Meet three Singaporeans who are making our home a kinder city – and prove there is profound joy and purpose in giving
When she’s not lecturing part time at LASALL E College of the Arts, this canine lover spends her time rehabilitating rescue dogs and running marathons to raise funds and awareness for these animals.
In March, she ran across Hong Kong’s Lantau Island in the Translantau 50 km marathon, in rugged terrain, to raise money for Save Our Street Dogs (SOSD).
Her passion for dog rescue and welfare began in 2011, when she successfully fostered and rehabilitated a rescued Shetland Sheepdog. “I was appalled at how she had been neglected and abused as a breeding dog when she came to me in a malnourished and diseased state. I toilet-trained her, taught her to walk on a leash and socialised Every day her with my dog, and finally managed to rehome her,” Marie shares. “That same year, I visited a dog shelter in Pasir Ris Farmway and was shocked to learn about the huge number of rescue dogs residing there.”
That aroused in Marie the desire to start volunteering.
“I began by cleaning kennels and walking the rescue dogs.
A year later, I took a course on dog behaviour and training as I wanted to do more to educate others (on dog abuse and abandonment).”
Besides advocating for more responsible dog ownership, Marie focuses on rehabilitating homeless dogs. She set up The Dog Alchemist, a service where she helps owners train and have a better relationship with their animals. “I help [the dogs] overcome their fears and issues and make them sociable and ready for adoption. If we can rehome more rescue dogs, we can free up space in shelters to help more dogs.”
