Tag Archives: volunteers

Adoption, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Spay/Neuter, Volunteer

Honor National Pet Month by adopting a loving animal in need

Posted on by Angel Hartline
19
May

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

 

This has been a tough month at the County Animal Shelter. In just the first 18 days of May, 376 homeless animals have been received by the facility at 333 Wire Road.

Yes, you read that right. We’re only slightly past the halfway point of the month and the shelter is already packed full of animals surrendered by owners or picked up as strays. If this pace keeps up, the Shelter will receive more than 700 homeless animals by month’s end.

The County Shelter urgently needs adopters, fosters and volunteers to help offset this flood of homeless animals. It is also vital for all County citizens to get their pets spayed/neutered to reduce such an overpopulation of dogs and cats. County vouchers for these surgeries are available at the Shelter, 333 Wire Road.

Ironically, May is National Pet Month, an annual celebration of the benefits that pets bring to our lives and a time to reflect on what we can do to make their lives better. While far from being in a celebratory mood due to the latest intake numbers, we can take the National Pet Month’s goals to heart by finding these unwanted animals loving forever homes.

Let’s start by shining a spotlight on three special dogs up for adoption – a trio of truly sweet souls who need a break in life. These animals, through no fault of their own, have suffered especially difficult pasts and yet remain full of joy and affection for people. Two of them come from cruelty cases.

These dogs – all housebroken – are looking for, and deserve, loving homes where they can be the only canine:

CLAUS: This handsome, brindle and white Terrier mix is a very calm boy who loves people but prefers his humans all to himself. He’s just two years old and is described by volunteers as a “cuddle bug” because he will make an ideal couch companion for anyone looking for a dog to snuggle with while reading or watching television.

LUCIE: High-energy Lucie is a super sweet, outgoing Terrier/Boxer mix who has so much love to give! She adores people – so much so, she tries to hug every friendly human she meets. She’s also a terrific athlete. Lucie was found as a stray shortly after having puppies that were never found. She’s only two years old and has expressive eyes that dominate her pretty face.

HAYDEN: Like Claus, this 5-year-old likes to relax and is extremely affectionate – but also enjoys long walks and is great on a leash. His looks stand out because he has one brown and one blue eye. As far as getting along with other dogs, Hayden is very selective. If you already own a dog, you’ll need to bring him/her to the shelter for a “meet and greet” to see how they get along with Hayden. However, this warmhearted Hound mix would be ideal as the only dog in your family.

Please come visit these three dogs in need and all the other terrific animals available for adoption at the County Shelter! Remember, all animals are half price this month – dogs $35, and cats $15.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

Claus enjoys some one-on-one time with FOTAS Volunteer and Canine Coach Darling Rios.
Claus enjoys some one-on-one time with FOTAS Volunteer and Canine Coach Darling Rios.
Hayden, wearing an e-collar so he doesn’t lick at his stitches, visits front desk volunteer Joyce Egge.
Hayden, wearing an e-collar so he doesn’t lick at his stitches, visits front desk volunteer Joyce Egge.
Cats, Foster, FOTAS

Fostering kittens more rewarding than volunteer ever imagined

Posted on by Angel Hartline
17
May

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications
Debbie Snyder arrived at the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) carrying cans of puppy formula. She’d read on the FOTAS Facebook page that the shelter was running low and needed donations. Being a dog lover and owner, she often did her part to drop off food, treats and other goodies for the canines waiting to be adopted.

But on this day, she would not leave empty-handed.

“When I got there, (FOTAS Programs Coordinator) Kathy Jacobs asked me if I’d ever fostered kittens,” Debbie said. “I told her I wasn’t really a cat person and I didn’t know much about them, but if it would save their lives, I’d give it a shot.”

The kittens in question had been found and brought to the shelter by a good Samaritan but their mother was nowhere in sight and they needed continuous bottle feeding and care. Debbie took the newborn foster kittens home and what started out as an act of kindness, gradually became a rewarding personal journey for the retired lawyer.

