Volunteer Spotlight: Mackie

Meet Mackie! This month, we’re thrilled to highlight a dedicated senior at De LaSalle High School who has already contributed nearly 20 hours of service in our hospital. Mackie brings an impressive work ethic to every shift—especially in the laundry room, where she keeps one of our busiest behind-the-scenes spaces running smoothly. Her reliability and positive attitude make a real impact on our team and the pets we care for, and we’re grateful to have her as part of the Mission volunteer community. Thank you, Mackie!

What first inspired you to volunteer with Mission Animal Hospital? 

The mission and values that Mission Animal Hospital focuses on really inspired me to volunteer at the hospital. I love animals so much, so I knew I wanted to volunteer somewhere that helped animals, and reading the hospital’s mission just solidified it for me that this is the place where I wanted to volunteer. 

Can you share one of your favorite moments or memories from volunteering here? 

My favorite moments of volunteering are the small conversations with the veterinarians. They are all so nice to talk to, and they’re always thanking me and showing their appreciation of my volunteer work. I also enjoy walking by the animals and giving them a little wave and saying “hi” to them and seeing their little tails waggle. 

What do you enjoy most about being a part of the Mission volunteer community? 

The community the volunteers and veterinarians create is warm and amazing. Being able to be a part of such a great community that provides such good care to your animals makes me so proud and happy. 

How has volunteering at Mission impacted you personally or professionally? 

Volunteering at Mission has allowed me to see the behind-the-scenes, and seeing how committed and the hard work the veterinarians put into their work has given me comfort knowing that if I ever have a dog emergency, I have a place to go where I know they do their absolute best. 

Do you have a task, shift, or area of the hospital you love helping with? 

The laundry room is my favorite place to help out in the hospital. It’s hard work and sometimes a little dirty, but I enjoy being able to provide fresh, clean blankets and towels to animals that might be in a little bit of pain or just need a cozy blanket to curl up in. Knowing this, makes all the hard work of cleaning makes it all worth it. 

What do you wish more people knew about Mission Animal Hospital or the volunteer program? 

I wish more people knew about how great Mission Animal Hospital is and that it’s the only nonprofit full-service animal hospital in the US dedicated to creating accessible veterinary care. I also do wish people knew that you can volunteer at Mission and help a great place.

Tell us a little bit about yourself outside of Mission - pets, hobbies, fun facts, or anything that brings you joy! 

Outside of Mission Hospital, I have two dogs named Milly and Roman, and they’re the best dogs ever. I am a senior at De La Salle High School, and I enjoy crocheting, thrifting, and snowboarding. A fun fact about me is that I can wiggle my ears.