The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Matthew and Rehka Carlisle are the co-recipients of the January 2011 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Matthew and Rehka Carlisle, our January co-Volunteers of the Month, have been diligently coordinating and running the Sunday Adoption Days since September of 2008. "The Adoption Day Coordinator position became available, so I applied," Matt says.

Matt originally got involved when he was still single. In the summer of 2008, having just moved back from the West coast, Matt was looking for something to keep him "out of trouble" when he came across GRRA™. "Originally I was looking to volunteer for a lab rescue that apparently was no longer in existence," he explains. "That's when I came across GRRA™."

Through the Shipleys, Matt got his first (and only) foster named Chance. With him came an experience that can only be compared to the widely adored 'Marley & Me.' "He had behavioral issues and severe separation anxiety," says Matt, "and he had already been through four fosters before coming to me." Although Chance was a challenge, Matt found a soft spot for the dog who pee'd indoors, ate remotes, ripped down the drapes so he could "watch out the window" for his beloved owner and chose Matt's dirty socks as his favorite toy.

Unfortunately, Chance was heartworm positive and because he wasn't properly treated for it the first time around, he had an enlarged heart and was deemed unadoptable. Chance needed a permanent foster, and Matt was his only option. "I knew if it wasn't me, it was nobody," he says. In the time that Matt had fostered him, he was able to correct some of the behavioral issues and bring Chance to a point where he was happy. "He really was the sweetest dog in the world," he explains. "His heart was overly large in more than just the physical way." Chance's heart eventually gave out, and Matt had to let him cross the rainbow bridge. "Eighteen months after I got him, his quality of life drastically deteriorated," he says sadly. "It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do." Matt champions Elizabeth Laney for helping him through the difficult loss, saying she was a tremendous rock for him.

Matt introduced Rehka to GRRA™ in 2009. They were high school sweethearts who reconnected in March of 2009 and married shortly thereafter in August. That's when he started taking her along to adoption days. "We liked it so much that we kept doing it for two years!" he says. "It's a good feeling helping dogs because they are going to love you no matter what," he says. "There's nothing they can do to help themselves and they are so forgiving and loving." But October of 2010, they knew it was time to pass the torch. "It was rewarding for us, but we wanted to do some traveling and there really wasn't a back up person [for the position]," he explains. "We felt it was a good time to let someone else experience the joy we got out of it." They both agree it was a lot of fun meeting all the families and building that connection with other animal lovers. "I got involved as a way to distract myself personally and I just kept doing it," Matt explains. "I thought it was time for me to give back."

Matt and Rehka, thank you for all you've done for GRRA™ and for giving so much of your time. You made a difference in many lives.

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.