Ever since her days of walking the halls of Trinity High School, you knew Leah Backo '10 was destined to live a life for others. What nobody knew, even her, was that going to be of the 4 legged variety. You have probably seen Leah on the airwaves all over Cleveland for several years as the Marketing Coordinator of the Geauga County Humane Society's Rescue Village , promoting all the good the organization does in rescuing animals and finding them new, caring homes. "I was more interested in health care, but I got this job and fell in love with the animals," said Leah. "Working in a shelter just grabs your heart."

For 3 years, Leah has watched dogs, cats, horses...even pigs, come into the Rescue Village, work with the medical and behavior professionals, get better and find new homes. "I never have a bad day of work. If I'm struggling a bit, I just take 5 minutes, walk around the shelter, play with the animals and it totally changes my day." She enjoyed it so much that a couple of weeks ago, Leah moved to Dallas to become the Public Information Coordinator of Dallas Animal Services. She is going from an organization that rescues 2000 animals every year to a shelter that rescues 30-40,000 animals per year! "I didn't think I would be in animal welfare forever but this opportunity came up in Dallas, and it's an amazing move for my career," she said. "D.A.S. is nationally known for being one of the leaders in animal welfare. Although I'm a bit nervous moving somewhere I don't know anyone, I am excited to be a part of a team that has done amazing things already."

She credits her fast success on THS laying the foundation blocks while she was here. "I love Trinity. Loved the teachers, loved the classes, really everything. I don't think I would be in the same position had I not attended Trinity. I was on the 8th grade retreat when I was at St. Monica's, so I was so happy to be on the ministry leadership team for retreats when I was a student because they are so amazing." She also played basketball, and is a sports buff so she loved attending every sporting event she could to support her Trojans classmates. Although the internship program was just getting started as she was heading off to college, Leah did an internship at the Cleveland Clinic for 2 years while in school. She worked with their marketing staff and their ad agency, which really set the wheels in motion for her career now. Having that experience, she sees the value now of the PPI Program for our kids. "I know how important real world experience was for me, so the fact that our students are gaining those experieces now as students is amazing. It will set them apart from other students in college and beyond."

We wish Leah nothing but the best in Big D as we know she will continue to do amazing things for our furry friends!