On Tuesday, Reddit member puglife123, a volunteer at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society, snapped a photo of fellow volunteer Sandy Barbabella doing what she does as a labor of love, reading to homeless pups waiting for their forever homes. Since then, the image has gone viral and been picked up by several national online media outlets, including the Huffington Post. While she's gained attention online for her actions, Barbabella said she prefers not to receive attention from her work.
Barbabella spends the entire day once a week at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society lovingly reading to the dogs in a kind, gentle voice. She also patiently teaches them to sit with a clicker device and to give her their paw.
There was a time in Barbabella’s life when she had a constant four-legged companion: Her Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Angus, who she humorously named after a member of the band AC/DC. It has been a year-and-a-half since Angus died at 14 years old, and his dish lays empty in the kitchen and leash by the back door.
Barbabella said she can't help but get teary when talking about Angus. As a way to give back for the love he gave her, this mother of four now mothers countless dogs waiting for their forever homes at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society in Pittsburgh's North Side.
A resident of Pittsburgh "for only 24 years," Sandy remembers the WPHS before the new building and can't forget the compassion and care that she sees every time she walks through the doors.
"I went to North Carolina last winter to be with my son, and when I came home, I was right back the next week. The WPHS is a beautiful facility with really caring people. On my first day back, I was greeted by the volunteer coordinator and even the facilities man who is so kind and works so hard for those animals," she said.
Barbabella comes back to volunteer her time, week after week, to spend her day with the pups.
"I enjoy it and probably get as much out of it as the dogs," she said. "They are all my favorites. Sometimes I just stand with the dogs in (the) holding (room), and tears run down my face thinking about how people can do such things to animals."
"Volunteers like Sandy are one of the most important puzzle pieces when caring for pets in a shelter environment,” WPHS director Joy Braunstein said. “We are so thankful to Sandy for her ongoing support of our pups. She has impacted so many lives through her time and her deep compassion."
For more information on volunteering or giving to the WPHS, CLICK HERE.
