In 2017, OHS volunteers logged more than 250,000 hours of service.
When it comes to volunteering, one quote is often used to describe these selfless individuals: “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” This could not be any truer than with Oregon Humane Society volunteer Cecil Reniche-Smith. She is the leader of one of the top Doggie Dash teams, Highway to Home, and has been working tirelessly to fundraise as OHS aims to hit $1 million this year. She also has numerous other volunteer jobs including helping with the intake of dogs through the Second Chance program, showing dogs to clients, facilitating dog playgroups and deploying to disaster zones. She does all this while juggling a busy career as a lawyer.
Cecil started volunteering at OHS in 2014 after losing her two beloved dogs in a traumatic accident. The event left her wanting to be around dogs but not ready to adopt.
When asked about the types of things she does at OHS, she says “if there’s a dog involved I have probably done it, am doing it now, or hope to do it in the future.” When she first started at OHS she joined the Saturday morning walking team. She then expanded her work to the Kennel Buddies and Pet Pals program – both programs help dogs who are shy or need extra help with behavior challenges. She also helps with intake of dogs through the Second Chance Program, even washing the dozens of dirty crates that the dogs arrive in each week. Cecil recently became the teamleader of the OHS Technical Animal Rescue Team and has put her rescue skills to work in hurricane ravaged St. Croix. She has also worked at emergency animal shelters in North Carolina and Ohio. “Whew – amazing I find time to do my “real” job,” she jokes when she reflects on all the time she spends volunteering.
Cecil especially enjoys her emergency response work and helping dogs with behavioral challenges transform and get adopted. Her advice for other volunteers; “If you see something that you would like to do, don’t be afraid to ask how you can do it.”
