Hearts and Hands

A Chat with Dudley

One of the hardest tasks facing a volunteer coordinator is, well, coordinating. Fortunately, there's Dudley the Dog.

"About 3,400 people come to my office each year," Dudley explains. "I run the volunteer office. I oversee the filling out of volunteer applications. I help people decide where to lend their talents. Do they want to be walked by dogs? Help cats redecorate their rooms? Would they care to do a bit of housekeeping for rabbits?

"I have two assistants, Liz and Jean, who answer the phone and e-mail. (I don't use a computer. Never learned to type.) Liz is a quick study, and I've taught her how to handle volunteer applications. When children come for a visit with their parents, my job is to play with the children while their parents fill out the paperwork. Being "top dog" has its privileges!

"I've been on the job at Best Friends for two years, and this is without a doubt the most rewarding and challenging job I've ever held.

"I go home at the end of the day with my tail in the air and entertain my cats at home - Winston, Misty and Loki - with stories of the people I've met.

"If you ask me, they're a little jealous!"

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Features Home