“From the moment I got home, I set up a warm spot for them and let my two yellow Labs smell them and they quickly got very comfortable with the kittens,” Debbie said. “Over the next seven weeks, the three little guys went from being completely helpless to very affectionate, and it’s been wonderful watching their personalities develop.”

In the beginning, taking care of the kittens was a bit challenging. They had to be bottle fed every few hours and needed help with elimination. Debbie would patiently massage their bottoms and tummies until they pooped and peed. But after about three weeks, they could eliminate on their own and at five weeks old, they started sleeping through the night and could be fed kitten food mixed with water in a bowl. It was about this time that Debbie named her three fosters: The fuzzy, black one became Edward and the two Tabbies were christened Ben and Keith.

Today, the three brothers are nearly two months old, healthy and happy, and running and playing in Debbie’s home. They love playing with her large Labs and are so comfortable around them, they’ll sometimes climb on top of them. In a typical fostering situation, the kittens would be ready to head back to the shelter for adoption. But Debbie became so smitten with the cuties, she adopted them herself. The ailing orphan kittens, who were fighting for survival, now have a forever home and an owner who is committed to giving them love and care throughout their lives.

“I’m so glad I decided to foster them,” she said. “If you have the time to do it and love animals, I think you should try it. FOTAS provides terrific guidance on what needs to be done and is always available if you need support or have any questions.”

Many kittens and puppies ,along with dogs and cats, are currently being received at the shelter, and FOTAS is in urgent need of foster homes. If you can help foster shelter animals at your home, or are interested in volunteering in other ways, please email info@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands.

debbie snyder kittens

FOTAS Volunteer Debbie Snyder at home with her three foster kittens.
FOTAS Volunteer Debbie Snyder at home with her three foster kittens.
Adoption, Dogs, Donate, FOTAS

Damon’s Story

Posted on by Angel Hartline
14
Apr

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice President

I used to have a home, and then I lost it. I went on a ride with my human—one of my favorite things to do, by the way—and the next thing I knew, the car was gone and so was the human. I was confused. I didn’t know what to do, so I started walking.

By the time the nice men in the big truck picked me up, I had been walking for days. I was tired and scared out of my wits. I was also hungry, so there was no way I could turn down the treats the nice men offered me, even if it meant they caught me, which they did. I figured they would take me home, so I curled up for a little shut-eye before the big reunion.

As it turns out, the nice men in the big truck did not take me home; they took me to big building called a Shelter full of barking dogs and people I didn’t know. I was really scared until Kathy, the FOTAS lady, came along. I had picked up some nasty fleas, and I was itching like crazy. But that Kathy is a miracle worker. She lathered my whole body up with soap, and all those blasted fleas disappeared like magic! Whoa! I decided right then and there that there were humans as nice as my human, maybe even nicer if they could get rid of fleas and remember to put me back in the car, and maybe I should give them a chance.

But no one wanted me. Sure, Kathy and the volunteers played and walked with me, but day after day, I watched my pals go to their new homes—not one person ever even stopped by my kennel. It was so depressing, I stopped even looking up when people came through the door.

So when Kathy told me some college kids needed some dog love to de-stress, I knew I could help; I know a thing or two about stress—big time. Kathy took me and two pals to a place called a college. Someone had come up with this brilliant idea, you see, to charge each student $1 to “Pet a Pup,” and for the whole afternoon, all these cool kids lined up to play with us. They paid a buck and I got all the belly rubs! Plus, the college donated all those dollar bills to buy us more treats and toys! What kind of deal is that? The best deal, that’s what.

And I tell you what else: those kids were as happy to rub my belly as I was to be rubbed because they missed their own dog pals at home. How cool is that? But I have to confess: I was flat-out exhausted from all those belly rubs, so I conked out in the car on the way back.

