C.N.A. Instructor Volunteers Time to Rescue Homeless Pugs

NEW HAVEN, CT - Kathy Waldron began teaching the Certified Nurse Aide (C.N.A.) program for the American Red Cross over 25 years ago and joined the staff at Gateway Community College as a C.N.A. instructor in 2016. She has trained more than 900 C.N.A. students during her career.

When she is not teaching, Waldron turns her attention to her other passion: helping homeless canines with soft, wrinkly faces and large dark eyes, commonly referred to as “Velcro dogs.” Waldron serves as an advocate as vice president and social media manager for Pug Rescue of New England. She helps find homes for abandoned and surrendered pugs in the six New England states and travels all over the country for her work.

“My husband and I have had pugs since before we were married. We love the breed,” she said. “It’s hard and sometimes very heartbreaking work, but so very fulfilling.”

She travels to transport pugs in care of the rescue and spends anywhere from 20 hours during a slow week and up to 60 hours a week on volunteer rescue work. Last year, she went to Minneapolis to meet volunteers who rescued a pug they named Stitch, found wandering in Korea in an area of abandoned factories. Today, she noted, Stitch is doing well. The 10-year-old dog was adopted by a family with a son and two other pugs. When she sees successful outcomes like these, the rewards of her efforts are evident.

Waldron brings the same passion as a volunteer and leader at the Pug Rescue of New England to the classroom as an instructor. She has a deep understanding of the work she is preparing her students to perform, having started her career working as a C.N.A. after high school for ten years before entering the Licensed Practical Nursing program offered by the State of Connecticut. Her nursing experience is primarily in long term care, short term rehabilitation, and dementia care. She also has worked as a home health aide supervisor, in primary care medical office nursing, medical record extraction, group home, and substitute school nursing.

She began teaching part-time while working full-time. Waldron quickly found that her role as a teacher surpassed her expectations. Teaching C.N.A. allows her to impact students’ lives as well as the quality of care provided at the bedside for some of the most vulnerable patients.

“There really are so many rewards,” Waldron said.

Many people consider the medical field and C.N.A. training because they hear that there will always be jobs available, but to be successful, Waldron said there needs to be something at a person’s core that drives them to want to help others. Waldron noted that taking the C.N.A. training and working in the field is a small investment timewise to figure out if the healthcare field is a fit. Teaching the class, she has been able to see some students develop newfound confidence and a sense of accomplishment. As a bonus, she has felt privileged to see people who move to the United States, who already work as nurses in their countries, be willing to start over to realize their dreams in a new country.

“Being able to meet in a place where we can empathize with one another's struggles and beliefs and come to a place of mutual respect and understanding can be really powerful,” she said.

Erika Lynch, director of Workforce Development & Continuing Education, said that Waldron’s commitment and care for others is evident in and out of the classroom.

“Kathy is a compassionate and dedicated caregiver who inspires others through her passion for teaching, nursing, and helping those in need. Her empathy and commitment make a lasting difference in the lives of her students, patients, and the animals she rescues,” Lynch said.

Compassion is the link that connects her work with students and in the pug rescue. She acknowledged that taking in an animal who may need to be healed physically and emotionally can take a lot of energy and emotional fortitude.

“In rescue you are dealing with animals, but you are also dealing with people who may be in a very difficult place having to surrender a beloved pet. One of my many roles in rescue involves supporting the foster families who care for our dogs. In many cases they need educating in caring for a dog much in the same way my students need that kind of education to care for people,” she said.

“What fills me with hope is that there are so many people willing to step up and advocate,” Waldron said.“One thing I say to my students in class is that each of them possesses a different strength or skill that will serve to make them a special caregiver. Much like no two patients are alike, no two caregivers are exactly the same” she said.