Kids, do you have a question about HSSM or pets? Ask BJ!

Meet our expert, BJ the HSSM Humane Education Spokesdog…

BJ is a 2 year-old Golden Retriever who came to HSSM looking for a home in April of 2006. BJ soon found a wonderful home with a new best friend, Vernon, and together they have just graduated from therapy dog training. Now BJ wants to tell everyone in South Mississippi about how they can help other pets who need homes by adopting from HSSM. BJ also knows all of the smart people who work with animals at HSSM, and if you have questions about pets**, he’d love to answer them!

If you have a question for BJ, you can contact him by email at AskBJ@hssm.org

or by mailing him a letter to

Ask BJ
c/o HSSM
2615 25th Avenue
Gulfport, MS 39501

Teachers, if you would like to schedule a classroom visit from BJ, contact our Humane Educator Christine Harris at humane@hssm.org

BJ will answer your question as quickly as his paws can type, and you might see your question right here on his webpage!

**BJ is a smart guy, but he’s no veterinarian! If your pet is acting sick, please ask your parents to take him straight to the vet!

Question:

Dear BJ,

I want to be a veterinarian. Can I volunteer to help the veterinarians at the Humane Society?

From Laura in Gulfport

BJ says:

Dear Laura,

Thanks for your question! I am so excited to hear that you would like to be a veterinarian. I go see the veterinarian every year for a check up and my vaccinations, and she helps me stay healthy! We do have veterinarians at the Humane Society, but their job is very special–they work with animals who are sick or who are having operations. That means our vets have to be very, very careful about germs so that neither the vets nor their patients get sick. Because germs can be dangerous, only grown-ups who work at the Humane Society are able to help the vets do their job. But, there are lots of other ways that you can learn about what the vets are doing and help the animals at HSSM. We have after-school and summer camp programs where kids can meet our vets and see the clinic and even meet some of our animals and make toys for them. Believe it or not, giving animals toys to play with can help keep them from getting sick! You can read all about them on our camps & after-school page here on the website.

Doggie Kisses,

BJ