JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas –
Some members of the 502nd Operations Support Squadron stepped away from handling the air traffic control tower and flight line at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland’s Kelly Field for a few hours to care for dogs June 21.
As part of a monthly community involvement initiative, 502nd OSS members volunteered at the San Antonio Pets Alive animal shelter, located across from the San Antonio Zoo. They were assigned the task of walking dogs around the 343-acre Brackenridge Park.
“Pets make me happier,” said Staff Sgt. Steven Torres, 502nd OSS air traffic controller and a dog owner himself. “There is no better way to start your day than by being around them. Once you get into helping out in the community, it makes you want to do it more. I want to tell my co-workers about this place, so they can come out here and volunteer themselves.”
Senior Airman Pedro Echeverria, 502nd OSS airfield operations shift lead and also a dog owner, shared his fellow Airman’s sentiments.
“I love being around animals,” he explained. “Seeing how excited the dogs got when they were let out of their kennel made me excited.”
Since 2014, 502nd OSS members have volunteered at organizations throughout San Antonio to be more active in their community, said Torres, 502nd OSS community outreach organizer.
Volunteering gives him “peace of mind.”
“I know that the community will help me out if I ever needed it,” said Torres as he walked a terrier dog throughout the park. “I only feel its right to do the same for the community.”
While they walked the dogs, Senior Airman Lucas Dugan, 502nd OSS airfield systems technician, petted and kept a dog named “Coconut” company.
Being around the dogs boosted his spirits, he said.
“I know I am making a difference for these pets like the people who are going to adopt them will makes their lives better and more satisfying,” Dugan explained.