ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996               TAG: 9611060013
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1    EDITION: METRO 
COLUMN: extra credit

A PAT ON THE BACK TO SARAH FARISS

Name: Sarah Fariss

Age: 16

School: Cave Spring High School

Year: Junior

What she's done for others: Sarah has been volunteering at the Roanoke Valley SPCA for more than five years. She began working in the shelter, then wanted a way to help people and get the animals out of the shelter environment, too. She joined one of the SPCA's Pet Therapy Teams that brings dogs to visit residents at Camelot Hall Nursing Home in Roanoke.

Sarah and a dog from the shelter, or occasionally her Bassett hound, Oscar, travel from room to room, staying for as long or as short a time as the patients are comfortable with.

``It's therapeutic for them to pet a dog or talk to me,'' Sarah said. ``Basically, they want someone to spend time with them.

``One of the hardest things about volunteering at Camelot Hall is that you don't know what kind of attitude you'll get when you walk into a room and you have to deal with people who have all kinds of medical conditions. Sometimes, it's hard because you know some people don't have much time left.''

``Sarah is a natural at helping patients interact with the animals,'' said Betty Wilson, Sarah's Pet Therapy Team leader for four years. ``She's charming, delightful and talkative. She's very comfortable going into some difficult situations and she's handled them in a most gracious and discreet manner. She has wisdom beyond her years.

``She started on my team when she was 13 and has remained absolutely dedicated since that day. I don't need any more pets,'' Wilson laughed, ``but I've thought several times, there's a young lady I'd like to adopt.''

``Sarah is unique in the way she deals with the residents at Camelot,'' Linda Wilkes wrote in her nomination letter. Wilkes, a language arts teacher at Hidden Valley Junior High School, was Sarah's sixth-grade teacher and is on her Pet Therapy Team. ``She can carry on a conversation with anyone. Not many kids would even attempt that.

``Sometimes, she hears and sees more than she should but always manages to put the situation in the proper perspective and still show compassion and understanding.

``I've seen Sarah go into situations that would bother adults,'' Wilkes said, ``and it's amazing how well she can handle it. And she keeps going back.''

Other activities: Sarah is in her school's flag corps, has been in the marching band and plays alto saxophone in the symphonic band.

I would like people to think of me as ...: "fair and decent.''

In my free time I like to ...: ``be outdoors, even if it's just to take my dog for a walk. I like to hike, but don't get to very often.''

Sarah also likes to cook - ``I'm always up to something in the kitchen'' - and enjoys flower arranging, which she did for her brother's wedding.

What I'd like to change about the world: ``I wish people could be more respectful of each other.''

What I'd like to change about myself: ``I wish I could relax more. I'm always stressed out about school.''

Most important issue facing teen-agers today: ``Peer pressure. Simply that.''

The toughest lesson I've learned so far: ``I've really learned you don't know how much time you have here, so it's important to enjoy every minute. Seeing the senior citizens - they've lived full lives; they enjoy just waking up in the morning.''

My greatest thrill has been ...: ``going to the Olympics this summer. My family is a big fan of cycling and we saw the cycling road race.''

My dream date: ``To go out with someone who is respectful of me, someone I can have an intelligent conversation with. It doesn't have to be fancy.''

My major goal in life is ...: ``to try and treat everyone equally, no matter who they are.''

Person I most admire: ``Cyclist Lance Armstrong. He's been the picture of health and was just diagnosed with cancer. It's hard to see someone you admire so much suffer. I read about him on the Internet every day. He's very inspiring.''

Best advice I've received is ...: ``from my mom. She said, `Treasure life and the people in your life.' That's really true.''

Future plans: ``I want to go to Virginia Tech, maybe go into elementary education."

LENGTH: Medium:   84 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:  Eric BRady. Sarah Fariss with her dog, Oscar. Sarah and 
          Oscar are regular visitors to nursing homes through an SPCA 
          volunteer program. color.