Heartbreaking and Fulfilling

Donnette Little first became familiar with the Animal Humane Society more than 20 years ago when she and her daughter attended the Walk for Animals with their two dogs. Since then, Donnette's involvement with the Society has grown tremendously, just like the Society itself! For the past 18 years Donnette has donated both time and money to the Animal Humane Society, and more recently she honored the Society by including it as a beneficiary in her estate plan. As you'll see from her story, this was an easy decision for Donnette. She loves animals and believes the Animal Humane Society is making a positive impact on animals and people.

Donnette began volunteering for the Society in the Adoption area, but soon found her true calling in the Adoption Preparation (or Ad Prep) program. The Adoption Preparation program is staffed entirely by volunteers. Its goal is to help animals that seem too nervous or timid when they first arrive at the shelter become more confident and able to be adopted. Through one-on-one sessions with Ad Prep volunteers—sessions filled with love, compassion and patience—many of these animals do find new, loving homes. Sadly, not every story is a success, and according to Donnette, volunteering in Ad Prep is both "heartbreaking and fulfilling." It's that fulfillment that keeps her coming back to volunteer, week after week and year after year— that, and the "privilege of working with such tremendous volunteers and devoted staff."

The Animal Humane Society has benefited greatly from Donnette's support and dedication, and so has someone else! Approximately three years ago Donnette's Doberman pinscher passed away. A few months after that tragic loss, someone brought Daisy, a 3-year-old Doberman, to our shelter and into Donnette's life. Donnette freely admits that she spoils Daisy and people may think that Daisy is one lucky dog. Donnette knows, however, that by bringing Daisy into her home and her life, she's truly the lucky one.