Volunteers of the Month – The Kuusela Family
The individualized care we provide to animals is possible only because of a small army of volunteers. This month’s Volunteers of the Month are Dean Kuusela and daughters Emma and Mei. As a thank you, we were able to gift them tickets to the Abbotsford Air Show that were donated to us – which is ideal because Mei aims to become a pilot!
Meet the family …
What is your role at RAPS?
We help clean up the front courtyard, yellow shed, Old Rabbit House, and gazebo. Also give lots of pets and attention to the resident feline bosses that supervise our work.
How long have you been volunteering and/or working with RAPS?
It has been 5 years now. We started during the pandemic and volunteering at RAPS was such a positive moment during those times and after.
What makes you committed to RAPS?
RAPS’ mission is clear and focused, letting the cats live their best lives. The fortunate ones adopted out are missed, but bring joy knowing they are brightening a family’s life.
What is your favourite / least favourite part of your job?
Getting to know the cats and their personalities really is the best. Close to that is meeting and chatting with the volunteers every week. Least favourite? That’s hard, it’s probably resisting the urge to pet a cat named Cuddles as that can go bad very fast! That name, so deceptive!
Tell us about yourself
I volunteer with my daughters Emma and Mei who back me up on our RAPS shift when they aren’t working. I was born in Edmonton, Alberta, but spent the last 40 years in the Lower Mainland. The girls were born at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. Working at UBC has let me meet many of the doctors there and I share with my colleagues the utmost respect for that amazing institution. Emma is a UBC student and dances with Ballet BC. Mei is entering her last year of high school while dancing at Arts Umbrella on Granville Island and dreams of being a pilot. Receiving the Abbotsford International Air Show ticket was such a great way for Mei to see and hear the planes in action.
What do you do in your spare time?
To be honest spare time has been fleeting over the last few decades. Now that the kids are becoming quite independent, reestablishing my love for books has been like a warm hug. Also can’t forget great food, both made at home and at the array of restaurants and different cuisines we are fortunate to have here.
Do you have pets? Tell us about them!
We have one very loving and very naughty Aussie-doodle dog named Kona. I love coffee and she’s definitely caffeinated in her outlook on life. Kona was born on Christmas Eve and is now a year and a half old, bringing such joy to our lives.
Dean, Emma and Mei: Thanks for everything you do!
