In May, 2021 my husband and I decided to sell our home of 32 years in Herndon, Virginia and our property on the Northern Neck of Virginia and move to Aiken, South Carolina to live in the state where my husband grew up. In a fast and furious year, we sold both places and moved into our home in Aiken in May, 2022.
I was a little shell shocked but ready to meet new people and make new friends. For the first several months I was getting to know Aiken and meeting lots of people but feeling I wasn’t “connecting” and began missing my longtime friendships back in Virginia. As time passed, I had the horrible feeling that we made the wrong choice and even asked my husband if he would consider going back. His answer was a hard “No!” He liked the mild weather, enjoyed playing golf and was falling in love with pickleball.
I began reading the Aiken Standard intently looking for articles about local organizations where I could contribute my time and in October 2023 there was an article that caught my eye. The article was about an organization, FOTAS, desperately looking for people to volunteer to walk dogs at the Aiken County Animal Shelter. I thought to myself, “I can walk a dog and maybe there will be other people there walking dogs. And people who care about animals are really good people.”
So I signed myself and my husband up for the dog walking training. We began walking dogs which I loved more than I realized. The dogs needed the walks and the social connection as much as I did. And then I began to meet people. A wide range of people. Some older, some younger but all were people that I began to look forward to seeing when I went in to volunteer. And then I began to expand that volunteer experience at the shelter where I felt I could help: Doggie Day Outs, short term Fostering, taking a dog to an event, and Play Group support.
It has been a life changing three years since I saw that article. I am grateful for all the people I have come to know who share their experience, time, a good laugh and give me new perspectives to consider. I’ve come to realize that every single person at Aiken County Animal Shelter is a valuable asset. Every member of the staff. Every member and volunteer of FOTAS. Every person who donates. All of us are people who care deeply about the animals who come into the shelter. All of us are working towards improving the lives of each animal and making a better future for them while they are in our care. I hope you’ll consider coming out to volunteer. If you do, I’ll be sure to introduce myself when I meet you on the walking trails. I’m glad we moved to Aiken, South Carolina!
Their Lives Are In Our Hands
by Amy Peterson, FOTAS Volunteer