Ashley Phoenix stops for a portrait with an adoptable dog named Wybie before her shift volunteering at the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin recently.
Ashley Phoenix stops for a portrait with an adoptable dog named Wybie before her shift volunteering at the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin recently.
JANESVILLE — ÃÛèÖÊÓƵÃÛèÖÊÓƵ Local Volunteer of the Week is Ashley Phoenix, a department manager at Basics Cooperative Natural Foods, whoÃÛèÖÊÓƵ been volunteering at the Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin for almost two years.
Phoenix was on the hunt for a local organization to volunteer for that could work around her schedule when she came across the humane society. “I was like, why didn’t I think of this sooner? ItÃÛèÖÊÓƵ a perfect fit for me,†she said.
As a dog lover, she takes two days out of the week to spend quality time with the dogs and take them on long walks. She has an Alaskan Mounted Pitbull mix named Willow whoÃÛèÖÊÓƵ five years old.
“It feels good to give back,†Phoenix said. “Being able to help an animal who, depending on their background, might’ve not ever had someone show them compassion and give them that emotional support makes volunteering such a key role in the community. Animals are a huge part of the community and by guiding them and showing them that thereÃÛèÖÊÓƵ a positive light at the end of this feels amazing,†she said.
Phoenix values the passionate staff at the humane society and says itÃÛèÖÊÓƵ not just a job for them; that the workers truly care about the wellbeing of the animals.
“Being able to work alongside people like that motivates me and creates a certain level of positivity that I enjoy being around,†she said.
She encourages people to just look around at organizations who may need help and volunteer even just an hour of their time a week can make a difference.
“Just reach out to organizations and tell them your schedule and that you’d like to help, they might be able to work something out with you.â€
Watching dogs break out of their shells and accept compassion is one of her favorite parts about volunteering. “You see it and you just know you’re making a difference.â€
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