After 13 years at the same job, Bill Kemmer suddenly found himself with a lot of free time β and a nudge from his wife. βShe wanted me to get out of the house,β Bill laughs. βSheβs actually the one who first showed me some information about White Whiskers.β
Just a few months into volunteering, Bill has already become a beloved member of the White Whiskers family especially from the residents. βI love the welcome I get every time I walk through the door,β he says. βIβve even started to recognize some of the dogs by their barks!β
What began as a way to stay active quickly turned into something much deeper. βI get so much out of the time I spend here,β Bill admits. βSelfishly, it feels really good to make even a small difference.β
Heβs especially enjoyed taking some of the more energetic seniors β the βyounger old dogs,β as he calls them β for walks around the neighborhood. βI believe enrichment is important. Even just sniffing around or seeing a squirrel brings joy and stimulation to these dogs. Itβs good for them to get out and explore.β
For Bill, volunteering has also meant becoming part of a community he deeply respects. βThereβs such a sense of teamwork here. Each volunteer brings something special to the dogs.βΒ He recalls a moment that stuck with him: βOne of the volunteers was worried about Neco, a little hairless dog whose tongue always hangs out and gets dry. She had the idea to dab a bit of coconut oil on his tongue β and boom, problem solved! Thatβs the kind of creative, compassionate thinking that happens at White Whiskers.β
Billβs family couldnβt be prouder. He often shares photos of himself with the pups, and his wife and kids love seeing the joy it brings him. βThey can tell this is good for me β and they see how much I love being part of something that makes a difference.β
From all of us at White Whiskers, thank you, Bill, for your kindness, dedication, and big heart. Volunteers like you are the reason tails keep wagging and spirits stay high.
Want to join our incredible team of volunteers?
Email us at whitewhiskerssds@gmail.com to learn how you can help!
For more information on how you can volunteer at the sanctuary, please visit the volunteer page on our website https://whitewhiskerswny.org/volunteer/ or email our volunteer coordinator Bailey at whitewhiskerssocial@gmail.com