Volunteers are a big part of what makes our world go ‘round! Our volunteers are a special…breed. They have huge hearts, endless compassion and extra time, all of which help the AHS accomplish our mission of improving the lives of animals. From time to time, we’d like to introduce you to some of these unique individuals like…
Hooked on Show and Tell
- Article contributed by Carolyn Beno in
celebration of her seven years as a foster parent for the Arizona
Humane Society. Carolyn spends her days at St. Joseph’s Hospital and
her nights going to the dogs.
Many of us have fond memories of participating in Show and Tell in grade school. As adults, we no longer have Show and Tell, but must be just as prepared when asked, "What's New?" Most of the time, there is nothing exciting to report. The exception is each time I visit the Arizona Humane Society to greet my next foster.
I started fostering after attending volunteer orientation and interviewing with the foster coordinator. Foster parents take in sick or injured animals, give them their medicine and take them for veterinary checkups. Dogs, cats and critters such as rabbits or guinea pigs are available for fostering. The veterinary visits, food and medicine are provided. Transportation is the only expense. These animals need time to heal and live with foster parents from a few days to a few months.
There are currently about 500 foster parents for the Arizona Humane Society.
I brought home my first charge, a cocker spaniel named Princess, in February 2002. Returning her to the Humane Society was hard. I had lost Sheba, my 15-year old American Eskimo Spitz, about six months before and still missed her. Many first time fosters flunk when they take home that first animal. They adopt that new love and are no longer able to continue fostering.
Most foster parents have their own pets. About a year after caring for Princess, there was an emaciated foster who adopted me. On January 12, 2003 Sandy, a dingo look alike, formally took possession of my couch. Sandy is named after Little Orphan Annie's dog – the one who said "Arf!"
My Sandy copes well with the revolving door of guests. She teaches them the rules of the house and knows when they are healthy enough to play. When they arrive, Sandy gives me a look that says, "Who did you haul home now?" When they leave, her look says, "But I don't have anyone to play with!"
My role at St. Joseph's Hospital is to provide pharmacy support for clinical trials. St. Joe's supports my volunteer efforts through generously contributing pharmacy supplies that our patients will not use to the Arizona Humane Society. Occasionally I have the good fortune of dropping these supplies and picking up my next foster on the same trip.
The Arizona Humane Society alleviates suffering, heals the sick and advocates for those in need.
Their patients are valued and treated with respect – every bit as much as patients at St. Joe's. Both organizations restore broken spirits.
The mission of St. Joseph's Hospital is to give back to the community. The patients that are helped sometimes have more legs than expected.
I am often asked how I can give back the fosters after getting so attached. It is tough until you realize the good feelings some new family will have when they adopt an animal that has been given a second chance.
My Sandy and I have loved and returned more than 40 dogs. A select few have their pictures on the internet. But the unforeseen benefit of fostering is that when people ask me, "What's New?," I can reminisce about my grade school and once again participate in Show and Tell. And thanks to the internet, the emphasis can be on showing, more than telling.
Volunteer Denny Myrick is an amazing advocate for the animals. Acting as our lead adoption volunteer at the Mayo PetSmart in North Scottsdale, Denny has excelled at representing the Arizona Humane Society, welcoming and training new volunteers, and, most of all, making sure his canine friends get the love and exercise they so need!
Denny became a Docent-level volunteer earlier this year, which means he is among the most highly trained volunteers at the Arizona Humane Society, allowing him to take on special projects and roles to help us help more animals. And he infuses everything he does with a tireless dedication and an awesome attention to detail.
Thank you, Denny, for all the hope you bring to the animals!
Volunteer Joann Marcott is a compassionate companion to the animals as well and heads up our cat and dog adoptions at the Old Town PetSmart in South Scottsdale on weekends. Like Denny, Joann is an Arizona Humane Society Docent and is trained to jump into special projects, even at the last minute!
Joann is an example of the great things that result when a love for animals and a love for people come together in the same person. She is an inspiring coach to new volunteers, a great ambassador to the public, and an affectionate friend to the animals.
Thank you, Joann, for being part of our volunteer team!
Volunteer Paul Moerman is truly a friend of the animals. Acting as our Senior Volunteer Photographer, Paul has proven himself to be a man of both compassion and talent. Each week, with the help of a dedicated Dog Volunteer and a committed Cat Volunteer, Paul takes beautiful new photos of our adoptable animals, with the hope that these “glamour shots,” shown almost immediately on our website, will attract adopters.
Paul concentrates his efforts on the animals who need him most: our Lonely Hearts Club pets who have been waiting patiently for their forever families for over thirty days; our older Prime Time Pets, five years and up and any animals who need special advocacy. His project has touched countless lives, as attested by the many adopters who have come to the shelter with his photos in hand. Paul is definitely a member of our Volunteer Hall of Fame!
Thank you, Paul, for being a member of our team!
Since 2002, Volunteer Leslie Hickcox has been bringing friendship and affection to the cats and critters at the Nina Mason Pulliam Campus for Compassion. Donating more than 1,400 hours of her time, our staff has become quite familiar with her never-ending compassion and the TLC she generously bestows on the animals.
"Volunteering gives me an opportunity to serve...to use my life for something worthwhile," says Leslie. "There's nothing I'd rather do than spend time with the animals. It's my very favorite thing in the whole wide world to do."
In fact, you're likely to see her stay late to fluff up kity beds, groom bunnies and help our staff tuck in the horses in our Stardust barn at night! Leslie's generosity doesn't stop there...she's also known to foster special needs animals in her home.
Thanks, Leslie...we couldn't do it without you!
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