The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Kim Archibold is the recipient of the August 2008 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to our Volunteer of the Month, Kim Archbold! Kim is a foster extraordinaire! She has two dogs adopted from GRRA and usually has at least one foster. Last summer, she fostered five puppies, so seven dogs in total were living under her roof! Kim occasionally helps with home checks as well.

Kim grew up with golden retrievers, and when she was ready to add a dog to her family, her vet recommended that she adopt from GRRA. She adopted Archie, originally known as Bean, a yellow lab. About 2 years later, she began volunteering with GRRA. Later, she adopted Beau, a golden retriever, from GRRA.

Kim's neighbors know that she always has lots of dogs around. In fact, several of them have adopted dogs Kim has fostered. Kim's four children enjoy being with dogs, and they have learned to be more independent by helping care for the dogs. Kim's daughter attends most Adoption Days with Kim and has learned about dogs from her exposure at home and at Adoption Days. She now dog sits for the neighbors' dogs when the neighbors are traveling.

Kim's most rewarding experience fostering dogs involved a neighbor who had a daughter who was terrified of dogs. When Kim was fostering the five puppies last summer, the neighbor's daughter was exposed to the puppies, and eventually overcame her fear of dogs. The neighbor adopted a puppy, and Kim frequently sees the once terrified daughter walking the dog through the neighborhood.

Kim enjoys meeting the families who are applying to adopt a dog from GRRA through her fostering experiences. It's fun and rewarding to bring others joy by helping them find a dog that will be a good fit for their home. Kim loves fostering dogs and cannot imagine not being a foster.

Thank you, Kim, for opening your home and heart to dogs waiting for their forever homes! GRRA appreciates all you do to give such great care to foster dogs. Volunteers like you make it possible to rescue hundreds of dogs each year.

Lori Kauffman, who passed away in 2007, was a GRRA™ volunteer who wanted to ensure that GRRA™ continued to do its valuable work. Lori wanted people to know, "Dogs are not disposable. Having a dog is a lifelong commitment. They are an equal part of the family".

If you are aware of a volunteer's efforts that exemplify what is needed to make our volunteer organization survive and thrive, please send a note to volunteer@grra.com. Monthly Nominations are due by the 17th of each month. Click here to see previous award winners.