 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgKaren Magarian - honored May 17, 2013Karen, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?I think I’ve done a little bit of everything involving dogs at the Center (I’m allergic to cats ...), but have likely spent the most time helping out with grooming and being a member of Lauralea’s Dog Skills team. I appreciate Lauralea’s knowledge, experience, patience and sense of humor while helping us apply positive, reward-based training to reduce problem behaviors and improve adoptability for some of our longer-term (and often more challenging) residents. Mostly, I just try to help out wherever needed and am always eager to learn and grow; must admit, I do have a soft spot for our shy dogs. When my schedule permits, I enjoy participating in Lauralea’s K9 Nose Work class, Cat’s onsite playgroups and Jf’s Mobile Adoptions. I helped out at the 2012 Strut Your Mutt event and recent NKLA Super Adoption, and truly appreciate the opportunity to attend Best Friends-sponsored workshops to include Aimee Sadler’s "Playing for Life!" and the Emergency Response Team training. Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?For as long as I can remember, I have been naturally drawn to animals (especially horses, dogs and rabbits), and my sole (soul) desire was to be a Veterinarian so I could help care for them. However, due to severe cat allergies (which began at a young age), I was told this would not be a viable career option. Oftentimes, old dreams never really die - so it was quite serendipitous that one year ago, I found myself engaged in a conversation with a lovely woman at the White Oak dog park. Turns out that woman was Candi Crawford who had taken the day off to unwind after having just completed the 2012 Super Adoption. I have been a longtime supporting member of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (which is still on my list of places to visit ...), and had heard that Best Friends opened a local facility in the San Fernando Valley, but didn’t really know where it was located. Soon after meeting Candi, I signed up for orientation and have been actively involved as a volunteer ever since. While I may not have trained to be a Veterinarian all those years ago, I have finally come full-circle and enjoy working with a wide variety of dogs on a regular basis. I continue to learn something new each and every day I’m at the Center; plus, I love being around like-minded, animal oriented people - they are the best people in the world!! How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?One year ~ since May 2012 What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? Professionally, I am a Chiropractor with a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in women’s health, gender and sexuality. I also work with plaintiff personal injury attorneys as a consultant and expert witness. I have always gravitated towards service-oriented activities and feel blessed to love the work I do. I attempt to maintain a balanced life with swimming and yoga (meditation in motion), gardening (a grounding form of therapy), and music (which both soothes and stirs my soul). Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? I think it’s natural for everyone at the Center to gravitate towards certain dogs (and cats) more than others. I have enjoyed many of those sweet connections, but the first time one of my favorite dogs was no longer on the premises, I felt a sense of panic and dread - fearing what might have become of this beautiful being. It took a few moments and several deep breaths before I recalled that we are a no-kill shelter, which meant he got adopted!! Even a year later, I still go through that roller coaster of emotion (HAPPY ~ sad ~ HAPPY) when one of my favs gets adopted; so very HAPPY for them and a tiny bit sad for me as I’ll miss their company. Nonetheless, I am delighted to know that we have all done our best to help find these lost souls new and loving homes, so in turn we can do it all over again. Do you have any pets?I share my home with two rescue dogs - an 11 year old Jack Russell mix named Sparkle Boy Blue (Blue for short) who loves playing "boxes" (K9 Nose Work - thanks to Lauralea) and a 3 year old Aussie mix (BunnyHop) who was a shy and anxious foster dog for 6 months before becoming a permanent member of our household. BunnyHop is now called HoneyBunny, and friends often remark that I used to have rabbits - but now have a Bunny. Thank you to the staff and volunteers at Best Friends LA ~ I am honored to be a member of your extended family. What others are saying about Karen:"Karen is always ready to participate in the dog training and enrichment activities at the Center. I can always rely on her! She is an excellent student, eager to learn new skills and to immediately put those skills to work with a vast array of dogs at the facility. Karen has never missed a Dog Skills Class, frequently assists as a mentor in the Brown Paw Class and involves herself deeply with K9 Nose Work. I feel fortunate to have her on my team!"- Lauralea Oliver, Animal Assessment/Transport Specialist
