PAWS relies on the help of hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time to helping companion animals, rehabilitating wildlife, raising money, and educating the community. Since 2002 Sylvia has volunteered at PAWS in three important ways:

• As a Humane Educator, she has traveled to local schools to teach students about responsible animal care, over-population of cats and dogs, helping wildlife, and understanding farm animals.
• In the summer months, she has worked as a Bird Nursery Caretaker helping to rehabilitate nestling (baby) and fledgling (teenage) songbirds.
• As a member of the PAWS Development Committee, Sylvia works year-round helping raise money for PAWS. PAWS is a nonprofit Organization or Charity, which means we depend on generous people to give us money to help animals.

As a Bird Nursery Caretaker in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Sylvia sees many interesting animals. Her favorite birds to watch are Northern Flickers (also known as woodpeckers). This is how Sylvia describes them eating:

"When the Flickers are teenagers, they hang from the walls of the bird aviary (an outdoor bird enclosure). We smear food on wood, which the flickers then lick off. They look like little flying ant eaters when they quickly stick their long skinny tongues out to lick the food."

Sylvia has wanted to help animals for many years. "I am very aware that my connection with animals has been a powerful part of my life," she explains. "Animals continue to teach me how to love, how to be sad, how to be patient, and how to accept others. I feel it is my duty to give back to my animal teachers."