Blog | How Summer Jobs at the HBSPCA Are Shaping Future Careers

Kevin, Executive Assistant to the Chief Happiness Officer (Dog)

When 18-year-old Kayla first walked through the doors of the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA (HBSPCA), she expected a summer job. What she didn’t expect was a clear path toward her future.

“I thought I’d just get some general experience,” she says. “But I ended up discovering exactly what I want to do.”

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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 HBSPCA’s animal hospital—assisting with pre-op and post-op care, learning about sterilization, and watching recovery happen in real-time—her plans shifted.

“I want to become a Registered Veterinary Technician,” she says now. “The HBSPCA gave me a clear idea of what that job looks like, and I loved every part of it.”

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Kayla’s story is one of many that have emerged from the HBSPCA’s partnership with Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)—a 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 didn’t expect was how much he’d learn about collaboration—and the realities of life inside a high-volume animal care facility.

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“What stood out most was how complex the treatment process is,” he says. “Everything is interconnected. The team works like a machine—each person’s skills coming together to care for the animals.”

Originally from Toronto, Michael had assumed most veterinarians worked in traditional private practices.

But at the HBSPCA, he saw a different side of veterinary work—one that involved shelter medicine, public service, and high-volume spay/neuter clinics.

“I didn’t know that so many vets split their time between general practice and shelters,” he says. “That variety really appeals to me—it keeps the work fresh.”

By the end of his placement, Michael wasn’t just more confident in his abilities—he was more certain than ever about pursuing veterinary school.

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A Shelter, a Safe Space—and a Turning Point

For Kiley, the summer at HBSPCA arrived during a moment of uncertainty.

“Post-grad life can be confusing,” she reflects. “I’d always been passionate about animal care, but I didn’t know how to turn that into a career.”

Kiley didn’t come to the shelter with veterinary training—but she brought something else just as valuable: compassion, patience, and a willingness to learn. And as she began to care for animals—feeding them, cleaning kennels, offering gentle comfort to the nervous or newly surrendered—something clicked.

“What surprised me most was how meaningful every small task was. Helping an animal feel safe, earning their trust—it matters. You see them slowly come out of their shell, and it reminds you why this work matters so much.”

Kiley now sees animal welfare as more than a job. It’s a calling. The confidence, adaptability, and communication skills she’s developed over the summer are ones she plans to carry into whatever comes next.

“Working at the HBSPCA has shown me that this kind of work—quiet, compassionate, consistent—can be life-changing. For them and for me.”

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A Unique Experience That Builds Futures

For the HBSPCA, hosting youth through the Canada Summer Jobs program isn’t just about extra help during the busy months—it’s about investing in the future of animal welfare.

“This program creates a unique opportunity for students to gain real-world experience in animal care, but also to discover their own strengths and passions,” says John Gerrard, CEO of the HBSPCA. “We’re dedicated to fostering the growth of future animal lovers, advocates, and professionals. These placements don’t just benefit the youth—we all benefit from their energy, ideas, and commitment. It’s a powerful way to build a stronger, more compassionate community.”

Each year, the HBSPCA sees firsthand the impact these placements make—not 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. It’s been a glimpse of what’s possible.

They’ve helped animals heal, learned the value of teamwork, and discovered strengths they didn’t know they had. And as they head toward new chapters—college, university, or new jobs—they’ll take the lessons of the shelter with them.