Volunteer Champion
4/10/15, 2:55 PM
Friday, April 10, 2015
Home
Volunteer
I Want to Adopt
Foster Program
Events
Our Services
Pet Resources
About Us
Volunteer
Donate
Volunteer Champion
Volunteer Champion
PAWS Atlanta is extremely fortunate to have an enthusiastic “village” of dedicated animal lovers who care deeply about our work. Our volunteers arrive at the shelter
every day to clean, landscape, perform clerical duties and socialize with our beloved animals and so much more. Stay tuned as we feature our dedicated volunteers and
the many different ways they support us!
Chris Hughes, 7-Year Volunteer
HOW DID YOU FIND PAWS ATLANTA?
In 2007, I lost my 15 year old “best friend” in life, Miss Frisky, a female miniature poodle. I really missed her, but was
not ready to commit to the responsibility of owning a new animal. In return for the pleasure, love, devotion, and warm
licks I have received from the eight animals in my life, I thought volunteering at an animal shelter might give me the
“animal fix” I was craving. One visit to PAWS and I knew I had found the right place for me. Every staff member I met
was there, first and foremost, for the animals. I really liked that mindset.
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED VOLUNTEERING?
I was still working at Georgia State University. So on Saturdays, I made it a point to come out and walk dogs. I met
other dedicated and wonderful volunteers. PAWS Atlanta had plenty of dogs and cats who needed my help, so I
decided I would make them all my animals.
AND YOU'VE ALSO BECOME THE SHELTER “FIX-IT” GUY?
I like helping on projects. I served in the US Air Force Medical Service for 28 years. Most of my career was spent
overseeing the design and construction of military medical facilities all over the world. I retired here in Atlanta. I
worked for Beers Construction Company and spent my last 12 years with Georgia State University as their Associate
Director for Design and Construction. So anytime the staff needs one of the doors on a pen fixed, I'm glad to do it.
When Phillip (the shelter co-manager) is busy or if something needs two people, I'm glad to help. In the Cat Cottage,
I designed and installed a wall ramp that allows the cats a 12-inch wide carpeted ramp on which to climb and sit,
extending from above the floor to just below the ceiling. I assisted Phillip in the interior renovation of the intake trailer.
PAWS Atlanta staff is so dedicated and caring that it is a pleasure to help them continue to improve their facilities.
HAVE YOU HAD ANY MEMORABLE MOMENTS?
Probably one of the most meaningful experiences I've had was when an older woman brought in her sick poodle, who had an abscess on her side. They'd been living in a
car. She said they were going to tow the car the next day. The woman asked the staff, "Can you take her and find her a good home?”. They said, "Certainly. We can help
you." The dog had her surgery and came through it very well. A few days later, I was at the front desk holding the recovering dog. Right then, an older couple came in to
see to the dogs. While the husband went into the back to look at the dogs, the wife just stood there, looking at the poodle I was holding. She asked, "May I hold that dog?"
and I handed her the dog. Her husband came back out to tell his wife to come look at the dogs, and she said, "No. This is the dog!" That poodle never left her arms
through the entire adoption process.
WHAT KEEPS YOU COMING BACK?
I had a wonderful little dog, and I certainly miss her. Now, I can come out to the shelter and grab a dog and walk with them, and play with them in the off-leash area. It is
here that I get my dog “fix”. I enjoy my time with the dogs; however, I consider the PAWS Atlanta staff and volunteers to be very valuable and important people in my life.
Previous Volunteer Champions
Learn about our previous Volunteer Champions by clicking on a name below.
Jean Haworth
Rosa Moore
Jennifer Gregg
Sarah Miller
Cathy Evans
Harriet Ribbons
Copyright 2013 by PAWS Atlanta
http://www.pawsatlanta.org/Volunteer/VolunteerChampion
Privacy Statement Terms Of Use
Page 1 of 1