What a day—kids, car rides and belly rubs. Now, if someone will just take me home, life will be grand.

Damon has recently been adopted and now lives happily with his new humans. We love a happy ending.

Their lives are in our hands.

 

DAMON HELPS A STUDENT RELAX DURING USC AIKEN PET A PUP EVENT

Damon
Damon

damon march 16

Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, Volunteer

The sooner county shelter dogs find forever homes, the better

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Apr

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

Animals that come to the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) adjust differently to their new environment. Some are fine from admission to adoption. Others are scared at the start but then tolerate their surroundings. And then there are those that start off strong, but begin to get depressed or stir crazy after a week or two at the facility.

Currently, three dogs at the shelter fit this last category. Time is always the enemy for ACAS occupants, since their future is never guaranteed. But the longer it takes for these wonderful animals to get adopted, the harder it becomes for them to cope with their situation and the more strain it puts on their mental well-being. With this in mind, FOTAS and the ACAS recently waived their adoption fees.

Each of the following dogs is available to a good, loving home for $0:

Gretchen. This 4-year-old girl is a real character and full of personality. But the mixed breed ball of sweetness has been at the shelter longer than any other animal on the adoption floor. She is starting to wonder if she’ll ever get the chance to have a home of her own.
Gretchen loves people and must have the company of other dogs – so much so, she can’t be left alone or she gets distressed and tears up her crate. She also needs a large outside area to play in. But if you have other dogs and a big, fenced-in yard or a lot of land, she’ll make an amazing addition to your home.

Sabine. This poor dog arrived at the shelter grossly underweight and suffering from a skin condition that made her nearly hairless. Sabine had to be fed at least three times a day and there were no guarantees her fur would grow back.

Luckily, the 1-year-old, Retriever mix did regain her beautiful coat and now just needs to be treated for heartworms, which FOTAS will pay for through its “Have a Heart, Save a Heart” fund. Sabine will recover and build her confidence faster in a loving home.

Finian. Finian is another terrific dog who needs to find a home as soon as possible. With his easy-going manner and sweet face, this 1-year-old mixed breed is a volunteer and staff favorite. When prospective adopters first came to look at him, he would wag his tail and strut up to the front of his kennel to say hello. Once he had their attention, he pushed the side of his head against the door of the kennel, so his visitors could rub behind his ears and under his chin. But after two weeks of being passed over for other dogs, Finian is getting depressed. He sleeps more and now when visitors come, he weakly wags his tail and doesn’t always move from his bed to greet them.

The ACAS is a fantastic facility, with caring staff and volunteers, but it’s not home. It can be a scary place for lost and surrendered animals. The sooner these dogs are adopted, the better. Please visit them at 333 Wire Road in Aiken and see if one (or more) of them will make a wonderful addition to your family!

Their lives are in our hands.

Henry and Harrison with Bellamy
Henry and Harrison with Bellamy
Gretchen on chair
Gretchen on chair
Sabine
Sabine
Denice Pryor hugging Finian
Denice Pryor hugging Finian
Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS

