Volunteer spotlight: Karen Jamrock
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
By: Wendy Welch

Also known as "the dog whisperer," Karen has spent over 6,000 hours volunteering at HSHV. And we thank our lucky stars for her!

As we turn the calendar to "the lucky month" of March, we thank our lucky stars for volunteers like Karen Jamrock. Karen has been volunteering at HSHV for about 7 years, and has spent more than 6,000 hours helping the animals at HSHV. She's pictured here, with Ann, an animal who was under our care -- and under Karen's care -- for about 18 months. Karen's selfless patience and love that she continually gives to the scared dogs day after day after day are essential to saving animals, not to mention vital in finding them homes.

So what keeps Karen coming back to HSHV for so many hours? Inquiring minds asked...

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HSHV: Karen, what inspired you to start volunteering at HSHV?

I have always loved animals, whether they were domestic, exotic or wild. I always wanted to become a vet, but it never happened. I grew up taking care of animals all my life. My grandfather was a farmer who had several animals—chickens, cows. horses and pigs, etc.

We lived on a dead-end street, near the airport; the major runway went right across my street. People would come to watch the airplanes take off and take pictures of the planes. This became a place people would drop-off any animals they did not want. One way or another, these animals ended up at my doorstep. My love for animals continued to grow as I could not stand to see any go hungry. I fed them and found them good homes. At first, my grandfather would help me hide these animals so that I could smooth things over with my dad as to how another animal was hanging around our house! My dad always gave in and the animals stayed until I found them a home. 

Before volunteering at HSHV, I did several volunteer projects. I retired from my job to take care of my mother who had several health issues, I created and prepared craft projects for a teacher who taught K-2, and rehabbed wildlife. After my mother passed away and the teacher moved on to teach 5th grade, I became bored and needed another challenge. So when I saw an advertisement that HSHV needed volunteers, I applied.

HSHV: Tell us about how you started volunteering and what roles you've played.

I started volunteering in September, 2010. I initially started out as a cat comforter, but quickly changed to dog walking, as I am a morning person. Currently I do several jobs, from laundry, cleaning kennels, walking dogs, head start, clinic, playgroup handling, greeter, customer care, adoption counseling, dog sitting, working with extreme fearful dogs, and pack hikes, just to name a few. 

HSHV: What keeps you coming back to volunteer? What volunteer assignments are your favorite?

My love for the animals keeps me coming back. My favorite assignments? Well, it is difficult to just pick one. I love dog walking, playgroup handler, head start, sitting with dogs, and working with fearful dogs (The feeling I get when a fearful animal starts to trust me is such a rush that I cannot explain it. Some people call me the "animal whisperer" of fearful dogs). I also enjoy clinic work even though I don't get to do that very often anymore (due to Raynaud's disease, I cannot make the surgical packets as tight as they need to be), I miss working with the vets and vet techs. We have an awesome staff. 

HSHV: What suggestions for new volunteers—and particularly for dog walkers do you have?

Just enjoy yourself!

Before walking the dogs, take a piece of paper with you and write down the dogs who are red circled, blue dot, sick or staff only, or who might have special needs or require special walking tools. I developed a spreadsheet which I always have with me on which I write the name of the dog, kennel number, if the dog is red circled (meaning house trained, as they need to get out first), what walking tools are needed for that dog (e.g., a harness, metal leash, a metal leash extension, a leash wrap, etc.), blue dot or sick. Once you decide on a dog, read the Dog Walker Comment Book for any notes on the dog, check the behavior board and the chalk board for any notes about the dog. Observe the dog before entering their kennel because this is their space. Upon entering their kennel, I observe the dog again, and don't be in such a rush to take the dog out. I always introduce myself to the dog and take a few minutes to read their body language before putting their leash or harness on or whatever other walking tool they may need. Spend a few minutes getting to know the dog before leashing them up.

As we are walking, I give the dog praise and pet the dogs.  When I take them to the play yard, I play fetch with them or just let them be themselves playing or ruuning around the yard. When the walk is done I take them back to their kennel and once again spend a few minutes with them before taking their harness or leash off or whatever walking tool they might have needed. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Don't be afraid of pit bulls; they are really a great breed who get a bum rap. Don't be afraid to return a dog who might be too hard for you to handle. I try to help all new volunteers if they want my help. If I see a new volunteer or any volunteer struggling, I will always ask if I can help. Some say yes; others say no. I think some dog walkers are afraid of pit bulls or pit bull mixes. I tell them not to be afraid of them, others breeds before the pit bulls have been in the sarue situation. If they are afraid of walking them, then just sit outside the kennels. I will gladly walk along with them if they want to try and walk them. Do your homework. Read about the breeds that might scare you to walk. Before coming to HSHV, I hadn't had much interaction with pit bulls. Once here, I never gave it a second thought. I feel every breed no matter what it may be will have some dogs who will not make it whether it was they way they were socialized as a pup or the way their owners have abused them. It is just like people. Not everyone is going to like you or me. There is prejudice everywhere. It is funny to think about it but dogs can be great for one dog walker and a little crazy for another. They read our body language just like we read theirs. 

HSHV: What qualities do you think are most important for a volunteer at HSHV to have?

Commitment! Love what you are doing. Love animals of all kind. And patience. Take time to get to know the animal you are working with as some respond very quickly while others are slow and afraid. Especially those who are strays; we don't know what happened to them in past. 

HSHV: What would you like to see happen for animals in the future? 

One thing I have been hoping for has just happened. Now, we have a veterinarian coming to your house to give your animals needed care at home (including euthanasia). This is great. A lot of older dogs have difficulty getting in cars even if you have a ramp for them. I know because I had Amber who I adopted from HSHV four years ago. She had a very difficult time traveling which added to her stress. When it came time for her to get her angel wings, I had to contact another group to come to my home for euthanasia because HSHV did not have this service at the time. It is a more peaceful setting when the animal feels secure and is comfortable in their own home. Now, I wish we had an emergency service and a hospice program.

I wish all people would stop abusing animals, no matter if they are domestic, wild, or exotic. I wish every animal had a warm home, food and LOVE!! I wish people would spay or neuter their animals so we wouldn't have so many homeless animals. I wish when animals got old, people would not abandon them. We have so many older animals who make great pets. These animals are already housebroken, and they don't chew or tear up things. They can be a less work than a puppy. I am not saying a puppy isn't great, but they take a lot of work—and if you do not have the time to work and train them, they seem to end up back at the shelter.

HSHV: Has there been a particular animal who really touched you?

There have been so many in the past 10 years, I couldn't begin to list them by name, but the ones I really enjoy the most are those who are scared. Working with them is a pure delight—especially when they finally respond to your love and patience. But the truth is: I love them all.