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgSusan T. - honored May 10, 2013Susan T., tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?I first began volunteering at Best Friends LA by tabling at Petco, from there it led to the Adoption Mobile at Petco. I really liked working with the other volunteers and interacting with the dogs. However, I've always had the anxiety of "losing" a dog (even though they were all safe in the gate). I'm always overjoyed when a little fur-baby was adopted. It made the experience worth it. I became more active during NKLA No Kill December, where I decided to help with transport (something I thought I would never do), turns out I LOVED IT! My little pug is a terror in the car, so I thought if I can handle her, the dogs from the shelter must be easier in my car. Turns out, all the dogs I've transported are incredibly gentle and enjoys car rides. On a whim, I decided to sign up for the greeter and receptionist training. I began volunteering as a receptionist and I love it. It took me a while to find my niche at Best Friends, but I'm currently loving volunteering as a receptionist. The biggest irony is what I thought I wanted to do at Best Friends turns out not what I loved doing, and what I thought I had no interest in, I love! Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?I always wanted to volunteer for an animal shelter, but I thought it would be emotionally hard. After my experience with rescuing a stray min pin (took 9 months to capture her, re-homed her to a friend, from where she escaped the yard, to searching shelters/online, and finding her at a nonprofit animal rescue group through networking), was when I knew I wanted to help out other animals similar to her. I heard of Best Friends when I got her spayed there. I like how it is a No Kill Shelter and their commitment to no more homeless pets. How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?I started late Summer of 2012, but didn't find my niche until later in December/January. What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? I am a teacher (currently in Kindergarten) and I love creating lesson plans for my kiddos. I like organizing everything and collecting containers - it must be a teacher thing, because I met others like me. I'm a huge foodie and everywhere I go, I try to find a Diners, Drive-in and Dives restaurant. I will drive far for food and will hunt down cool food trucks! To help balance out the food, I like to participate in 5K runs and have completed 2 half marathons. Yoga and Pilates keep me grounded (or I like to pretend it does anyway). I enjoy hiking where it's shady, because the sun and I don't get along. I'm also quite obsessed with my pug! Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? I wouldn't call it my favorite story, but it was definitely memorable and has helped guide me towards another volunteer opportunity at Best Friends. I was volunteering at the mobile adoption at Petco, and the dog I had was being adopted! YAY! After all the paper work had been done, I was holding the leash and we were walking out to take a photo. The little dog was excited and decided to dash through my legs. While this was happening, my only thought was "Don't let go of the leash!" Not to worry, I didn't let go of the leash, but because I had my hands tightly on the leash, I didn't use them to brace my fall. I landed hard onto the floor (by hard, I mean I face-planted in the middle of Petco in front of people). I was bruised up, but it was my ego that hurt more, that's when I decided to try volunteering as the receptionist, and I'm happy to say: I haven't tripped once! Do you have any pets?I had a chihuahua named Phoebe who started my love for dogs. Then Chloe, my pug, came into my life via my sister. Chloe helped solidify my love of animals. I schedule my life around my little ball of joy. She is a feisty 10 year old pug that terrorizes the neighborhood. When other dogs and people see her coming, they cross the street. I don't know why. She's simply saying hello very loudly. I'm completely obsessed with pugs and will do whatever I can for those fur balls. My little sister and I rescued a stray min pin named Lulu and it was my experience of capturing/losing/finding Lulu that helped lead me to volunteering. What others are saying about Susan T:ʺShe is a stellar volunteer who is always happy to help with both clients and volunteers. She has been a tremendous help at the adoptions desk and we love working with her!ʺ- Maria Salgado-Ramirez, Receptionist
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgPatricia Skerry - honored April 26, 2013Pat, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?So far I have been involved in dog and cat caregiving and enrichment. Many years ago I worked as a registered animal health technician so I enjoy participating in clinic assistance as well. In the future, I hope to get involved in mobile adoptions and community outreach. Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?By word of mouth I heard what a great place Best Friends LA is and the wonderful and varied opportunities that were available. I haven't been disappointed! How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?I did my initial orientation in January so it's only been a couple of months. However, it seems longer because I feel very much at home at BFAS. What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? Two days a week I work as an administrative assistant at the Glendale Community College Professional Development Center. My husband and I also spend time on our sailboat which we occasionally take to Catalina Island and pretend we're in Hawaii. Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? One day when I was volunteering in the clinic I was asked by one of the techs if I would put an E-collar together. She was probably wondering what took me so long and I later explained that it had been a really long time since I had done this and besides these collars weren't even used back then! I told her we used to bend a Sunday Los Angeles Times newspaper in half and tape it around the dog's neck. By the expression on her face she was probably wondering how old I really am! Do you have any pets?We have an 8-year-old Conure parrot by the name of "Roscoe" who is a constant source of entertainment. He loves to dance for company provided we play his favorite songs. We also have somewhat inherited the neighborhood cat who spends most of his time at our house. We named him "Boomer" which is short for "Boomerang" because he keeps coming back. What others are saying about Pat:ʺPat always comes in at just the right time. She is also willing to clean even the messiest of kennels and we very much appreciate her for that. Thanks Pat!ʺ- The Clinic Staff of BFAS LA
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgJeffrey Esparza - honored April 12, 2013Jeffrey, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?I haven't had as much time to volunteer, but I have made it my personal priority to attend the center every Saturday for at least two hours. Within these hours, I have been primarily helping out with the cats. I hope to gain more free time to start putting in more hours to help with both cats and dogs in the same day though!Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?I love animals, so any chance I can have with helping them is one that I will take. How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?I have been volunteering weekly for about two months. What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? I am in my third year at CSUN as an Environmental Biology Major. When I'm not studying for all of my classes, I am also the athletics coach at my former middle school, St. Euphrasia. I coach Boys Football, Basketball, and Volleyball. I am also a Kairos retreat leader at my old High School, Bishop Alemany. When I'm not doing any of the above though, I love to play basketball with my friends, play Xbox, listen to music, and support my favorite teams: The Lakers and The Dodgers!!! Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? I am still relatively new at the center, so not much has happened. I do enjoy seeing the friendly faces every week and having the dogs announce my arrival every time I set foot in the kennel! Do you have any pets?I have three dogs at home, Taco, Daisy, and Luna (pictured). All three of them have distinct personalities. Taco is the only boy of the gang, making him the King, Daisy is the spoiled Princess, and Luna is the playful baby. What others are saying about Jeffrey:"Jeff has been a huge help to us in Cats on Saturday mornings. He always jumps right in, knows exactly what to do and is fantastic with the cats. He even helps us to show around and guide other volunteers when necessary. With his help we always manage to get things done. Thanks Jeff for being such a great help!"- Janette Nevils, Cat Caregiver
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgAllison More - honored April, 5, 2013Allison, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?
I usually spend most of my time in the clinic, cleaning and organizing. But on some occasions I would be in the laundry room or giving some love to some of the cuties on the floor as well. Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?To be quite honest the proximity was a great factor, along with the no kill ideals of the society. I am pretty glad that I had chosen to volunteer here, since the volunteer program is very organized and educational, and the people here are super nice. How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?I have been volunteering at BFLA since November of last year. (I had to check since I don't count the days that I have been here, I count the days that I don't come...) What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? I work as a math tutor at Jane Addams continuation school and I also volunteer at another animal facility called the Wildlife Waystation (I highly recommend volunteering there as well). I extremely enjoy partaking in outdoor activities such as hiking, running and walking with my friends, family, and dogs. Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? You know every time I meet someone here, they always ask me what high school I go to, and it always make me smile and plays out like this. My response: " I actually finished high school..." Them: "Oh so are you going to college now?" Me: " Well actually, I also graduated from UC Davis....." Them: Awkward Silence... "How OLD are you???" Always makes me laugh.
