Pet hall wins Humane Society award

Mary Anne Rogers November 10, 2011

Stetson University’s Housing and Residential Life Department has been honored by the Halifax Humane Society inDaytona Beach for its creation of the university’s pet-friendly student residence hall and its contribution to animals.

Stetson received the 2011 Wingate Award by the Halifax Humane Society, the area’s largest animal shelter. The award, named for the founders of the humane society, is given to individuals or groups that have furthered the HHS mission of protecting animals from cruel and neglectful treatment and encouraging responsible pet ownership.

Halifax Humane Society Development Director Bryan Williams, center, presents award to Arthur DeFilippo and Megan Young.

The Halifax Humane Society hosted the inaugural presentation at the 2011 Donor Recognition Breakfast to present Stetson with the award. Residential Life Coordinators Megan Young and Arthur DeFilippo accepted the award on behalf of the department. Both Young and DeFilippo have been very involved with the creation, implementation and supervision of the Pet Friendly Living Learning Community, which is located in Stetson’s Nemec Hall.

“The Halifax Humane Society is grateful for community partners such as Stetson University,” said Bryan Williams, development director for the humane society. “Their pet-friendly housing recognizes the numerous benefits of pet ownership and will help create the next generation of pet lovers in our community.”

Stetson’s pet-friendly residence hall opened in August 2010 and, this fall, was expanded due to its popularity. It now has 50 single rooms occupied by student pet owners and their pets.

“We had a waiting list in the first year, so we expanded the second year,” Young said.

Pet hall resident Kaylee Rose Rotunno walks Lucy by the Holler Fountain.

Nemec is co-ed, open to all Stetson students starting with freshman year. Pets including fish, rabbits, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rats, mice, cats and dogs are allowed in the pet hall. This fall, the weight limit for dogs allowed in the hall was raised to 50 pounds.

Nemec has not only allowed students to enjoy their college experience with the comfort of their pets, but to become more responsible.“It has allowed me to become more responsible and also to stay more focused on what is important,” said Lauren Futral, a junior elementary education major and resident assistant for Nemec Hall.