Lucca Gardner, pictured with her dogs Kennedy (left photo) and Babs (right photo), was one of nearly 300 kids who attended summer camp at Pasadena Humane. A lifelong animal lover, she is interested in becoming a veterinarian. After losing her home in the Eaton fire, caring for her pets and learning more about animals at camp have helped her through a very difficult time. (Photos courtesy of Karine Ceyhan)

At Pasadena Humane, we believe that teaching kids about animals and responsible pet care helps build a more compassionate community for all. That’s why we offer year-round humane education programs for kids.

Over the summer months, we welcomed nearly 300 young animal lovers ages 7 through 14 through our doors for a week-long animal-themed camp. Through engaging lessons and interactive activities, kids learned about animal care, the world of veterinary medicine and wildlife rehabilitation.

This year, we knew that many families in our community had been impacted by the Eaton fire and other hardships. To ensure that all kids could access our programs, we awarded scholarships to children affected by these challenges.

Our goal was to help them connect with peers, learn about animals, and find moments of joy during such a difficult time. While our scholarships were limited, we worked hard to reach as many families as possible.

Lucca Gardner was one of the children awarded a scholarship to attend our Jr. Vets Summer Camp. At just 10 years old, she experienced the devastating loss of her home during the Eaton fire.

In the face of tragedy, Lucca’s love for animals has been a source of stability and comfort. Her family’s two dogs, Babs, a playful one-year-old miniature Aussie, and Kennedy, a gentle 14-year-old terrier mix, helped her and her family heal from their loss.

“They feel so much,” Lucca’s mom, Karine, shared. “When we cry, they come to comfort us, and literally lick off our tears.”

The dogs also give Lucca a sense of responsibility. She takes great pride in caring for Babs and Kennedy. She helps feed, walk and groom the two pups. She even brushes Babs’ teeth.

This instinct to care for animals is what led Lucca to dream of becoming a veterinarian. At our Jr. Vets Summer Camp, Lucca learned about pet health and how veterinarians diagnose and treat animals.

“I’m interested in vets because they help all different types of animals, and I think it’s really cool,” Lucca told us. “I’d love to be an animal vet for turtles, snakes, guinea pigs, hamsters, and birds.”

During the camp, Lucca enjoyed meeting the different types of animals at the shelter, handing out treats, and learning about how to care for each species. She also really liked making healthy treats for the dogs.

Her mom, Karine, was thrilled that Lucca could participate in a summer camp that aligned so closely with her passion. Each day, Lucca came home excitedly sharing the details and stories from her day.

From day one, Lucca’s curiosity really stood out to Pasadena Humane’s Humane Education Coordinator, Tiffany O’Burke. The camper always asked thoughtful questions, wanting to learn as much about the animals as she could.

“Watching Lucca laugh, learn, and bond with the animals and her peers showed us the healing power of our programs,” Tiffany reflected. “For us, seeing Lucca thrive at camp is a powerful reminder of why our work matters. Humane Education isn’t just about teaching animal knowledge; it’s about resilience, empathy, and community.”

Now that summer is over and school is back in session, Lucca is thinking about becoming a junior volunteer at the shelter. We are proud to offer volunteer opportunities for kids 6 to 14, accompanied by a parent or guardian.

To learn more about all the ways kids can get involved with helping animals at Pasadena Humane, visit pasadenahumane.org/kids

Chris Ramon is president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.

This blog post originally appeared as a column in the Pasadena Star-News on September 5, 2025.