Hi. My name is Pauline Ro. I am a rising senior and currently a Studio Art major with an Art History minor at Meredith College in Raleigh, NC. 

I've never taken a online course during my first 3 years here at Meredith, but I am finally taking my first one ever, Photographing for the Web. This course involves volunteering as an animal photographer at the Wake County Animal Shelter in hopes of finding these animals a loving home. As I take this online course and learn how to be a volunteer photographer, I will be posting my photographs on this blog to shine light on the various animals that are at the center. I don't know what to expect for an online class...I'm kind of nervous because I ask A LOT of questions. However, I am looking forward to a more flexible schedule than that of a regular class, or at least that's what I'm expecting, but looking at the syllabus for this class I know that I will have enough work to keep me fairly busy. 

I signed up for this course soon after I heard about it. Photographing animals and getting school credit for it?! Who wouldn't take up an offer like this? Not me. However, raising awareness and being a part of a role that finds these animals a home is the real reason why I signed up for this class. I still have a lot to learn about county animals shelters, their systems, the workers/volunteers, and the animals themselves. I only really started "learning" about animal shelters a little over a year ago (I know...it sounds terrible), but I'm hoping this course will educate me of those things. I think, actually I know, a lot of people have many misunderstandings of county animal shelters. I was one of them (still am...a tad bit). Long story short, I'm expecting this class to enable me to raise awareness of the county animal shelters in a positive light, get the animals adopted, and learn what goes on behind the scenes to see for myself what's really going on.

I am a bit nervous, however, about what I will see or learn as a volunteer, as a person who has to discuss and hear about the things that goes on behind closed doors. I don't know if I can emotionally handle it. Also, handling aggressive animals is something I'm nervous about (not too nervous though). ALSO...I'm the worst when it comes to holding a cat. I like cats, but I've always been a dog person. The idea that they might feel uncomfortable and can turn around and scratch my face off freaks me out a little, so I've always just liked petting cats. Hopefully, I'll overcome that fear. 

Overall, I can't wait to be a part of something like this. Sure I'm just going to be a volunteer photographer, but knowing that I contributed to saving an animal's life will be a reward in itself. That's what I'm excited about.

ps. Random, I know, but I love showing her off. This is my miniature dachshund Coco. I love taking pictures of her when she's calm because she's actually a ball of jumping energy/chaos in real life. I've always loved animals, ESPECIALLY DOGS, and that's probably another reason why I was interested in this course.

Until next time,
P.Ro