Teen helps Apache Junction shelter with mural

APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. (KSAZ) - A high school student went above and beyond when she was assigned a service project, turning a local animal shelter into a work of art.

It wasn't long ago that Carlee and her boyfriend adopted their special pup Zeus from the Paws and Claws Care Center in Apache Junction. So when the high school student was assigned a service project, she knew just where to go make a difference.

"I came in, and I was talking to Jenny, I asked her if I could collect donations for her paws for Paws and Claws, she said to me what we really need is a mural," said Carlee Fowler.

Since she's not an artist herself, at first, the task seemed daunting, but not impossible.

"In my head I'm like ok, I don't know how to paint, but my dad does, so I'll talk to my dad, and I'll talk to my teacher to see if my dad can help me with this project," said Fowler.

Once permission was granted, Carlee and her crew got right to work.

"It's amazing and what it does is it falls with our paradigm shift of a government shelter to our current environment of the Paws and Claws Care Center, instead of just a government shelter," said Apache Junction Police Department Captain Arnold Freeman.

Capt. Freeman oversees operations at the center and says the mural adds excitement to the room among other things.

"It's inviting, it's more of a center where you can look at animals, you feel like you are here for the animals," said Freeman.

As for Carlee, her masterpiece might be complete, but her work here at the shelter certainly isn't.

"I'm hoping to get more donations for them, I would love to continue collecting for them and raising money for them, I'll always be open to getting more donations from people," said Fowler.

Carly says she wants to study veterinary medicine after she graduates from high school.