PVC pipe interactive feeders make dinner fun for County Shelter dogs

Posted on by Angel Hartline
09
Apr

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

In the morning, the Aiken County Animal Shelter (ACAS) dogs are fed their breakfast in stainless steel bowls. But at dinner, their meal gets more interesting.
Shiny white, foot-long PVC tubes filled with kibble are brought out and given to each dog. Each of the tubes, 2 inches in diameter, feature three small holes to allow kibble to escape when the dogs move them.
“It gives them something to focus on and is like a puzzle they have to solve,” says ACAS Kennel Tech Jevon Garcia as he distributes the interactive feeders to the dogs. Indeed, it seems to briefly take the dogs’ minds off their situation of being homeless and in a shelter.
Watching the dogs approach the feeders is entertaining and some are better at it than others. Raegan, a young Retriever/Shepherd mix, is new to the feeder and slowly learns that nudging it magically makes food appear. But Bellamy, a 2-year-old Hound mix, is more experienced with the feeder and immediately pushes it along the floor in a workmanlike fashion. He eagerly pounces on the white pipe, nudging it with his nose and front paws to release the kibble and gobble it down. Whenever the pipe rolls against the wall of his kennel, Bellamy picks it up and moves it back to position where he can roll it some more. Jevon said Bellamy is the most skillful interactive eater and always finishes his afternoon meal before his fellow canines.
The dogs’ dinner has been served this way for about a month now and it all started with a suggestion from FOTAS board member and volunteer, Ellie Joos. She saw a similar homemade device demonstrated in a YouTube video and asked Dean Spiro if he could build a prototype that could be tested at the Shelter. Dean, whose background is electrical engineering but is good with his hands, took on the challenge and created samples, then tested them on his own dogs, Freddy and Sage. Once his Dachshunds gave the PVC pipe feeders two paws up, he gave some prototypes to the Shelter staff for a test run.

“We weren’t sure what to expect but when we gave them their first meal in them, we noticed complete silence except for the rolling of the feeders as they worked to get the kibble out,” said ACAS Lead Kennel Tech Randy Bush. “No barking or crying – it seemed to relieve their stress a great deal.”
The PVC pipe interactive feeders slow down eating enough to prevent bloating that can occur in larger dogs when they eat too quickly and gulp down a lot of air. They are washed after every meal and are not given to puppies, small dogs, or malnourished canines.

FOTAS paid for the materials to build 50 and Dean, with the help of his friend, Richard Stamm, fulfilled the first order. Then the shelter asked for 50 more. And then 40 more. While the materials are funded by FOTAS, Dean and Richard are donating their time to help the shelter animals.
“It’s been a fun project and we’re pleased to take part in something that’s helped make the dogs happier,” Dean said.
Their lives are in our hands.

Randy Bush holds pipe for feeding
Randy Bush holds pipe for feeding
pvc pipes in basket
PVC pipes in basket
Bellamy with PVC pipe
Bellamy with PVC pipe
Adoption, Cats, Dogs, Foster, FOTAS, Volunteer

Volunteering: Fun, rewarding and a great way to get in shape

Posted on by Angel Hartline
26
Feb

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

It’s 5:30 p.m. and the County Animal Shelter has been closed for a half hour, but FOTAS Volunteer Karen Brady has some unfinished business. She is concerned about one of the dogs, Monica, who is having anxiety issues, so she’s taking her home to foster. As Karen opens the door of the 5-year-old, black beagle’s kennel, Monica bursts out and into Karen’s arms.
“She’s going to be a happy girl, tonight,” Karen says. “She’ll be able to run around with my dogs and sniff all the new smells. It will be a good change for her.”

Karen started volunteering at the shelter last spring and is often the last member of the FOTAS team to leave at the end of the day. She moved to Aiken from Montana about a year ago, when she retired from a successful career as an ecologist and soil scientist for the USDA. Karen grew up around animals in Denver and currently has three adopted dogs of her own.

Since joining FOTAS, Karen has gained a reputation as a model volunteer. She not only comes in to walk and socialize the dogs six days a week, but also fosters puppies at home (with the help of her daughter, Genny) and takes shelter dogs to off-site FOTAS adoption events. She is supportive to her fellow volunteers, great with animals and helpful to those who visit the shelter to adopt a pet.

“I do this work for the animals but I also love the social activity,” she said. “Everyone here is very nice and has it in their hearts to do good where they can. I think that’s why I keep coming here. We have a really good team and have a lot of fun.” Karen noted that sometimes volunteers have get-togethers on the weekend or meet for lunch after the shelter work is done.

