Above / Kathryn Prerost is an 8th grade student who enjoys time with Rosebud, a collie owned by Bernie and Ted Slupik, founders of Lizzy’s Fund, a charity that helps senior dogs and utilizes the dogs while visiting senior residents in nursing homes.
Kathryn Prerost is an 8th grade student, active in music and local musical productions. Two years ago, she was touched by a presentation given to her then-6th grade class about the benefits of volunteering and animal-assisted therapy.
Soon after, Prerost became an active volunteer of Lizzy’s Fund, an IRS 501(c)(3) charity that helps senior dogs and utilizes the dogs while visiting senior residents in nursing homes.
Last year Prerost wrote an article about her experiences with dogs and volunteering which was entered in a national writing competition hosted by the Dog Writers Association of America. Her story won the 2019 Young Writer of the Year award, a Maxwell Medallion, and a cash prize. She is one of 12 volunteers at her junior high school and the second student to win this prestigious award.
In February 2020, the young writer will be traveling with her family to New York to officially accept her awards.
‘Chain Reaction’ by Kathryn Prerost
The first full question I believe I ever asked was “Mommy, can I have a dog?” Ever since I learned that phrase, I never stopped repeating it. But she fooled me. She got me fish. I was very excited, named all 12 of them and gave them way more food than they should have had. After a while, all of the fish died and I was devastated but I moved on pretty quickly. I asked again if I could have a dog. I’m sure all of you know what my Mom said after that. “No!” So instead of asking for a dog, I moved onto dreaming I’d be a veterinarian.
This was a big dream for a second grader. I used my imagination by pretending that my dog was sick, and I’d help her out and we’d be best friends. This phase lasted a long time but I eventually started to forget about it, along with the idea of having a dog. But suddenly, all my friends started getting dogs. I was stuck with nothing. I told my Mom that everyone else was getting a dog; that this was unfair. My Mom just kept returning to the same point, “It’s too messy to have a dog in our house.”
Eventually, my Dad and I were doing a bunch of research and we found a dog in a foster home that was rescued from a kill shelter in Kentucky. Her name was Maggie and my whole family instantly fell in love with her, even my Mom. Without telling my Mom, my Dad scheduled an appointment to see her at her foster home and eventually, we adopted her. It was the best day of my life!
Fast forward a bit, and I’m in sixth grade. I trudged into the school thinking it would be any regular, boring day. But when I turned into the Learning Commons, something was different. There was a very fluffy collie dog named Rosebud, and let me just say, that dog was more popular than Michael Jackson! I squeezed my way into the front of the crowd, bent down, and patted Rosebud’s head. She immediately started attacking my face with kisses. I later found out that we were getting a talk from Rosebud’s owners. They talked about their dogs, Sophie and Rosebud and their senior dog charity, “Lizzy’s Fund.” I had no idea what to expect, but I had high standards because there was a dog involved. I sat down and saw three girls, one of which I already knew, holding Rosebud’s leash and leading her around. I wondered if I could actually do that one day, then I could help, too! I guess my dream about helping dogs could come true!
My friends, Lauren and Evelyn, asked if I would like to be a Junior Handler for Lizzy’s Fund with them! I was willing to try! We went to a nursing home with Rosebud and her owners. I got butterflies in my stomach. They immediately flew away when I touched Rosebud. Petting her made me feel instantly better! I was taught how to hold the leash, handle the dog, and how to make sure the residents were comfortable with petting them. I also learned how to make friendships with the residents while they were petting the dogs. After the day was done, I got my wristband because I passed the test! I was so excited for the next visit!
When the next visit came, I was jubilant to go. While driving there, I asked what we’re doing that day and my friends said we’re helping out a party! I thought it was one of the resident’s birthdays, but later found it was a dog’s birthday! The small dog’s name was Pixie, I felt connected to her since I’m the smallest in my grade too. I ended up holding Pixie the whole time. I met more people who welcomed me with open arms and made me feel like I belonged there even though I had no clue what I was doing half of the time. I was looking forward to seeing everyone next time and being part of the team!
When Rosebud’s owners sent me an email inviting Lauren, Evelyn, and I (along with Moms) to come over to their house to help set up for the Thanksgiving party, I knew it was going to be a fun night. When we arrived, they were very excited to see us. We all sat down making turkey cutouts for the nursing home residents, eating barbeque pizza, and laughing! It was such a happy atmosphere. I never wanted to leave!
Today, I’m a junior handler with some amazing friendships and have had some great opportunities. One thing I noticed on our trips to the nursing home was that whenever residents see one of the dogs, their faces light up and they immediately start calling the dogs over. I never really imagined that dogs could make that kind of impact on people. They pet the dogs, then they start having conversations with us too! It’s like their days have suddenly gotten much better. I don’t blame them. Dogs are fun to be around! Some of our junior high handler pictures with the residents are hanging up in some of their rooms! Lizzy’s Fund isn’t just for Senior Dogs, it’s for everyone.
Rosebud’s owners may not realize that they created a chain reaction. When someone’s happy they want to spread the joy. When they spread that joy, it makes other people happy, so on and so forth. So just think of that happy chain reaction whenever you see another dog, and try and spread the happiness that dogs bring into people’s lives.
This award-winning story by Kathryn Prerost is to be presented in two parts in the print editions of Positively Naperville, first in January 2020, followed in February 2020. Photos courtesy of Bernie Slupik. Congratulations, Kathryn!
