Monday, June 22, 2009
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (AP) — Tails wag whenever Connie Donald walks into the Wood County Humane Society.
The residents all know it’s time to go outside.
Donald has been walking dogs at the shelter for 18 years, and now leads a group of volunteers who show up four days a week to make sure that each dog gets its exercise.
They go out even if it’s raining or snowing.
Donald, a registered nurse at the University of Toledo Medical Center, started walking the shelter dogs when she was living in an apartment and couldn’t have pets.
Donald also takes some of the hard-to-adopt animals home, including a cat with feline immunodeficiency virus. She and her husband have five pets.
“She is the perfect epitome of someone who gives a lot at work and also applies in her volunteer life,” said Esther Fabian, director of health-care marketing at the Toledo medical center. “The qualities and compassion that make her a great nurse make her a great volunteer.”
On some days, a dozen other people including Bowling Green State University students join Donald for the walks.
The walkers and dogs go at a good pace on a 2-mile walk around an industrial area. They only pause for water or a bathroom break.
Donald makes a schedule for the walkers, trains volunteers and makes sure every dog gets outside.
Interim shelter manager Jamie Fairbanks said the dogs go crazy when they see Donald.