The Angels
Barbara Shumannfang
Barbara Shumannfang is an angel to Saving Grace in many ways—primarily by donating her time to screen dogs at rural animal shelters for the Saving Grace program. This screening requires much time as each dog is carefully evaluated for temperament and suitability as a family companion. Barbara, also a gifted writer, writes many of the articles on our website and in our newsletters. She is the author of Happy Kids, Happy Dogs: Building a Friendship Right from the Start, which was honored with a nomination for Best Dog Training and Behavior Book by the Dog Writers Association of America. Saving Grace is honored to have such a dedicated and well-rounded volunteer as Barbara! Please read more about Barbara and her dog training business, Top Notch Dog, at www.topnotchdog.com.
Mario Arboleda
Our very own computer guy! After getting very frustrated by our old Web site, Mario decided to sign his life away (read: volunteer his time) to create and manage the new and improved Saving Grace Web site. Everything you see here was created by him in an effort to provide you with a satisfying Web experience that (hopefully) will help make the adoption process easier. He also comes around to make sure our office machines are in good working order, and the only payment he will receive from us is a nice hot meal.
Diane Lewis
There's something magical about the way professional photographer Diane Lewis reveals the personality and spirit of every animal she captures on film. Her camera shows the tilt of the head, the soft expression in the eye, the way the light makes those little whiskers on a puppy's chin stand out. When Diane turns her camera on the Saving Grace dogs, she brings their individuality to life for potential adopters, making that special match all the more likely.
Diane's first dog came from a shelter, and photographing wayward dogs to help them find homes has always been important to her. In fact, she left the world of financial analysis to become a full-time photographer specializing in dogs (she also photographs other animals and children). Her amazing talent for getting a squirmy subject to show off their best side is nationally known; her work has been showered with awards and her dog images have been featured in books, on magazine covers and in advertising for major corporate clients.
Each week Diane photographs the Saving Grace dogs with the same care and professionalism she takes with any pet she works with. Her generous gift to Saving Grace in the form of these photos is also a gift to anyone who visits the Saving Grace Web site. You can see some of the magic for yourself on "Our Dogs" page.
Diane is available for private photo sessions; visit her website at www.dianelewisphotography.com.
Sheila Fein
When the Saving Grace dogs see volunteer Sheila Fein coming, they know they're in for a big treat! That's because Sheila not only helps meet the dogs' daily needs for feeding, cleaning, and exercise, but she also provides them that extra dose of TLC. In doing so, she is preparing the dogs to be wonderful companions for some lucky family. Sheila even goes a step further when needed; she has been known to help take photos of the dogs for the Web site, take dogs home overnight to give them a break from kennel life, and has even taught herself some grooming skills to help dogs who come to us in a very messy state. Sheila volunteers most weekdays and makes a difference with each act of kindness she shows the Saving Grace dogs.
Susan Klakoff
Is Fairy Dust Really Laundry Detergent?
If you were a dog, wouldn't you want a clean, dry, soft bed to snuggle up in at night? Saving Grace provides the comfort of bedding for each dog in our program. The down side is that we have an awful lot of laundry, and some of it is quite, well, stinky. The only possible way Saving Grace can provide each dog clean bedding is through the help of The Laundry Fairy, also known as Susan Klakoff.
We are not sure exactly how she does it, but the piles of used bedding disappear and then (ta-da!) reappear clean and fresh-smelling. Thanks to the Laundry Fairy, the Saving Grace dogs can stretch out and rest their little chins on their beds, and dream about who may be coming to adopt them. What a wonderful gift. Thank you, Susan!
Karen Sprague
It sometimes takes the patience of Job to work with rescued dogs, and Karen has that in abundance. She takes on the difficult cases, acting as foster mom to dogs with greater emotional needs. And even more difficult, she helps raise money by collecting donations from her clients. She also takes the dogs for hikes and helps care for them - giving the Chief Executive Angel a much-needed break.
Karen operates a superb pet sitting service, so if you are in need of a home away from home for your pet look no futher than Happy Dog Fun! Check out www.happydogfun.com.
