“Anyone who knows me knows my fondness for all animals and especially my love for dogs. Meeting other people’s dogs, spoiling & spending time with my own, and helping the ones in need are things I automatically want to do. Dogs that end up in shelters hold a special place in my heart so donating and getting involved with the local organizations wherever I’ve lived has always been important to me. We came to Ellijay with our two rescues, Marv and Scarlet. We’ve since adopted our 3rd, Jax, after months of taking him & his shelter-mates on their walks at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter. Volunteering at the shelter means I get to continue meeting, spoiling & helping dogs in hopes that they all one day find love in the forever homes they so deserve.”

“Dogs have always been a huge part of my life from the day I was born. In fact, the story that gets told over and over in my family is that as an infant, I could only fall asleep at night once our cocker spaniel Sunny was next to my crib. I cannot imagine a life without dogs and in fact we have 4 rescued furry family members currently: Mr. Magoo, Moose, Mavis, and Willa Dean! Moose, our latest addition was the first dog I met when beginning to walk dogs at the shelter. It was love at first sight!!

I believe all dogs and cats have the right to be cared for and live with compassionate humans that understand the responsibility we have for their lives. To this end, I am committed to finding good loving homes for all our sweet dogs in the care of Gilmer County.”

I adopted my first rescue dog in 1981, and have had at least one rescue dog in our home ever since. Shauna was a setter-golden retriever mix who lived until 19. When we moved to our home in Cherry Log in 2020 - the urns with the ashes of 17 rescue dogs came with us.

I’ve volunteered for 25 years at local shelters and currently volunteer at both GCAC and Homeward Bound, and I also serve on the Board of Directors of Homeward Bound.

Shelter dogs end up in a shelter through no fault of their own - but because their humans have failed them. Our role as shelter volunteers is a calling to do right for these beings, and allow them, if even for a brief time each day, to feel love.

Although I really like almost all animals, I have a special love of dogs.  A relationship with a dog is one of the most rewarding things you can have in life.  If you’ve lived with one, you know what I mean.  There is little better than watching a dog enjoy himself. 

I have a strong background in classical and operant conditioning principles and in applying those to create behavioral change.  Mostly that means I enjoy training, problem-solving, and continuing to learn about working with dogs.  As I believe we are responsible for our pets’ physical and emotional well-being, I train with the idea that animals are partners in that training and deserve respect and choice.  It’s an honor to work with each dog at GCAS, and I hope to create a little joy and help them all find good homes.