Another nun who recently came to my attention was one I knew many years ago. I found that she died two years ago. We knew each other through the Delta Society, an organization dedicated to study of the human/animal bond. We traveled the world together doing conferences and workshops.
SISTER PAULINE QUINN is credited with starting the first prison inmate dog-training program (DTP) in the state of
In partnership with the late Dr. Leo Bustad, former chair of
Sister Pauline was born Kathleen on December 10, 1942, in
Trying to escape one set of abuse, she ran into more on the streets, causing her more physical and mental trauma.
Later, Kathleen got the help of a nun, and a policeman pitting her, gave her a retired police dog, Joni, a German Shepherd. Joni’s unconditional love, companionship and protection gave her a sense of security, the connection of love, and the dignity of a person for the first time in her life.
She would often say, dog was God spelled backward. To her, “dog” was like a mirror reflection of “God” who also gives people unconditional love and acceptance.
It was because of this healing experience from her dog, that she started her work. But it was not only involving animals. In 1985, she founded Pathways to Hope and later Bridges and Pathways of Courage, which encompassed the many projects with which she was involved.
Sister Pauline’s other ministries included volunteering with the Comboni Refugee Center in Rome, where she arranged medical care and transportation for the victims of the Bosnian and Gulf wars, as well as assisting refugees from Angola, Ethiopia, and Somalia. She traveled to
She was a real humanitarian and had an amazing gift of “conning” people to bring aid to those in dire need. She made a huge difference in many people’s lives.
Perhaps because a nun had helped her early in her life, she longed for religious life, but many orders found her “strange” or too old. In those early days I knew her, I had a sense that she felt “safe” in religious garb, which also opened doors for her work.
The Dominicans accepted her and in 1996 Sister Pauline made her final profession of vows to Bishop Raúl Vera López, OP. “Did you know the word Dominican comes from the Latin words ‘domini’ for God and ‘cani’ for dogs. Dominicans are dogs for God.” Sr. Pauline said she worked like a dog for God.
Sister Pauline became a resident of the
God works in mysterious ways to show us his compassion and mercy for others, hoping that we learn that all life is important and we have the strength to help rebuild damaged lives by our love. I had no high school education, wounded, little support yet I went out and helped thousands because I found within the Dominican family where I belong”.
May she now rest in the peace of the Lord.