The Lori Kauffman Volunteer Of The Month Award

Jean Vallee is the recipient of the September 2010 Lori Kauffman Volunteer of the Month Award

Sometimes there are dogs that come into our program who have what we call a little more life experience (usually not positive), maybe a graying muzzle and typically some social anxiety issues at no fault of their own. These dogs are usually sent into foster care with Jean Vallee, our September Volunteer of the Month.

Jean is drawn to those who might need a little extra care and who are middle-aged or older. "Mostly I foster the older guys," she explains. "If they're sick, they come to my house because I have a quiet house." After fostering for other organizations in the area, Jean got involved with GRRA, picking up her first foster in 2005. "I fostered a dog that was given the name Ayla, but I called her Sophie because she just looked like a Sophie!" she says. "They thought she was a 13-year-old male, but she was actually a 6-year-old female," she laughs. "It took three baths before they figured out she was a girl." Sophie came from a backyard of feral dogs and she wasn't socialized at all. "I picked her up from the vet, gave her another bath, then at 1 a.m. she had a seizure," Jean says. "I got broken in [with GRRA] really well!" But that didn't deter her from fostering up to four dogs each year since then. Sophie now lives in Birmingham, sending updates to her former foster mom and posing for GRRA's calendar two years in a row.

Jean has what she describes as a "pretty placid house" with free roaming chickens in the back yard, Cookie, her "ancient" shepherd mix, and Cowboy, a strapping Australian Shepherd who came from a rescue. "Cowboy had heartworm and chemical burns from the matting on his belly," she explains. "I think he was used as a stud dog with no human interaction other than someone yanking his collar and taking him where they wanted." After a couple of years, Cowboy is a "fine dog" and has now taken up permanent residence with Jean. "I like taking care of the older guys," she adds. "It's karma because we're all going to get old hopefully."

Jean also participates in some of GRRA's Dog Wash fundraisers, bringing along her hand crafted, all natural soap, Taupe Soap. "I use food grade oils and make it the old-fashioned way - it's called cold process," she explains. "It's really so much better for your skin and I wouldn't want to use anything else on small children - or my dogs!" Jean donates her dog-themed soaps in molds of doggy footprints, bones and dog shapes to be sold at the Rescue Romp and in the Golden Store. She claims she isn't great at internet sales so if anyone wants some for themselves or their fluffy friends, just call her!

Currently, Jean doesn't have a foster but says she is awaiting her next "golden oldie" or dog who needs a quiet place. Each of her fosters has affected her in a different way, but one of the most memorable was a dog she describes as ghastly looking but who thought she was the prettiest thing in the world. "At adoption days, she would stand in the aisle like everyone was there to pet her," she laughs. "She thought she was the belle of the ball - and there wasn't a day she didn't wake up and say 'man this is a great day!' "

And this is one reason Jean thanks GRRA for letting her foster some really great dogs and why she will continue to welcome these dogs into her home. "Fostering is one of the most rewarding experiences and everyone should try it," she says. Well Jean, GRRA thanks you for all you've done and continue to do - you truly make a difference in all the lives you touch!

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.