MENDOTA – This year's Tom Merwin Gold Star Employee Award was announced at the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce's annual dinner, Nov. 8. Nominated by the general public, this award is given to someone who is considered an outstanding employee.

Sidney Engels was recognized as the 2019 award recipient.

Engels is a long-time resident of the area. She began her career at Mendota Companion Animal Centre while in high school. She returned to work there in 2012 and is currently finishing a veterinary technician certificate from Penn Foster College.

During the award presentation, Kate Fox, Chamber president & CEO described the nominee. Her nominator said, "Sidney is kind, gentle, and compassionate toward animals. She deserves to be nominated for the patience and confidence she has shown toward my pet."

Veterinarian Dr. Cathy Wolfe persuaded Engels to attend the evening event with all of her co-workers under the assumption that Mendota Companion Animal Centre might win an award that night. Wolfe knew otherwise.

As the presentation began, Engels said she realized quickly that she was the recipient and was quite surprised.

Engels has always had a love for pets. She grew up around cats, dogs, and horses. Currently, she has four cats and a dog. That love and care translates to how she treats the animals where she works. And pet owners have noticed enough to nominate Engels for this prestigious award.

"We always work around the animals and sometimes have to change the way we do things in order to make them more comfortable. I think we go above and beyond," Engels said.

Engels enjoys her job and the people she works with, but admitted that the job can be emotionally straining at times as pets age or have heath issues. However, she noted that she has grown up with or known many of their clients for a long time and values that it feels like family at Mendota Companion Animal Centre.

"I can't imagine doing anything else and being happy," she said.