LAS VEGAS - Every day, Ms. Carmela Paul comes into work at the South Shore Animal Hospital and begins her duties - doing laundry, cleaning instruments and cages, filling syringes. The list goes on.
Perhaps her favorite part is sitting with the animals. The 87-year-old takes all of her job responsibilities seriously. One would hardly believe Ms. Paul is a volunteer.
"This morning, she was talking to clients. She'll help hold dogs. She'll help carry out the food, but it's more than that. She takes care of the back end, so the treatment areas," said Dr. Nina Suzuki, a veterinarian at the hospital. "It doesn't end at work. She takes this stuff home. She takes blankets with holes and fixes them and sews them at home. She sews our clothes."
Ms. Paul has no living family. Several years ago, her black Labrador Yum Yum passed away. She tattooed a picture of her best friend on her foot as a tribute. A year ago, she began volunteering at South Shore Animal Hospital.
"All my life, I had animals. Growing up, I had goats, chickens, ducks," she said. "One day, I brought a client here to see Dr. Suzuki, and we were talking about finding work. So, she left the room and apparently spoke to Dr. (Mark) Klaus and agreed that I could come to work here, and I'm elated!"
Staff members say Ms. Paul has become invaluable around the clinic and not only for her tremendous efforts.
"Big heart, big heart and a love of animals - that's definitely what brought her here," said South Shore head technician Veronica Cardnas. "Just overall, she's like a mother to everybody."
As a senior citizen, finding a paid job was tough. So, she depends on Social Security to get by. Even with that, she still gives.
"I didn't even know she did this last week. She went and bought a label maker for the practice so that we could properly label, etc. She will even spend her own money and buy things for the hospital," Suzuki said.
8 News NOW felt Ms. Paul deserved recognition for all she does for the community – giving her $800 as part of its new weekly series called Acts of Kindness.
If you want to nominate someone you think has done an act or acts of kindness, email us.
