TAMPA (BLOOM) – Arina Nadya Khona, a senior undergraduate student at the University of Tampa pursuing a B.S. in International Business Management & B.A. in Psychology, is not your average 20-year-old. Born and raised in East Brunswick, New Jersey, Khona has always been driven by a passion for service and community engagement.

From her early years as a Girl Scout to dedicating over 50 hours to community service throughout middle and high school, Khona’s commitment to making a difference has only grown stronger. As Vice President of Community Service for Delta Sigma Pi International Business Fraternity, Epsilon Rho chapter, she was inspired to take her impact to the next level.

In January 2023, Khona founded Happy Tails UTampa, a community-driven organization with a vision to create a world where animals are treated with kindness and empathy, and young leaders are empowered to be the change they wish to see. The mission of Happy Tails is twofold: to provide support for local animal rescues and to promote mental health and well-being through the bond between humans and animals.

Khona joined Gayle Guyardo the host of the global health and wellness show Bloom to share how she brought the not-for-profit Mercyfull Project Animal Rescue and The Movement, a fitness and health organization together to create a community partnership to lift-up local.

With a diverse executive board representing various majors, Happy Tails has grown to over 300 members and has raised nearly $8,000 in donations for Mercyfull Project Animal Rescue (MFP), a non-profit organization dedicated to saving and rehabilitating animals in need.

One of the key initiatives of Happy Tails is to encourage the adoption of animals from local shelters rather than purchasing them online, advocating against inhumane practices. Additionally, the organization promotes foster parenting for animals in need, providing support and resources for those willing to open their homes to temporary shelter.

Happy Tails has collaborated with local businesses like FairyXWolf, founded by UT alumni Morgan Dulgarian, to raise funds for animal rescue efforts. Events such as “Puppies & Pilates” and “Lick O’ The Irish” have been hugely successful, bringing together community members in support of a common cause.

All donations to Happy Tails are directed towards MFP, funding vital services such as vaccinations, medications, and life-saving surgeries for animals in their care. Khona’s leadership, inspired by the resilience of Heydi Acuna, founder of MFP, continues to drive the organization’s mission of compassion and kindness.

Through Happy Tails UTampa, Arina Nadya Khona is proving that age is just a number when it comes to making a difference in the world. With unwavering dedication and a heart full of compassion, she is fostering a community of change-makers and spreading love, one paw at a time.