Meet Marie Buquicchio | Animal Advocate / Special Education Teacher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marie Buquicchio and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Marie, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I am from NY. I have always loved animals and love sharing my passion for them with others.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a single mom and have been for almost 20 years. I put myself through college when my baby was 18 months old. I got my masters in NY and moved to AZ in 2013. Although I love teaching and am proud of it, my passion is rescue and my club, “Hands 4 Paws”. If I can turn the heart of even one student to advocate for animals, I can die happy. I started Hands 4Paws a few years ago. My students and I go to rescues and shelters and volunteer our time and services. We raise funds and awareness. We have purchased Kevlar vests for our K9 unit, donated to Soldier’s Best Friend and various rescues and shelters over the years. My kids are awesome.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, my friends KNOW this itinerary involves animals! We are going to the Phoenix Zoo, Out of Africa, Wildlife World Zoo. We are also going to Eagle Tail Wolf Sanctuary and Maricopa Animal Care and Control for some volunteer time. My happy place is with animals…and serving them. There is also a cyldesdale rescue I would take them to. No friend of mine would expect anything less than that from me
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My “shoutout” goes to all the people in rescue who give of themselves so selflessly day after day. Saving animals from abuse, neglect, starvation and even extinction is exhausting, often thankless and emotionally (and financially) draining. The people who dedicate themselves to protecting these animals are all-to-often nameless, faceless unsung heroes. So, my shoutout, my heart, my thanks goes out to each and every one of them.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hands4pawsyhs