How Summer Jobs at the HBSPCA Are Shaping Future Careers
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When 18-year-old Kayla first walked through the doors of the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA), she expected a summer job. What she didnât expect was a clear path toward her future.
âI thought Iâd just get some general experience,â she says. âBut I ended up discovering exactly what I want to do.â
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Kayla, a high school student from Hamilton, had been planning a gap year to save money before attending Sheridan College for a tech course. But after spending the summer working hands-on in the HBSPCAâs animal hospitalâassisting with pre-op and post-op care, learning about sterilization, and watching recovery happen in real-timeâher plans shifted.
âI want to become a Registered Veterinary Technician,â she says now. âThe HBSPCA gave me a clear idea of what that job looks like, and I loved every part of it.â
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Kaylaâs story is one of many that have emerged from the HBSPCAâs partnership with Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)âa federal program that funds meaningful, full-time employment for youth aged 15 to 30.
The program, run by Employment and Social Development Canada, focuses on equipping young people with skills for the future, particularly those facing systemic barriers to employment.
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Each summer, more than 70,000 youth across Canada gain valuable work experience through CSJ-funded roles.
For Kayla, and others like her, the experience has been nothing short of transformational.
More Than Just a Summer Job
Michael, a 20-year-old Life Sciences student at McMaster University, came into his CSJ placement with big dreams of becoming a veterinarian.
What he didnât expect was how much heâd learn about collaborationâand the realities of life inside a high-volume animal care facility.
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âWhat stood out most was how complex the treatment process is,â he says. âEverything is interconnected. The team works like a machineâeach personâs skills coming together to care for the animals.â
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Originally from Toronto, Michael had assumed most veterinarians worked in traditional private practices.
But at the HBSPCA, he saw a different side of veterinary workâone that involved shelter medicine, public service, and high-volume spay/neuter clinics.
âI didnât know that so many vets split their time between general practice and shelters,â he says. âThat variety really appeals to meâit keeps the work fresh.â
By the end of his placement, Michael wasnât just more confident in his abilitiesâhe was more certain than ever about pursuing veterinary school.
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A Shelter, a Safe Spaceâand a Turning Point
For Kiley, the summer at HBSPCA arrived during a moment of uncertainty.
âPost-grad life can be confusing,â she reflects. âIâd always been passionate about animal care, but I didnât know how to turn that into a career.â
Kiley didnât come to the shelter with veterinary trainingâbut she brought something else just as valuable: compassion, patience, and a willingness to learn. And as she began to care for animalsâfeeding them, cleaning kennels, offering gentle comfort to the nervous or newly surrenderedâsomething clicked.
âWhat surprised me most was how meaningful every small task was. Helping an animal feel safe, earning their trustâit matters. You see them slowly come out of their shell, and it reminds you why this work matters so much.â
Kiley now sees animal welfare as more than a job. Itâs a calling. The confidence, adaptability, and communication skills sheâs developed over the summer are ones she plans to carry into whatever comes next.
âWorking at the HBSPCA has shown me that this kind of workâquiet, compassionate, consistentâcan be life-changing. For them and for me.â
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A Unique Experience That Builds Futures
For the HBSPCA, hosting youth through the Canada Summer Jobs program isnât just about extra help during the busy monthsâitâs about investing in the future of animal welfare.
âThis program creates a unique opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in animal care, but also to discover their own strengths and passions,â says John Gerrard, CEO of the HBSPCA. âWeâre dedicated to fostering the growth of future animal lovers, advocates, and professionals. These placements donât just benefit the youthâwe all benefit from their energy, ideas, and commitment. Itâs a powerful way to build a stronger, more compassionate community.â
Each year, the HBSPCA sees firsthand the impact these placements makeânot just on the students, but on the staff, the animals, and the broader mission of the organization.
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Looking Ahead
For Kayla, Michael, and Kiley, this summer has been more than just a few weeks of work. Itâs been a glimpse of whatâs possible.
Theyâve helped animals heal, learned the value of teamwork, and discovered strengths they didnât know they had. And as they head toward new chaptersâcollege, university, or new jobsâtheyâll take the lessons of the shelter with them.
In the process, theyâve reminded everyone at the HBSPCA why investing in youth isnât just good for themâitâs good for animals, communities, and the future weâre all building together.
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