Sailors and Marines Volunteer at Bahrain SPCA

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Holly

photo by 1st Lt. Curtiss Peck

MANAMA, Bahrain— Approximately 25 Marines and Sailors from the13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) volunteered at the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) May 7.

The Marines and Sailors from the Combat Engineer platoon, Battalion Landing Team 1/1, spent several hours helping walk, wash, feed and play with animals.

1st Lt. Curtiss W. Peck said volunteering at the BSPCA was both a fun and rewarding experience.

“The shelter doesn’t normally have such a large group of volunteers,” said Peck, a Milwaukee native and platoon commander for Combat Engineer platoon. “It worked out to the benefit of the animals being able to get so much attention.”

Peck said it was important to give his Marines an opportunity to get out and be involved in an activity that was constructive for them, the community, and the animals.
But not all the benefits went to the animals; whether it was walking a dog or playing with a cat, a feeling of home came along with this outreach.

“I know that having the chance to interact with animals, especially dogs and cats which we normally keep as household pets in the U.S., would be good for the spirits of the men,” said Peck.
At the end of the day the Marines felt they made a difference by their efforts—they also had a chance to reduce the work for the staff at the shelter for a day or two.

“The workers at the shelter were extremely appreciative of the Marines and the work they put in, and they wanted to know when we could come back next,” said Peck. “The love the animals received made their day too.”