Jeanine S. began volunteering with BHS in August of 2013, and in that time she’s become a weekly regular at Dog Adoptions and helping us with our special events. She also does all of our adoption check-ins once our dogs have been adopted. Regarding that, she said, “After a dog has been adopted and home for a month I call and do a check-in. It’s so wonderful to hear that a dog you have spent a lot of time with at the shelter, one who has taken a small piece of your heart, is so loved and doing amazing at home.”
She is one of our few Level 2 dog volunteers and is trusted with all of our dogs. She’s become an indispensable part of our team, reliably contributing in numerous ways every week, rain or shine.
At home Jeanine spends time with her 3 dogs, Cricket, a black Chihuahua who is almost 14, Avery, a Miniature Poodle who is 8, and BHS alumni Roxy a terrier mix who is around 6. In her spare time, she enjoys being in the great outdoors and golf.
Jeanine first started volunteering with BHS because she was looking for something to do with her free time, and has a love for dogs. When asked what the most impactful moment has been since starting volunteering with us she said, “I would say my most impactful moment was my first long-term dog finding a home. Cash was a brown Pit mix and with us for over a year and a half. I spent every Friday and Sunday with him…we’d take long walks and spend time in the play yard together. Staff knew how much I adored him and when he was finally being adopted they called to give me the good news. I sobbed…it was such a great moment.”
In her time with us, Jeanine has experienced the many ups and downs that come with working with shelter animals. What she has found most surprising is, “How emotional it is…in the past 8 years I have experienced so many emotions. I have laughed, cried, sobbed, smiled, been sad, been happy, been upset, experienced pain, rejoiced…many others. Shelter workers deal with this daily…they are amazing human beings. Thank you BHS Admin and Staff. I’ve also grown a lot these past 8 years. I consider myself an introvert but when it comes to these animals…I’m front and center. I’ll be their advocate…their voice. Anything for the dogs!”
The staff loves Jeanine’s dedication to our dogs and would feel lost without her. She has also helped to raise funds for our organization, something we would not be able to operate without. She is always looking out for the best interest of our dogs and continues to contribute love and compassion to their lives.