Since starting as a RCHS volunteer in August, Annette Beaty has been an invaluable member of our team. Working as a dog volunteer, Annette plays a key role in helping to socialize and train the dogs. She spends quality time with each dog, patiently working on “sit”, “down”, “stay”, and giving a lot of hugs and treats for a job well-done. Annette forms intense bonds with every dog she works with, treating them all like they are the best things on four legs. Because of this, the dogs never forget what it’s like to have a mommy and are better adjusted when they move to their new home. Annette even takes her work home with her…literally. She was a loving foster-mom to one of our dogs that needed a little extra attention, and has taken many dogs home with her for the night to give them a chance to sleep in a real bed. Annette is such an important volunteer it’s hard to imagine what we ever did without her!

Photo caption: Annette pictured with Janie, a sweet Chinese Crested Alumni of RCHS

Judy Newton is one of RCHS’ long-time volunteers who the kitties, and the kiddies, have come to depend on. Judy has been one of our most reliable cat volunteers for several years, coming in like clockwork once a week to give the cats time to frolic. Every week she emerges from the cattery with a stick toy, a big smile, and a story about the silly kitty antics of the day. But that’s not all. Judy also serves as our Kids Community Service volunteer assistant. As a retired school teacher, she has been able to provide years of knowledge and experience, which have helped greatly improve the program. Judy helps educate the students in this program about how to care for animals and on animal interaction. Her specialty is, of course, the cats! In addition to educating the youth in our community, she also helps to teach the new RCHS volunteers as a volunteer mentor. Her role as a mentor teaches new volunteers the ins and outs of working with cats, which she does with enthusiasm and care. RCHS is blessed to have Judy as a part of our team!

Photo caption: Judy is pictured with a group of Kids Community Service students in our Cattery. Here she is explaining cat behavior, and how to safely approach and handle cats.

Nicole Andrews had us hooked from the moment she started as a volunteer with her outgoing personality and constant smile. A teacher at heart, Nicole has been incredibly important at RCHS, helping us to educate the public and the volunteers. Her friendly and approachable personality makes her a gem to have at community events, where she volunteers her time to give out information about RCHS and our animals. She has a passion for the organization and the animals that is contagious to everyone she speaks with, which helps to attract people to RCHS. Nicole is both a middle-school teacher and a certified dog trainer and therefore has many talents she has shared. She not only helped to plan the Kids Community Service program, but she also invited us into her own classroom to educate her students at school. Nicole is currently training some of RCHS’ dog volunteers on the basics of dog training, utilizing her skills as a professional dog trainer to help the RCHS dogs. We are so lucky to have such talented and giving volunteers, like Nicole, as a part of our RCHS family!

Caption: Nicole Andrews is pictured with Sandy, a very friendly Beagle Alumni of RCHS, at the 2005 Encinitas Street Faire.