Disguised Animal Savior

By Alexa A.

Jeniffer Reissig is a teacher for juniors and seniors at Yerba Buena High School.

She teaches 2 courses; U.S history and AP U.S history.  It is one of her passions that she loves to do. She loves teaching her students and being around them and loves being the person that tries to help them walk across that stage.

But what does Ms.Reissig love to do most? Caring for animals.

In late fall of 2017 she had announced to her classes that she was thinking of starting an animal club. Animal Pack. She had thought about this idea because of her family dog that had gone missing one summer.

Reissig: “In the process of searching for my dog who I never found, I met all these amazing people who volunteered their time to go for searches…so I made some amazing connections with a bunch of people who are in the animal rescue world and it just kind of came to me one day like I should start a club.”

She was truly inspired by these people she had met that she knew this is what she wanted to do. At first her club wasn't getting many people since it wasn't as popular back then but as time flew by, more people from the school started hearing about it and joining the club. 

Ms.Reissig and her students participate in events for animals such as this annual halloween event. 

Every year they go out to a nice area and have dogs dress up in costumes and trick-or-treat for treats. It is one of the most adorable things they do since you see all these dogs in silly costumes and it's one of Ms.Reissig’s favorite events to do because of how much she adores dogs.

Reissig: “It's just so much fun seeing dogs in costumes.” she says.

Although it is her favorite memory and event that is not the thing she loves the most about this club. What she loves most is seeing her students develop their compassion for animals and how much they grow into the involvement of the activities.

She loves having students participate in activities and having them all come together. Before the pandemic hit they would go out and do all these fun activities but ever since the pandemic passed, they were unable to continue with the activities but Ms.Reissig tries her best to make the club as fun as possible so everyone can enjoy their time caring for animals.

Animal Pack has truly inspired Ms.Reissig to do more for animals. She volunteers, She takes action and stands up for what she believes animals deserve, and it makes her feel connected to a community that cares for animals well being.

When mentioned taking action, she does what she thinks will impact a part of society. She previously had gone down to City Hall along with a few of her students and spoke about investigating animal shelters.

She and her students try to make a big change and she couldn't have done any of this without them. 

She knows that having officers running her club is a huge help but it is hard for Ms.Reissig to let go of doing the things she wants. She wants everyone to have fun but she can't stop herself from helping out because this is just a huge part of her that she can't stay away from.

Reissig: “I think it's hard for me to let go because it's so important to me, for us to be involved in these events and be able to continue to have those relationships but my officers are essential.”

This club is seen by people outside of the Yerba Buena community and she wants to keep on being heard and seen by others because it's a huge accomplishment.

She continues to have an outstanding team with her and she will continue to do so and she hopes she can get more opportunities with this club and also hopes to have this become a big thing that will be heard in the San Jose community.