06/25/2026
On June 12, 2026, Animal Rescue of Tracy Volunteers, Community Representatives, friends & family gathered to recognize the commitment of 10 high school students who completed ART’s 9 month Compassion To Action Internship Program. This youth mentorship program requires high school students to volunteer every weekend caring for adoptable cats & dogs looking for homes while at weekend adoption fairs inside the West Valley Mall or as Cat Cuddlers at the Petsmart Adoption Center throughout an entire school year.
In the first picture are, left to right:
* Dominique King, Representing Congressman Josh Harder
* Intern Harsini Suresh
* Intern Prajna Rajbhandari
* Maria Valenzuela, Representing Supervisor Robert Rickman
* Intern Evelyn Hsu
* Intern Shree Ganiger (who was recognized as the longest participant in the Compassion to Action Internship Program —5years, as long as the Program has been in existence)
* Guest Speaker Terry Donaldson who shared her insights about how volunteering as a Compassion to Action Intern can continue affecting lives in a positive way.
* City of Tracy Mayor Pro Tem, Steve Abercrombie
Interns unable to attend, but who completed the CTA School Year 25-26 Internship:
* Intern Zhouhong D**g
* Intern Andrea Alvarez
* Intern Sumasri Padavala
* Intern Lucinda Ng
* Intern Kaitlyn Qutob
* Intern Sophia Qutob
Also present were Delores Alvarez, representing Taylor Farms & GFWC Tracy Woman’s Club President Tiffany Evans & First Vice President Carla Thatcher. Both these amazing organizations/businesses have sponsored the Compassion to Action Internship Program over the 5 years it has existed.
THANK YOU to these amazing young people and to their families who supported them through this “journey”!