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SHERWOOD, Ore. (InvestigateTV) – Giving time through volunteer work can make a big difference for the cause, but also for the volunteer. Research shows volunteering can offer benefits for mental health
The Mayo Clinic says it can reduce stress and increase feel-good hormones in the brain. Volunteering can also provide purpose
At the Cat Alliance Team Sanctuary in Sherwood, Oregon, it’s hard to tell the difference between who’s helping and who’s being helped. The volunteers say they get so much out of their time there
The sanctuary houses 140 cats. Every room has 15 to 25 cats. One room has more feral cats because it will be their forever home
The cats may not appear to be picture perfect pets. Hobbit was born with no eyelids. Tommy has an underbite. One cat was adopted once, but kept attacking the other cat, so the sanctuary took him back
Every cat has a story and a name. Reatha Larson knows them all
“I manage the kitties that live here. Most of them are unadoptable. That’s what we were built for because most rescues take in the adoptable ones,” Larson said
Running a sanctuary with 140 cats is a lot of work. To keep it running smoothly, Larson relies on her team of volunteers
Elizabeth Lindemann has been volunteering for about two years
“I will help with the water and the food, and if the staff needs help with litter boxes, I will do that,” Lindemann said. “I consider myself another set of eyes for the kitties.”
As much as Lindemann does to help the cats and the shelter, she said what she’s gotten back is more
“For me personally, it has helped me be calm and has helped me with a sense of accomplishment and build a community. It has helped me step out of my comfort zone,” Lindemann said
Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress, improve self-esteem and offer a sense of purpose. Lindemann said this opportunity to serve has provided all of that, and it came at the right time in her life
“I think sometimes for an older person, for whatever their background, their mental health can go like this,” Lindemann said, waving her hands up and down like a wave
“Volunteering helps my mental health in a way that there is stability, there’s a connection outside of myself,” Lindemann said
That connection propels the cycle of the volunteers helping the shelter, the shelter helping the cats, and the cats helping the volunteers
“Volunteering reinforces that I’m needed here and I’m contributing to the world,” Lindemann said
The sanctuary is always looking for more volunteers. Larson said it’s a great activity for parents and kids to come in together
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