Dr. Jennifer Derby
Dr. Derby is not only a top-notch veterinarian, but she's also very creative with numbers. She has an amazing ability to take the limited amount of cash donated to Saving Grace and make it cover every medical issue we bring to her. Without her generosity, Saving Grace would never be able to afford all the medical care required for our rescued dogs. Without her sense of humor, we would never be able to laugh at ourselves and some of the bizarre situations in which we find our animals!
Babs
Super Woman will have to relinquish her title. Babs is the most dedicated and amazing volunteer and we're fortunate to have her at Saving Grace. She spends hours of her personal time each and every week to keep this organization running smoothly.
Babs is a personal chauffeur to the dogs, picking them up and taking them wherever they need to go. She does the worst of the work without ever complaining and does much more than her share. If a job at Saving Grace has been done perfectly, you know it's been done by Babs. Simply put, Saving Grace would not continue to exist without her!
Lisa
The lives and reputation of shelter animals are improved every day thanks to Lisa. She works long, grueling hours at the Johnston County Animal Shelter and still finds time to volunteer for Saving Grace. And thank goodness! Her knowledge and passion are huge assets.
Lisa is the paperwork queen, handling the not-so-fun, but still important, part of rescue work. She's great at working with volunteers, and her experience dealing with the full range of dog personalities comes in handy when dealing with humans too.
Blake
When young Blake is not busy enjoying the Saving Grace newsletter, he likes to read all about the lucky shelter dogs who find homes thanks to our adopters and donors. Blake's mom, Diane Lewis, is a professional photographer. Each week she takes beautiful photos of the Saving Grace dogs so that potential adopters get their first peek at the dogs' personalities. Who knows, maybe Blake will be a volunteer at Saving Grace one day, too!
Isabelle Derby
The 4 year-old daughter of a veterinarian, Isabelle is destined to work with animals. She's practically a fixture at Saving Grace, and is the reason most of our dogs get along well with children. As young as she is, she has a great sense of dog behavior, understanding which dogs like children and which ones won't tolerate little people. Isabelle is learning the value of volunteers as she rides shotgun to deliver many of the dogs to their appointments. She takes great care of her dog Shenanigans, a one legged Boxer, and her cat, Spider Man.
Georgia Mae Bryant
Georgia Mae's love for dogs must be in her genes - she's the niece of Saving Grace's Executive Director Molly Goldston. At only two years old, Georgia Mae already likes to play with the puppies. She's great at holding them and socializing them. It's tough to find good volunteers, so we start training them early! Georgia Mae has two dogs at home, a bloodhound mix named Mabel and an English bulldog named Lulu.
Wendi, Sasha and Ezrie
Two years ago we decided it was time for a dog to join our family. After asking around, we visited Saving Grace. Instantly we were charmed by the home-like atmosphere and all the happy dogs running around. We found our dog, Harris!
Fast forward a year and a half
and we decided to volunteer as part of our new home school journey we just started. Every week we come work with all the Saving Grace dogs. The dogs get loads of attention from two very devoted girls and their mom. It is hard to know who is benefiting more,
the dogs or us. While scooping poop and washing dirty dishes isn't our favorite thing, the kisses of thanks we get in return are worth it. After the dog pools are cleaned and filled, we always look forward to play time! And at the end of the day, we get the
satisfaction of seeing the pups get a home. It is always fun to come see who ISN'T there the next week!
Hannah and Lynn Bruce
Hannah and Lynn began volunteering with the Saving Grace program in the summer of 2009. They have enjoyed being part of the program and watching so many wonderful dogs find forever homes. "We love watching the transformation that happens with the dogs. New dogs come into the program and are sometimes scared or hesitant. Within a few days, however, they feel safe enough to run, play and interact with all the other dogs and with us. It is magical to watch that happen. It gives us such a good feeling to know that the dogs are so well cared for and loved, and that they are going to good homes." The program also has been a great way for Lynn and Hannah to spend time together doing something they both love.