Girl Scout earns prestigious award after starting NICU at Humane Society of Tampa Bay

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A local Girl Scout is celebrating a huge accomplishment after starting up a NICU for puppies and kittens at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Juliette Selman is a Girl Scout Senior at Girl Scouts of West Central Florida and has earned the “Gold Award” after completing the project.

“I definitely have a big passion for animals,” she said. “It just feels so amazing and I feel so excited about it.”

Juliette joined the Girl Scouts when she was six and began volunteering at the shelter when she was 10.

“Every time I volunteer in there, I always see some sort of animal in there, just sleeping or healing back to life and it’s just a great feeling,” she said.

That passion led to her spearheading a project to open an entire NICU at the shelter, complete with an incubator.

The NICU is also stocked up with food, blankets, and bottle warmers.

Since the project has been completed, nearly 200 puppies and kittens have been treated.

Because of Juliette’s dedication to making a difference, she will receive the prestigious Gold Award.

According to the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, only about 5% of nationally eligible Girl Scouts earn this award and can start at a higher pay grade if they decide to serve in the military.

“I’m going to do ROTC in college and then I am going to go to the Air Force as an officer,” Juliette explained.

For more information on how to join the Girl Scouts, visit their website.

If you are interested in volunteering, adopting, or fostering any pets, check out more details on the Humane Society of Tampa Bay website .

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