Do you have any pets?I have three dogs : Princess (female senior German Shepard/Collie mix), Willis (Adult Male Black and Tan Coonhound) and the newest to the family and youngest, Ruby (Female Siberian Husky). I have a fondness for big dogs, especially those considered "troublesome breeds". With exercise and training, these dogs can offer more than just companionship and protection, they can offer an intellectual voice. What others are saying about Allison:Allison is supportive and fun to work with. She is very knowledgeable and picks things up easily. Thanks Allison for being such a great clinic volunteer! -BFAS LA Clinic Staff
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgEileen Dennis - honored March 29, 2013Eileen, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?I have been fortunate enough to have become involved in the BFLA’s “Pup My Ride” (PMR) program that transports homeless dogs from the greater Los Angeles area to locations throughout the country where the demand for them outstrips the supply and where their chances to be adopted are much greater. Fortunately, my profession provides for blocks of “down time” which allows me the freedom to help out at the very odd times these transports can occur. Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?I think that BFLA’s efforts at ensuring No More Homeless Pets are among the most effective there are, and I think this is particularly true of the “Pup My Ride” program. I also love the dedication and enthusiasm of all the volunteers and staff members. How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?I was introduced to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, UT, through a co-worker of my husband’s. A visit to the Sanctuary in 2002 got me hooked!! When I found out about BFLA and their efforts, it was a “natural” for me to become involved. I have been volunteering for the PMR program for about 2 years now. What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? I work as an accountant in the movie industry, typically working on one or two projects a year. I have been impressed by the number of people in the industry that are involved in one way or another with animal causes. During non-working, non volunteer downtime, I enjoy hiking and yoga. Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? The most rewarding times I have had with BFLA is when we passed out toys, blankets and treats to all the animals at Baldwin Park Shelter on Christmas Eve. I cannot think of any activity that is more in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. Do you have any pets?My husband and I just have one pet now, a rescued “Chiweenie” named Sophie, having recently lost our other, long-time companion, a Cocker Spaniel named Matty. Matty got his name from the fact that he was a malnourished mass of matted hair when we adopted him from the old animal shelter in Long Beach. What others are saying about Eileen:"Eileen Dennis wears many hats in life, but when she's doing anything for Best Friends, she's always the "tall lady with the big smile". She's such a team player and so wonderful with the dogs. Always quick with a treat and a kind word for the pups, it's easy to see why she's a fairy godmother to all the shy kids we encounter at the shelters during Pup My Ride transports. I always feel relieved when I see her name on my volunteer roster for any event!!!!"-Janine Takasugi, Pup My Ride Program Assistant
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program!Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgEmily Van Voorhis - honored March 22, 2013Emily, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?I started with Best Friends by doing Pup My Ride out of Baldwin Park. I love that program and all the people who work both with Best Friends and at Baldwin Park. I decided to go through the volunteer program at Baldwin Park as well and help them with as many events as possible. Since then, I've been involved with anything and everything--wherever I'm needed--from mobile adoption events to fostering to moving/painting/cleaning. Lately it seems that I always have at least 1 litter of underage kittens--and even convinced my husband to turn a spare bedroom into a kitten nursery! Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?I first heard about Best Friends through a college friend of mine and once I started volunteering, I was hooked. I was working with another rescue organization for awhile and decided it was time for a change. I found that the mission of Best Friends was something I could really get behind--and the people I've met through BF has just been the icing on the cake. How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?I started doing Pup My Ride in 2011 and officially started volunteering with Best Friends just before we moved into the center. It feels like much longer than 1.5 years since so much has happened with Best Friends during that time!
