Something to wag about: Fifth-grader collects truckload of supplies for NSPCA

When it came to choosing how to fulfill her school’s Pay It Forward project, fifth-grader Juliana Puppel knew just what she wanted to do: Make life better for shelter dogs.

The 10-year-old Summerlin resident enlisted help from her fellow students at Goolsby Elementary School, 11175 W. Desert Inn Road, to collect food, blankets and toys for animals at the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals no-­kill shelter, 4800 W. Dewey Drive.

Juliana made signs to promote the cause and asked her classmates and their teacher, Angie Weigel, to help generate interest among Goolsby’s 800 students.

She readily admits to having an ulterior motive: If she could prove herself responsible, her parents would get her a puppy.

She said she’s been wanting a dog for the past two years.

“I really like dogs, and I want a puppy because it’s kind of sad that we don’t have other dogs right now,” she said.

This was not her first foray into charity work. Her mother, Pam, said Juliana has been involved in other efforts, such as a high tea for at-risk students and donating clothes to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Nevada.

“She got everyone involved, like parents of her girlfriends who put up fliers at work, and they brought in a lot of donations,” Pam said. “(The response) was really overwhelming.”

Juliana collected items the week of Dec. 15. There were so many, they had to be delivered in a truck, and not just any truck — a 14-foot-long, 1964 Land Rover once used for fire emergencies in Sweden. It’s now used as a backdrop for 10K races and Land Rover Las Vegas’ Models for Mutts fashion show.

“We wanted to be involved from the moment we heard about this effort,” said Rick Nelson, who is in charge of special events for Land Rover Las Vegas. “We’re all animal lovers here, and we’re already involved with the NSPCA, so it was a no-brainer.”

For Juliana, seeing the entire vehicle filled was a welcome surprise.

“I didn’t think we’d get that much because some people didn’t (donate) a lot,” she said.

NSPCA officials accepted the donations Dec. 23, with the items filling much of the shelter’s lobby.

Doug Duke, executive director of the NSPCA, said he is constantly amazed by how many young people are engaged in animal rescue.

“It inspires us every week,” he said. “We have school groups that do fund drives, teachers who will incorporate humane education into their curriculum, and we have individuals who … instead of gifts for their birthday, they ask their friends to make a donation to save an animal’s life.”

Now that Juliana has proved herself worthy of a pet, she said she is looking for a small rescue dog, such as a Shih Tzu.

“I’m still looking for one; they’re all so cute,” she said. “I’m going to have to get a non-shedding one because Mom doesn’t like cleaning up that much.”

She said it would have to be a lovable puppy and one that would play with her. Juliana said she would step up to the plate and be responsible for its daily walks and feeding it.

And what about picking up the dog poop?

“That’s Daddy’s responsibility,” Juliana said.

For more information on the NSPCA, visit nevadaspca.org.

Contact Summerlin Area View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 702-387-2949.