November 2011- Mrs. Kara Dalton, animal science instructor at Gateway Institute of Technology, was named Volunteer of the Year by local animal rescue group, Gateway Pet Guardians. Kara serves as the education coordinator for the group. The goals of the education committee are to spread the word about the importance of spay/neuter, regular vet care, animal nutrition, and any other animal health related issue. They conduct community education events and have programs designed to present to classrooms, youth groups, and Scout groups.

Gateway Pet Guardians is a rescue organization the focuses on the homeless animal epidemic in East St. Louis and Centreville. The volunteers feed the street animals daily, and rescue as many as they can. They are 100% foster home based, and are currently raising money to build an emergency shelter and clinic.