Kiss for Independence

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Written by Michaela Welch

Kiss for Independence was a fundraising effort to help me (Michaela Welch) fulfill my dream to attend college, live one day independently, and becoming employed where I can work dog care in the Lake Tahoe region. 

I came up with the idea of having a dog kissing booth while looking on Pinterest. We created Kiss For Independence because I wanted to raise money to help me pay for the Path to Independence Program at University of Nevada Reno. I applied for this program because it fit my needs and will help me reach my goal. I was accepted into the program and started in Fall 2016. The program is designed to help students just like me. There were only 10 students in the program, so it was individually designed to meet my specific needs.

My goal was to attend the Path to Independence program at the University of Nevada Reno. This is a two year program that will help me reach my goals of one day working as a veterinary assistant and living on my own.

Thank you for making donations, making purchases through Tahoe Dog Gear, and helping me make my dreams come true. I couldn’t have done this without your amazing help. 

NOTE: Michaela graduated from the University of Nevada Path to Independence Program being awarded with the University of Nevada Certificate in College and Career Studies on May 16, 2018.

Currently works at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.

I am Michaela Welch, a 27 year old Truckee High School graduate that had a dream to attend a college program just like many other students. I graduated from the University of Nevada Path to Independence program with a Certificate in College and Career Studies in May 2018. 

I have some disabilities. I am hearing impaired and wear hearing aids in both ears. I have cerebral palsy which makes some fine motor skill activities more challenging for me than the average person. I have an intellectual disability, but that doesn't keep me from wanting to do my very best. 

I am a hard worker that never gives up, after all, I have trained and completed the 26.2 mile St. George Marathon and was awarded the Clark Morris Special Achievement Award out of 7,800 runners :) I love animals and would love to work in that field for a career.

Interests

I currently work at the Truckee Humane Society Prior, I helped Dr. Wendy Robinson at Tahoe Integrative Veterinary Care in Truckee with dog care.

 My dream is to work with animals in a location where animals stay when their families are away. I enjoy running, snowshoeing and skiing with my dog Cruz and spending time with my family outdoors. 

I have volunteered as a Veterinary Assistant a few weeks at my Uncle Tom's Newport Mesa Animal Hospital. I helped "Dr. Tom" give shots, with surgeries, dentistry pulling teeth, bandaging paws, and helped with baths. 

I have worked at Canine Country and Truckee Tahoe Pet Lodge with dogs and cats. I also make Kong's with treats in them for the guests. I play with the dogs in the play yard and play with cats in the cat room.  I do laundry and put towels, dishes and rags in the correct rooms. I clean dirty nose prints off the windows and vacuum hair in the groomer's room and lobby. During holidays, I help decorate for our celebrations.

Tahoe Dog Gear is a business that my dad started for me. We sell our collars and leashes at many festivals in the Tahoe/Truckee area. You can find us making dogs happy at the Made in Tahoe Festival at Squaw Valley, Truckee Thursdays in historic downtown Truckee all summer long, and other festivals.

Michaela graduated from the University of Nevada Path to Independence program with a Certificate in College and Career Studies in May 2018. It is an inclusive, two-year, non-degree certificate program offering a college experience to students with intellectual disabilities. The program is a collaborative effort of UNR's Nevada Center for Excellence in Disabilities (NCED) and the University of Nevada Reno Extended Studies Department. 

Michaela is now back in Truckee full time pursuing her dreams of working in dog care and dog walking. To help prepare for a career with animals, Michaela has received certificates of completion from Sierra College in Veterinary Assistant, Veterinary Assistant II: Canine Reproduction, and Veterinary Assistant III: Practical Skills, CPR for dogs, and Wilderness First Aid for Dogs! She volunteers at the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe, and has worked at Tahoe Integrative Veterinary Care, and Truckee-Tahoe Pet Lodge.

Michaela has successfully completed three Veterinary Assistant classes through Online classes offered by Sierra College Extension Program. She learned a lot about animals in these classes.

UNR Path to Independence

Michaela was awarded UNR's Certificate in College & Career Studies in the Path to Independence Program in May 2018.

Michaela would like to recommend this program to other students with special needs:

Classes Michaela has completed (audit or Pass/Fail credit):

• Veterinary Medicine 101
• Communications 101
• Modern dance class 138
• Business 101
• Psychology 101 
• HDFS 202 introduction to Families
• Swimming
• Planned Parenthood's Relationships and Sexuality (my independent living class)
• English 98
• HDFS 204 Parenting and Guidance
• Steps to Self Determination, Money Matters, and other independent living classes

Michaela's Experience: 

I went to really fun events at school like volleyball games, basketball games, football games, baseball games, movie nights, and late night the Joe Crowley student union. I lived in a house across the street from campus. I loved going to events on campus and having a lot of fun with friends. I made new friends at UNR and they went to social events with me. I enjoyed going to these events because they are fun with friends. I made a lot of memories and have fun with my friends in backstage. The plays that I did in backstage was the Flick and I had a lot of fun working on that play. I also enjoy going out to eat with my friends on campus and have drinks. 

I really enjoyed these memories because I had a lot of fun at social events and being with friends. I took some fun classes this semester. I enjoyed being a college student. I enjoy these events at school because I get to have fun and teach the first year students to have fun and take them to football games, basketball games, baseball games, volleyball games, and movie night at the Joe. 

I feel ready and happy to live independently. I look forward to working with animals. I want a career as veterinary assistant at a pet clinic or finding some other job with animals. I’m going to look at different vet hospitals and clinics. I’m going to apply for jobs this summer.