Most people know me for playing Dawn on “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn,” and for playing Sophie on “A Million Little Things,” but what some people don’t know about me is my love and passion for animals. When I was a little girl and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I didn’t say an actress, I said a veterinarian!
I was 7-years-old when I learned about the ASPCA and what the organization did for animals. I learned about animal abuse and read into some cases around the world. Being so young, I wasn’t familiar with such things and I was deeply affected knowing such cruel practices took place. I decided I wanted to help out, so I spoke with the principal at my elementary school and asked if I could set up an ASPCA charity booth at the front of the school.
I kept the booth up for a week, and the kids at my school took initiative. They brought anything they had to donate, and some kids even brought their allowance! It made me so happy to see such selfless people help out my cause. We raised a happy amount, and I was so ecstatic to drop it off at the ASPCA office in my area. They were happy to see young supporters, and I was just happy to know it was going to help!
As I’ve grown up, I’ve become more invested in learning about the conditions some animals are kept in around the world. I try to read and learn as much as I can about the issues, even if they are hard to see.
Animals can’t speak for themselves. They can’t voice their pain or their suffering. They need people to stand up for them, especially because with today’s current laws, animal abuse is most commonly charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. Helping animals is so near and dear to my heart, and the ASPCA has inspired me so much. I hope in the next few years I’ll be able to start a organization where we can make moves toward a future where animal abuse is a thing of the past!
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