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgLaura Collins - honored March 15, 2013Laura, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?I often participate in grooming, data entry, dog walking, mobile adoptions, and soon I will be helping with Playgroups. Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?I had been searching for a few years for a place to volunteer and help animals in some way. Best Friends has provided me the perfect forum to do just that. How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?Since March 2012 What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? I have been in the telecommunications industry for 32 years, currently with Verizon. Besides volunteering and working, my favorite place is at home with my boyfriend and furry children.
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgEllen Jannol- honored March 1, 2013Ellen, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?I've primarily done some mobile adoptions, temporary foster care for a couple of dogs, and baby bottle kitten and puppy fostering. I'm loving the baby bottle fostering more than words can even express and am really hoping that I can expand on my volunteering out at the center when the nurseries are up and running. Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?I've been a fan and supporter of Best Friends for well over 10 years. My boys and I did a road trip out to Utah one summer and stayed at the Sanctuary in Kanab. While there we helped out in the Old Friends section of DogTown. We stayed on site and did some overnights with a few of the residents of Old Friends, that was really fun! How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?I've been a BFLA volunteer since last summer. The first thing I ever did as a volunteer was help out with one of the Pup-My-Rides, helping out in the kennel area-- feeding the dogs and cleaning the kennels. After that I started doing some Mobile Adoptions (I've done Mobiles at Whole Foods, Petco Unleashed, Moorpark Park, and Orange Bone), and beginning last September started doing the Baby Bottle Kitten and Puppy Fostering. What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? Outside of what I do with BFLA, I have been married for nearly 26 years to my husband, Mickey, and I am mom to 3 boys- Ben who is 24, Daniel, 22, and Joey, forever 18. Tragically, we lost Joey to a brain tumor back in August 2011. He is one of the reasons I originally started supporting Best Friends Animal Society. If he were still alive, I know he'd be a tireless volunteer for BFLA - he loved animals, especially dogs. I do a lot of volunteering. I help out in different areas of advocacy - primarily Special Education Law, and matters relating to pediatric cancer and brain tumor awareness. I also advocate for animals and do my best to encourage people to adopt rescue animals through promoting adoption via links on my FB page. Sadly, some folks have said enough with seeing the sad puppies that I post, but if one of those shares will result in saving an animal's life, it's worth tugging at their heartstrings. I know at least one of my postings directly resulted in a happy ending for a lucky dog!
 "Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, e-mail the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerLA@bestfriends.orgJana Morris - honored February 22, 2013Jana, tell us..... What programs and projects do you volunteer with at Best Friends LA?Currently I work with the Pup My Ride program, but I try to put my fingers in many pies, learning as much as I can.Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?Hurricane Katrina gave me my first taste of emergency animal care. My lengthy and wonderful Tylertown experience made me yearn for more, so I found my way to Kanab, and have been going back as often as possible. During those Katrina days I noticed that the staff, instead of just telling volunteers what to do, would explain why you were doing it. They would readily share information that would make you a better caregiver. This is why I have stayed a Best Friends volunteer. Every day I learn something new. How long have you been a Best Friends LA volunteer?Since I volunteered at Tylertown after Hurricane Katrina. What type of fun stuff do you do when you're not volunteering? When I am not at Best Friends I am in the way elsewhere. Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? There are too many stories to tell, too many happy ever afters, too many fun and silly experiences. I dare not try to pick just one. They occur every day here and they all fill me with joy.Do you have any pets?My own pup is an old husky Husky named Brooklyn. She is a happy smiling sunshine dog. What others are saying about Jana:"Jana is a wonderful and hard-working volunteer, who is especially helpful to the Pup My Ride program. Many days and weekends Jana has spent her time helping us to clean and sanitize crates, prep crates for transport, and more. She's an incredibly selfless person and always has the best interest of the animals at mind. We appreciate her beyond words, and couldn't run the many transports we do without her!"-Candi Crawford, Outreach Manager
|
RSS Feed