Besides the social advantages, Karen listed other benefits of volunteering at the shelter:
Great exercise. Karen has lost 10 pounds since becoming a volunteer and a colleague of hers has lost 40 pounds from walking the dogs. “It’s cheaper and a lot more fun than joining a gym and walking on a treadmill,” Karen said.
Animal education. If you like dogs and/or cats, you get the chance to see a wide variety of breeds and learn how to treat and care for animals with different personalities. “You also get an education about how these animals find homes and how much is done for them while they’re here,” Karen said.
Rewarding adoptions. “It’s so exciting when your fosters get forever homes,” she said. “Sometimes you miss them a bit, but you’ve reached your goal. You’ve given them a second chance!”
The shelter always needs more people to foster and volunteer and the population of unwanted and stray animals increases in the spring. So, if you are interested in becoming a FOTAS volunteer, please email info@FotasAiken.org or call the FOTAS hotline, (803) 514-4313.
“Give it a try,” Karen said. “It’s a blast and never boring or routine. And when we have more people, the teamwork is better and we can give more quality time to the animals.”
Their lives are in our hands.

 

The photo above is of FOTAS Volunteer Karen Brady spending time with adoptable shelter dogs Iago (left) and Octavia in one of the facility’s play yards.

Adoption, Cats, FOTAS, Volunteer

The love of a cat

Posted on by Angel Hartline
20
Feb

By Joanna D. Samson, FOTAS Vice-President

“What greater gift than the love of a cat.”
Charles Dickens

“Cats are smarter than dogs. You could never get eight cats to pull a sled through the snow.”
Jeff Valdez, television writer and producer

As much as I love my shelter dogs, Maggie and Jack (and I do love them a lot), 35 years ago I had a pet who was so special that, to this day, the thought of her makes me weep.

Poo Cat was a tuxedo cat of advanced years who appeared on my doorstep one bitterly cold December day in 1978 when I was cramming for exams. She quickly settled in and made herself at home, crouching on the table and playing with my pencils while I read, perching on the toilet each morning as I dried my hair, and curling up on the pillow next to me while I slept. Poo Cat was the best friend and companion I could have asked for in those trying times. She asked for little and gave so much.

I love cats, so if cats have gotten short shrift in this column over the past years, it’s only because all of those big and small goofy, funny, friendly, lovable dogs that pass through the Aiken County Animal Shelter take up so much time and energy. They really need our companionship. They crave our attention—all the time.

Cats, on the other hand—eh, not so much. They spend their days quietly surveying the world around them. They don’t ask for much – a little food, a little water, a warm place to sleep and a cuddle from time to time.

Which is why cats make ideal companions for people who work, people who live alone, and people who don’t have the time, space or facilities to care for a dog. They are self-sufficient. They don’t need to be walked three times a day. Give them a barn, and they’ll control the rodent population and live a happy, productive life. Playful and kind, they make great pets for children.

No wonder cats are the most popular pets in the world.

Until recently, hundreds of cats were received at the shelter. Of the adoptable domestic cats, very few are microchipped, and on average, less than 1% of the cats at the Shelter are claimed by their owners. Many of the cats received at the Shelter are feral and unadoptable. As a result, sadly, more cats are euthanized than dogs.

But here’s the good news: through aggressive adoption pricing and the implementation of the County’s new TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return) program, in January, for the first time ever, the live release rate for cats hit a record high of 93%: of the 79 received, 37 were adopted, 34 were TNR’d, and 3 returned to their owners.
From experience, we know these numbers will skyrocket in the spring and summer months because cats are particularly and prolifically fertile, but still, it’s a start.

Here’s more good news. During the month of February, you can adopt a fully spayed/neutered, wormed and inoculated cat or kitten for only $7. What are you waiting for?

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Dogs, FOTAS, Therapy Dogs, Volunteer

Joy and love on Valentine’s Day

Posted on by Angel Hartline
12
Feb

By Tom and Martha Portney, avid FOTAS and Aiken County Animal Shelter supporters

“Saving one dog will not change the world, but surely for that one dog, the world will change forever.”
Karen Davison, Author & Dog Trainer

Dearest Joy:

It wasn’t the fastest bonding to ever take place. We had recently lost a dear four-legged friend, and didn’t think we would ever have space in our hearts for a new furry companion. Joanna and other well-meaning friends brought endless photos, videos and stories to us about our “next dog.”

