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US Navy Pulls Alongside BARC to assist Houston's Homeless Animals

(09/20/2010)

Twenty-eight Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Houston chief petty officers and chief selectees recently assisted with walking dogs, entertaining cats, and helping with necessary cleaning at BARC, the City of Houston’s animal shelter.

“I am really proud of my chiefs and chief selectees for volunteering at the shelter,” said NRD Houston Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Steven F. Friloux. “In the Navy, not only do Sailors serve their country, they also give back to the local community. Community relations projects are a way for Sailors to thank the city for supporting them and in this case teach newly selected chief petty officers to lead as well as make a difference.”

A chief selectee is a Sailor who has been selected for promotion to the senior enlisted rank of chief petty officer. Before he or she is allowed to wear the rank, they must go through extensive training in order to learn what it means to have this title and to rely on one another as a team.

"As a chief we have to instill in our Sailors the importance of helping the community,” said Chief Navy Career Counselor (Sel.) Fredrick Tuiel. “Through projects such as this we help the community, but we also let people know that the Navy is here in Houston."

“Leadership begins with us,” said Chief Navy Career Counselor (Sel.) Juval Velasquez.
“It is up to us to set an example for younger Sailors.”

BARC promotes and protects public health and animal care through animal law enforcement, sheltering, pet placement programs, and pet ownership education in the Houston area. The Navy personnel spent over four hours with the more than 580 animals at BARC. The future and current Chiefs walked dogs, prepped animal vaccinations, deep-cleaned the clinic and adoption buildings, and spent some quality time in the new BARC Cat Adoption Building. One Navy family adopted one of BARC's foster dogs into its home.

"Saturday was one of our proudest days at BARC. We appreciate the sacrifices the men and women in uniform give to our nation, and we’re humbled by the fact that they chose to give some of their precious free time to our animals. The Navy's presence really energized our whole staff, they really set the standard for positive and professional leadership, and our animals absolutely loved them," said David Atencio, BARC General Manager.

NRD Houston encompasses more than 66,000 square miles with 48 recruiting stations in southeast Texas area and southwest Louisiana; where more than 200 Sailors proudly represent the face of the Navy.

“The U.S. Navy is a multi-faceted organization whose responsibilities are far reaching and extend across the globe,” said NRD Houston Command Master Chief James D. Brown. “On any given day you might find Sailors conducting combat operations and the next day providing humanitarian relief. No matter where you go, you’ll always find U.S. Navy Sailors ready to roll up their sleeves to lend a hand. Today we did just that, and because we did, man’s best friends reaped the benefits.”

BARC is located at 3200 Carr, 77026. They encourage the residents to lend a hand to our voiceless friends in a time of need. For further information regarding how to volunteer or foster BARC animals, and for operating information, please visit our website at www.houstonbarc.com, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BARCHouston or call (713) 229-7300.

( 回首頁 Houston eWIND )

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