DONNA — When a lost, black puppy sneaked inside a University of Texas-Pan American building in October, it caught the eyes of many students.

One of those students was John-Robert Iruegas.

The UTPA student said the pup looked lost and hungry. While he couldn't give the dog a home, Iruegas still had the compassion to take the animal to a veterinarian for a checkup.

It was there that Iruegas learned about Recycled Rovers & Friends center, an animal shelter for dogs in Donna.

Not only did the puppy, later named "Pan-Am," find a safe place to stay until it finds a home, but Iruegas discovered a way to give back to his community.

Iruegas, along with his sister, Rachel, have spent every Saturday as volunteers at the shelter. Iruegas is also a member of the Alternative Breaks Program at UTPA, a program in which students can volunteer their time to various community-based projects.

 
The club has participated in a number of community service events in the past three years, including a trip to New Orleans to help with recovery efforts after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

In search of a new project, it was easy for Iruegas to propose Recycled Rovers & Friends as place to volunteer.

During Spring Break, Iruegas and four other students spent eight hours each day volunteering their time at the animal shelter, helping with an array of chores such as cleaning the facility, remodeling office space, bathing and walking dogs, and tending to landscaping.

In his days at the shelter, Iruegas said he worked with as many as 45 dogs.

"I knew what I wanted to do and I knew how I wanted to help them," Iruegas said.

 
Director and board member of the Recycled Rovers & Friends center Connie Walter said the facility houses as many as 150 dogs, many of which are sick, injured and hungry when they arrive at the shelter.

Walter said the non-profit program provides the dogs with food, shelter and basic medical care to get the animals ready for adoption.

Walter the students were the first community group to volunteer at the shelter since the shelter opened three years ago.

"They made themselves available to us in whatever we needed," Walter said. "It was indescribable."

Walter said even the dogs noticed the students' volunteer efforts, as many of the animals have gone from being shy and withdrawn to playful.

Spending eight hours a day playing, walking and bathing the dogs was something Iruegas felt was all worth while.

"Your heart goes out to the animals," he said. "I can't say enough about it, they need it." 

Annel Zamarron, Coordinator of Student Life & Transition Services at UTPA, said the Alternative Breaks Program provides students an opportunity to make an impact in their communities.

"We try to not only get involved, but also try to get an education," Zamarron said. "It's not a meaningless service."