But Joanna persisted. She told us that you were a stray brought to the shelter, that you were very reserved and many folks liked you, but that you weren’t being adopted. She offered to bring you to our office at lunch where we could just “give you a look” without a commitment.

I don’t know what we were expecting, but it wasn’t you. You were scrawny and scarred, and we were cautious about a Pit-mix. But still, there was something about you that touched our hearts, so in the end, we held our breath and took the plunge.

What a strange and wonderful change you have wrought in our lives. You have taught us patience and acceptance. When our new landlord OK’d you to be our “therapy dog” at our practice, you comforted our clients and made them feel at home. Heck, now they ask for you and not us when they call for an appointment. It has taken you awhile to come out of your shell, but there cannot be a more gentle, more loving dog in the world.

Joy, you capture hearts wherever you go, and you have certainly captured ours. In nine short months you filled an immense hole in our hearts and gave us a walking, petting companion who we cherish more than we can say.

Your human Mom and Dad

Dearest Mom and Dad:

Some dogs come into this world blessed with a good life. Mine was a little rougher. I was homeless, starving, and frightened. At the shelter people seemed to like me but no one was adopting me. Then you who saw me at my worst and loved me all the more. I can remember how anxious I was when I met you behind your old office. Will they like and keep me? Or send me back to wait even longer?

Well, you did fall in love with, and keep me. You gave me all the time in the world to come out of my shell. You spoke softly and petted me over and over again and took me home to a wonderful house. But more than that, you gave me a purpose and a job as your therapy dog with your clients. I know what pain and fear are like, and I want them to be calm and peaceful, too. Now I really feel wanted, loved and respected.

In these 9 months we have taken walks and visited places I would never have imagined. We are family like I have never known, and I am so grateful to be loved so very much. I can only guess what is ahead for all of us!

Your forever and ever girl, Joy

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Volunteer

Dear Valentine

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Feb

By Joanna D. Samson, Vice President, FOTAS

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways . . .”
William Shakespeare

Although I am certain Willie the Shake did not write the 43rd Sonnet for his dog, I am equally certain that most of us with canine or feline friends could rattle off their virtues without hesitation.

They keep you company, follow you around, sleep with you. They make you laugh. They walk with you. They comfort you when you’re sad. Rescued animals know you saved them. They are forever grateful.

In return, we overlook the hair; the drooling; the smell; the muddy paws; the cost of food, clothing, medical care, treats (so many treats); the occasional mistake in the house; and the small dead rodents left on the porch as an expression of their appreciation.

It’s a small price to pay, don’t you think?

Yesterday, I asked a couple of friends and their rescued pets to tell me what they love about each other.

Ellie Joos, about her 14-year-old tabby cat: “I love it when Sheba hops on the bed, curls up next to me, and purrs like a freight train (if only it wasn’t 3:30 in the morning!)”

Sheba: “I love to sit on the counter and watch Ellie. I’ve trained her well; she always feeds me on time.”

Kathy Jacobs, about her retriever mix: “Sherman’s got issues: he’s overweight, in bad health and not the smartest bulb in the pack. But I love it when he sits on my lap (all 75 pounds of him) and lays back like a big baby.”

Sherman: “I’m insecure. I love Kathy to baby me.”

Peter Miller, about he and Jennifer’s St. Bernard mix and pit mix: “Buster and Beethovan give me the same crazy, frantic, joyous greeting at the door whether I’ve been gone 20 minutes or five days. I love that.”

Buster and Beethoven: “We love it when the man yells, ‘Naptime!’ and we all pile on the bed.”

