One of the things that makes the Stunning Senior Program special is that our team doesn’t just take photos together. We serve together, learn together, and give back to our community together.
When it came time to choose a community service project, the Class of 2026 made their decision quickly: they wanted to help animals.
That decision led us to Pet Circle, Waco’s animal shelter, for a morning of service that was equal parts hard work, laughter, and furry friends.
Not everyone could make it. But, those that did had a great time.
What is the Stunning Senior Program?
For those who are new here, the Stunning Senior Program is a leadership and mentorship experience for high school seniors that blends service, personal growth, and of course, unforgettable senior portraits. Every year, we select a small team of driven, creative, kind-hearted seniors to represent StunningGradPhotos.com. It’s more than just a photoshoot — it’s a year-long journey of community, confidence, and connection.
On Saturday, April 25, 2026, our team arrived at Pet Circle ready to work. We were fortunate that the shelter’s Volunteer Appreciation Event was taking place the same day, which meant there was pizza waiting for us later. But first, there was work to do.
And not the glamorous kind.
Our first assignment was helping clean the dog kennels.
The dogs waiting for their forever homes deserve a clean, safe place to stay, so we grabbed scrub brushes and got to work. If you’ve ever cleaned a horse stall, you have a pretty good idea of what this looked like. Every kennel had to be scrubbed, rinsed, and cleaned thoroughly.
After rinsing, we discovered another challenge. Water doesn’t always cooperate. Sometimes it likes to stay right where it is. That’s where the giant squeegees came in. We pushed water toward the drains and made sure each kennel was ready for its furry resident to return.
Once the kennels were clean, we welcomed the dogs back inside.
That was when the fun really started.
Enrichment Time
Pet Circle does a wonderful job helping dogs stay active and engaged while they wait for adoption.
We helped prepare enrichment activities designed to keep the dogs mentally stimulated and entertained.
Some dogs received rolled-up paper bags with treats hidden inside. Others got towels wrapped around snacks. A few lucky pups received hanging plates smeared with tasty treats that kept them happily licking away.
Watching the dogs investigate, play, and enjoy their enrichment activities was one of the highlights of the day. Their excitement was contagious.
Other dogs received toys and play items, and we spent time watching them explore and enjoy something new.
Tiny Kittens and Big Hearts
Then came the moment that completely captured the hearts of our team.
Three tiny kittens only a few weeks old needed to be fed.
The team immediately fell in love.
Using feeding syringes, we carefully fed the kittens and spent time holding them, loving on them, and making sure they were comfortable. Of course, no great animal story is complete without a little chaos.
One kitten decided that Hayley needed a special souvenir from the day and promptly peed on her. The team found this absolutely hilarious. Hayley may not have appreciated the gesture quite as much as the rest of us. I do have a picture. But, I promised Hayley I wouldn’t post it.
After kitten duty, we headed outside to spend time with a few of the shelter dogs.
For many shelter animals, socialization is incredibly important. Spending time with people helps them stay comfortable, confident, and ready for their future families.
We played, walked, laughed, and gave them the attention they deserved. It was impossible not to smile while watching them run around and enjoy the extra time outside their kennels.
Pizza, Laughter, and Leadership
We wrapped up the day with pizza and plenty of laughs.
Looking back, what stands out most isn’t the cleaning, the feeding, or even the playful dogs and kittens.
It’s the willingness of this group to jump in and serve.
Nobody complained about cleaning kennels.
Nobody hesitated when there was work to be done.
The Class of 2026 showed exactly what leadership looks like. Sometimes leadership means standing in front of a crowd. Sometimes it means scrubbing kennels so a shelter dog has a clean place to sleep.
Both matter.
Thank You, Pet Circle
A huge thank you to Pet Circle and the incredible staff and volunteers who welcomed us and showed us how we could help.
If you’ve ever considered volunteering at an animal shelter, we highly encourage it. The team at Pet Circle made the experience easy, meaningful, and fun.
And don’t worry.
You don’t have to clean kennels.
The Stunning Seniors just aren’t afraid of anything. 🐾💛
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