Every year, more than 1,800 volunteers generously donate their time, energy, and love to the animals at Animal Humane Society. They not only introduce animals to their new families, but also help with shelter cleaning, assist in training school classes, bathe puppies, socialize shy and fearful animals, prepare materials for spay/neuter surgeries, and so much more.

Emily has been a regular face at our Woodbury location since October and tells us about her experience in Dog Adoption Support.

What made you want to volunteer at AHS?

Well obviously, I love animals, and that’s a big reason why. But I also had recently become more aware of the cruelty that some animals endure and I was completely heartbroken. So I decided to apply to be a volunteer at Animal Humane Society.

What is your volunteer role at AHS?

My role at AHS is a dog adoption volunteer. I help customers find the perfect dog by asking them questions and making an educated guess of what dog would work for them based off my interactions with all the dogs.

What is your favorite part of your role?

My favorite part of my role is seeing these amazing animals that deserve a loving home, going home. As much as it can be sad because I won't see them again, I'm mostly happy.

Tell us about your favorite moment volunteering at AHS.

An older woman came into AHS one afternoon looking for a new dog. She had recently lost her beloved baby girl of 12 years. She had been looking for a male until she met eyes with a young female Doberman. I set her up in a visitation room and they played and cuddled, and when I came back to check on them she told me her story about her other dog. She started to cry because she never thought she'd be able to open her heart up to another girl dog, and I hate to admit it, but I started to cry too.

When she told me she wanted to go through with the adoption she couldn't stop thanking me for being so understanding, listening to her and helping her open her heart up. That moment was my favorite because she showed so much trust in me, and so much faith. And that’s when I truly knew what my role meant.

What is the most rewarding part of volunteering at the AHS?

The community, whether it’s the vet techs in the back who chat with me while I'm doing the laundry or the frequent customers who come in just to say hi to the new animals. It’s a very welcoming and accepting community, and that makes it so easy to just join right in. I haven't even been working at AHS a year and I already feel like I have been here forever.

What is the most challenging part of volunteering at AHS?

The most challenging part is seeing animals that have been there for so long, and nobody is taking them. Those are the animals that you truly get to know, the animals that you know need the perfect home because they deserve it.

Have you had a special connection with any of the animals in particular since volunteering at AHS?

There have been many dogs who have come and gone that I have completely adored, but none match my connection with Kiko. Kiko is a Jack Russell mix and the sweetest thing you will ever meet. He is a little shy, but he always perks up when he sees me and loves the taste of my strawberry lip balm. I hope to be adopting him soon.

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