Helping animals has been a lifelong passion for Poodle and Pooch volunteer Teresa.
“Since I was a kid, I’ve been bringing strays home,” she says. “I’ve always been into animal rescue and helping animals.”
Teresa’s mission was put on hold when her mother developed dementia, and Teresa had to move in with her.
“When I was taking care of my mom, I had to step away. I stopped socializing, I stopped going places,” Teresa says. Her mother eventually moved into assisted living and, sadly, passed away about a year ago.
In January 2023, Teresa decided it was time to start volunteering again, and she picked Poodle and Pooch. She had adopted Willy, a yorkie mix, from us in 2015 and was impressed with our rescue.
Teresa is part of our donor team, a crucial role with the rescue. Once a dog gets a donor, the team keeps the sponsor updated for every step of that dog’s journey: first, a thank you email, followed up with vetting and listing updates, and, finally, the “I’m home” email.
“When you’re doing the donor writing, you really count on the people who are fostering to give a lot of details about the dog’s personality and to send photos of the dog,” Teresa says. “We want the sponsors to feel like they know the dogs. And that their donations and support are helping dogs get the help and medical care they need so they can find their loving forever homes.”
Teresa, a native Orlandoan who works full time, stays busy handling the donor emails for multiple dogs. She admits she has a soft spot for older dogs. “The seniors get me sometimes; I guess because I’m a senior myself.”
She has always had dogs of her own, including Roxy the Pomeranian, her “heart” dog who passed last year; and Willy, who died a couple of years ago.
Now, Teresa shares her home with Coco, a 10-year-old Chihuahua who is a “fiesty little girl,” and foster-fail Luka, a shih tzu-maltese mix who’s around 8 years old.
“There’s always another dog that needs help. Always, always,” she says. “I’m just one of those people who feels compelled to do something.”
We appreciate you, Teresa!