Hearts and Hands

Calling All Volunteers

Volunteering at Best Friends is all about spending time with the animals. Sometimes, the most helpful things a person can do are also the most enjoyable - like petting a cat who's been lonely, or taking an energetic dog for a walk. Here are a few stories of volunteers who have come to visit the sanctuary.

Change is Good!

"Ever since she was four years old, Hannah has been saving all her change for Best Friends," says her mom, Gina Truesdell (both pictured at right).

Hannah and Gina came to Best Friends to see where all that money was going. Here they met Athena, an Australian shepherd/border collie mix. And they took her back to their cabin for an evening sleepover. (That's a very popular activity with visitors and volunteers!)

"Hannah was watching TV on the bed, and Athena jumped up right beside her. They've been inseparable ever since."

Home Away from Home

Even dogs need a vacation!

Last year Pepper was adopted by Laura Bruck, from Cleveland, Ohio, who was vacationing here and walking dogs at Dogtown. The two went home together - and now they're back!

On his return visit, Pepper kicked back and reminisced with old friends while Laura spent a month as a volunteer.

"Best Friends is our second home," she said.

Serving Time - and Loving It!

Each year, World Horizons, a community service program for teens, comes to the sanctuary.

In addition to working with the animals, the teens help with special projects, like maintaining the trails around Dogtown, or building a fountain in memory of animals in Angels Rest.

"The kids really liked the Angels Rest fountain project," said group leaders Dawn Tanis and Brooke Feingold. "They felt such an accomplishment when they finished it."

Aspiring Vet

Six-year-old Clair Howell has a passion for animals. "I've wanted to be a vet my whole life," she says plainly. (Her whole life? Well, that must seem like quite a long time to her!)

Clair visited Best Friends with her mom and dad, and spent some quality time with our own Dr. Virginia Froehlich.

It wasn't all work for Clair, though. Her parents let her host a slumber party back at her cabin for Checkers the Dalmatian (one of the dogs at our Old Friends home), and we're told she may have even gotten some playtime in.

The Honeymooners

Paul Boxer and Sara Goldstein spent their honeymoon at Best Friends.

"I've been a member of Best Friends for three years," explained Sara. "And I've always wanted to see the sanctuary.

"We were married in Red Rocks Conservation area near Las Vegas, and just had to come to Best Friends - you have to see it for yourself!"

Paul agreed. "Everyone says I'm a nicer person since I met Sara. I think it's because I'm more aware of animal issues and the environment. To see Best Friends makes it even more real for me."

Walking the Dogs

Gary Stuart, retired from the military, is a regular dog walker at Best Friends Dogtown.

"I love walking the older dogs," he said, "because they're so appreciative, and I love their happy faces!"

Gary moved to nearby Kanab from Palm Desert, California, and spends three afternoons a week as a regular volunteer at the sanctuary.

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