Aira Thaker Turns Compassion for Rescued Dogs into a Movement for Lasting Pawsitive Change

1. What first drew you to rescued dogs, and what made you want to turn that feeling into action?

Aira Thaker: As a child, I enjoyed feeding the stray dogs in our neighbourhood. I had even named them Blackie and Whitie based on their colours. Since I was only 3 years or so, and my father or grandfather would always accompany me, and I think tha's where my love for animals may have really begun.

As I grew older, that love didn't stop with dogs. For the past five years, I have also been looking after a few strays at the club where I play tennis, making sure they have food and helping with medicines and vaccinations whenever needed. My favourite is a cat we have named Suzan, who has become a very special friend.

Caring for animals has always been part of our family too. Every year, we contribute to a cow shelter in my hometown of Wankaner, where my grandfather is actively involved in caring for the animals. Watching him quietly serve without expecting anything in return has been a big inspiration for me.

So when I had to choose a service initiative for my school's Student-Initiated Service-as-Action project, volunteering with The Welfare of Stray Dogs (WSD) felt like the most natural choice. That is when I realised there was so much more to animal welfare than I had ever imagined. I learnt about rescue, rehabilitation, medical care and responsible adoption, and I saw how much effort goes into giving every rescued animal a second chance.

Those experiences changed the way I thought about helping. I realised that even small ideas can make a big difference when they solve a real problem. That inspired me to start Be the Pawsitive Change and later create the Forever Home Kit, so that I could contribute in a way that would continue helping animals beyond my own volunteering.

2. Can you take us through the journey of Be the Pawsitive Change and how it grew from a school project into something much bigger?

Aira Thaker: It originally started as a school project in 2023, but somewhere along the way it became something much more personal.

In the beginning, my goal was simply to raise funds and collect essential supplies for rescued street animals. I reached out to friends, family and members of my community, and together we raised over ₹57,000 and collected more than 100 kilograms of food and essential supplies. Seeing so many people come together for a cause they cared about made me realise how powerful collective action can be.

As I spent more time volunteering with WSD, I noticed that the journey didn't end when a rescued dog found a home. In many ways, that was just the beginning. First-time adopters were excited but often unsure about what to expect during the first few weeks, especially with rescued Indies.

That inspired me to create the Forever Home Kit. I wanted it to be more than just a box of supplies. My idea was to create something that would help both the rescued dog and the adopting family start their new journey with confidence. Each kit included essential food, toys, grooming and healthcare supplies, along with personalised behaviour profiles and practical care guidance for every dog.

The next challenge was turning that idea into reality. I independently reached out to several organisations, hoping they would believe in a student-led initiative. I was incredibly grateful when Himalaya Wellness Company and Allana Group came on board to support the project. Their encouragement taught me that if you genuinely believe in an idea and communicate it with sincerity, people are willing to support you, regardless of your age.

Looking back, what began as a school project grew into a collaborative effort involving an NGO, industry, and the community. More importantly, it taught me that real sustainable change happens when people come together with a shared purpose.

3. Was there a particular moment at WSD that touched you deeply and stayed with you?

Aira Thaker: One memory I will never forget is watching a rescued Indie dog walk out of the shelter with its new family. While everyone was smiling, I could also sense the nervousness on both sides - the dog stepping into a completely new world, and the family taking on a new responsibility. That is when I realised that adoption of Indies isn't the end of the rescue journey, but it's the beginning of a new relationship.

Finding a forever home is only the first step. What happens in the days and weeks after adoption is just as important because that's when trust, bonding and confidence begin to grow. That realisation stayed with me and eventually became the inspiration behind the Forever Home Kit. I wanted every adopter to walk away feeling prepared rather than overwhelmed, and every rescued dog to not only find a home, but also have the best possible start to its new life. For me, successful adoption is about helping that home become a forever home.

4. What went into creating the Forever Home Kit, and what did you want every adopter to feel when they took one home?

Aira Thaker: When I started thinking about the Forever Home Kit, I kept one simple question in mind: "If someone was adopting a rescued dog for the first time, what would help them feel more confident?"

I realised that new pet parents don't just need food or grooming products. They also need reassurance, practical guidance and a better understanding of how to care for their new companion.

That's why every Forever Home Kit was carefully put together with both practical and emotional support in mind. Along with essential food, toys, grooming and healthcare supplies, I prepared personalised behaviour profiles and simple care guides for each dog. I wanted adopters to understand that every rescued dog has its own personality, story and unique needs.

Creating the kits involved speaking with the WSD team, pre-empting the questions and concerns new adopters often have, coordinating with our corporate partners, and personally bringing everything together. Along with the rigour of school, it involved a lot of planning and coordination. However, seeing each completed kit reminded me that these small details can make someone feel supported.

My goal was to make the transition smoother for both the rescued dog and the adopting family while encouraging responsible pet ownership. If the Forever Home Kit could give families a little more confidence and help a rescued dog settle into a loving home, then I felt it had achieved its purpose. I wanted every adopter to walk away thinking, "I am ready for this".

5. How do you balance the demands of school, academics, and volunteering, while still giving so much of yourself to this cause?

Aira Thaker: Academics are top priority, so I knew that good planning and time management would be essential. Alongside school, I am also actively involved in competitive robotics and tennis, which have taught me the importance of discipline, prioritisation and staying organised.

Most of the campaign planning, meetings and coordination with WSD and our corporate partners took place after school hours, during weekends or over the holidays. I was fortunate that everyone involved, especially Mr. Abodh Aras and the WSD team, as well as our partners at Himalaya Wellness Company and Allana Group, were incredibly supportive and accommodating of my school schedule.

Of course, there were times when balancing school assignments, exams, FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) commitments and the campaign was challenging. But I have realised that when you are working on something you genuinely care about, it never feels like an extra burden. Instead, it becomes a meaningful part of your life, and you simply learn to make time for it.

6. When you look back at this journey, what has it taught you about compassion, leadership, and growing up?

Aira Thaker: It taught me that compassion is not just about caring for a cause. It's about understanding the real problem and thinking about how you can make a meaningful difference. That's what eventually led me from fundraising to creating the Forever Home Kit.

It also taught me a lot about leadership. Earlier, I thought leadership meant leading from the front. Today, I think it's more about bringing people together around a shared purpose. I learnt how to communicate my ideas, build partnerships and work with people from very different backgrounds. Seeing WSD, Himalaya Wellness Company and Allana Group come together for my initiative showed me the power of collaboration and reminded me that people are often more willing to support young changemakers than we sometimes imagine.

The journey also made me more organised and independent. Balancing school, robotics, tennis and all personal commitments alongside this campaign meant I had to plan my time carefully, manage my deliverables and take full accountability for my work. These life skills will stay with me forever.

When I first walked into WSD, I thought I was there to help rescued animals. Looking back, I realise they were teaching me just as much. The shelter became an unexpected classroom, and every wagging tail taught me something about empathy, perseverance, resilience, innovation, collaboration, and leadership. These life skills will stay with me forever.