Heather Wiseman, about their 10-year-old bird dog: “Missy has the craziest eyebrows; they go every which way. We love to play with them, make them stick up in a Mohawk.”

Missy: “The world’s a scary place. I love them for protecting me from birds, puppies, and loud noises.”

Uma Seaman, about her 3-year-old shepherd mix: “Izzy loves people—when she meets someone new, she bows and puts both paws over her eyes, like she’s flirting.”

Izzy: “I love it when she calls, ‘Snuggle-muggle!’ and I get to roll around like crazy on the bed.”

Edie Hubler, about Zeus and Meg: “When I walk them, I love to watch their little fannies just bobbing along, side by side – happy as clams.”

Meg and Zeus: “We love to watch her all day long. We think she’s a goddess.”

The Aiken County Animal Shelter is celebrating Valentine’s Day every day through February 14th: you can adopt your next canine Valentine for only $14 and your feline Valentine for only $7. Your new Valentine will be fixed and fully inoculated.

And of course, your new Valentine will come home full of love and devotion. It will be the beginning of a romance that will last a long, long time.

What a deal.

Their lives are in our hands.

Adoption, Cats, Dogs, FOTAS, Volunteer

Mom and son add something special to FOTAS volunteer team

Posted on by Angel Hartline
04
Feb

by Bob Gordon, FOTAS Director of Communications

The first thing you notice about Derek DeMio is how open and friendly he is, even with total strangers. The 26-year-old makes a habit of greeting everyone he comes across, and if he hasn’t met you yet, he will introduce himself and offer his hand to shake on a new friendship.

Derek’s good manners undoubtedly come from a solid upbringing by his mother, Susan Walker. But it’s more than just the result of great parenting. He loves people and they tend to return the favor. He has a natural ability to connect with others and his positive outlook is not only appreciated by the staff and fellow volunteers, but also by the animals.

“Derek and I love to volunteer at this wonderful shelter,” Susan said. “He loves the dogs so much and they respond to him in a special way. The staff and volunteers are all wonderful and being here is always a great experience for both of us.”

Today Derek and his mom have been walking the dogs, changing their kennel blankets and playing with most of the 16 puppies that have recently been added to the adoption floor. Like nearly all the volunteers and staff members, Derek gets attached to the underdogs – animals that take the longest time to get adopted. His latest favorites are Hilde, a pretty, 5-year-old Retriever mix who has been on the adoption floor the longest of all the current residents, and Shelby, a sweet, 3-year-old Retriever/Terrier mix. Earlier this morning, Shelby got some needed nurturing from Derek, resting her head on his chest and wagging her tail as he stroked her shiny, brown coat.

When Derek and Susan are not volunteering at the shelter, she works as a registered nurse while he is hoping to find a job soon through a special needs work program. Derek, who has Downs Syndrome, was just notified that he is eligible for job placement and expects to get hired soon. Before moving to Aiken from Connecticut six months ago, he worked for the Coast Guard Academy and several restaurants. But Derek always finds time to volunteer and said he won’t stop helping out at the shelter once he starts a new job. He would miss the animals too much, as well as the great feeling he gets when he sees them getting adopted to loving homes.

“The companionship and friendships we’ve made here – it’s been a morale booster for us,” Susan said. “Plus the education we are getting by being here…learning so much about how to handle and take care of these animals.”

“It’s a wonderful therapy just be with a dog or hold a cat, she added. “There is a connection – a bond – there. It definitely makes your heart smile.”

If you are interested in joining the FOTAS volunteer team, please contact us at 803.514.4313 or volunteer@angelhartlinedesigns.com.

Their lives are in our hands…

 

Derek and his mom, Susan Walker, volunteer at the shelter twice a week and help socialize shelter animals like Miss Kitty, a 2-year-old tuxedo cat who needs a home.
Derek and his mom, Susan Walker, volunteer at the shelter twice a week and help socialize shelter animals like Miss Kitty, a 2-year-old tuxedo cat who needs a home.