Melissa Fitzgerald, is a young lady, with a huge "heart" for the animals, from Miss Kayla, who is shy, to Max, who is very outgoing, to Elle, who just needs some TLC, and Melissa, gives all of that to all of the animals.  Melissa, is ready to take on new tasks, at The Gress Mountain Ranch, from doing "ground maintenance, to feeding and watering the turkey and duck group, to making sure Elle, the "retired" plow horse, gets her medication, her Pepto Bismol, and her applesauce.  

Melissa, has been very helpful at "The Open Gate Farm Tour, where she monitored the "craft & flea market table, with Kathryn, and then "stepped in" to help with the donkey rides for the children. It is quite an honor to have Melissa, sharing our "mission" and her commitment & dedication are wonderful values for the junior volunteers to model & learn.  A "heartfelt" thank you goes to Melissa, for her generosity, her gentle ways, and the her "sparkle" in her eyes, that demonstrate to myself & others, that "Animals & People Need Each Other. Thank you, KG

 

Melissa has always been passionate about helping animals in need and is very conscious about environmental conservation.  Her plan was to major in environmental science or zoology, but her plans changed and she graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in Professional Writing and Public Relations.  

She has always felt that volunteering should be a part of life because it is such a rich experience and there are certainly many great organizations, such as Gress Mountain Ranch, that benefit from assistance. 

"Volunteering at the Ranch has added a new dimension to my life.  As soon as I arrive at the Ranch and see sweet Andrew or beautiful Sundance (or any of the animals), I forget about any concerns that were on my mind.  All I think about is being in that moment and giving the best care that I can to the animals.  After all, they cannot shape their lives the way that we can.  Instead, they rely on their caregivers and the volunteers to provide shelter, food and of course, love."

Melissa also expresses her love for nature through landscape and animal photography.