites. And, we hope that not only will the fifteen students continue to tell stories through photos and accompanying journal entries, but that the League can work with another group of student photographers before Be Kind to Animals Week in 2010.

A huge Thank You goes to nature photographer Joanne Miller who oversaw the artistic end of the project and Whittier Education Center Literacy Coach Jackie Anderson who was our school liaison.