The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Allison Joos is the recipient of the September 2008 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Congratulations to Allison Joos, our Volunteer of the Month! Allison is an adoption consultant for GRRA and has matched over 25 dogs with their forever homes over the past year. Allison is often working with 10 or more applications looking to adopt at one time. She attends Adoption Day regularly and is now helping with the Adoption Day Coordinator role.

Allison adopted her first golden retriever when she was looking for a dog breed that was good with children. After conducting her research, Allison and her family adopted a golden retriever. About four years ago, Allison was looking for a younger golden to be company to her older golden. Allison found GRRA and adopted Chattie when she was seven weeks old. Chattie, who is Miss January in the 2008 GRRA calendar, will be four years old on September 27. When the Joos' older golden crossed over the rainbow bridge, Allison began volunteering with GRRA as an Adoption Consultant. Since then, the Joos' adopted Kiki when she was eight months old.

Allison enjoys her work as an adoption consultant because the role is basically a match-maker between people and dogs. Allison manages the "dog grid" of available dogs and prospective adopters and handles the communication between fosters and adoption consultants during the adoption process.

According to Allison, seeing a "love connection" take place between a prospective adopter and a dog is rewarding. She is especially pleased when she hears from adopters about how happy they are with the dog they adopted. Saving each dog is what motivates Allison to continue volunteering with GRRA.

Thank you, Allison, for all you do for GRRA and for matching so many dogs with their forever homes!

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.