Our volunteers make all of the work we do possible. They go above and beyond for the animals, the shelter, and the Nashville community every day. Each and every one of our volunteers is an invaluable member of our team, but we like to take the time every month to highlight one special someone through our Volunteer of the Month segment. Check out some of these amazing animal lovers below!
December 2024 – Lisa Griffin
Lisa Griffin has been a dedicated NHA volunteer since 2018, contributing her time and talents in countless ways both in and out of the shelter. Lisa has been an incredible support, particularly with transports, ensuring that animals and supplies are safely and efficiently brought into our care. Whether it’s driving for hours to help animals in need or lending a hand wherever it’s needed, Lisa is always ready to jump in and assist. Her unwavering commitment and generosity have made a significant impact, and we are so grateful for the time and effort she has devoted to NHA and our animals. Thank you, Lisa, for being such an integral part of our mission!
November 2024 – Christina King
Originally from California, Christina first joined NHA in 2022 and has since become a crucial part of our volunteer family. Her dedication to our mission shines through her tireless support at community events, from (many!) Puppy Parties to Tail Waggin’ Tuesdays with the Nashville Sounds and beyond. Christina has also been instrumental in leading pet visitations at Abe’s Garden, providing its residents with joyful moments spent socializing and sharing treats with our dogs. Her compassion and commitment make a real difference, and we are so grateful for her continuous support. Thank you, Christina, for everything you do!
October 2024 – Cindy Anderson
Cindy Anderson first joined our volunteer team in 2022, and since then, she has made an incredible impact at NHA. From disaster relief efforts to Zone 3 support and food bank prep, Cindy has lent her talents across various areas of the shelter. Cindy has achieved yellow-level in dog walking and brings warmth and positivity to every shift, and we are lucky to have her at the shelter. What truly sets Cindy apart is her dedication to our community food bank. For nearly two years, she has volunteered almost 200 hours, showing up nearly every Wednesday to help ensure that families in need have food for their pets. Her commitment and joyful presence make her an invaluable part of the team, and we are beyond grateful for her continued support. Thank you, Cindy!
September 2024 – Barbara Higgins
Barbara first joined us as a volunteer in 2021 and has since logged over 200 hours, contributing to various areas of the shelter. She is one of our amazing fosters, assists with transporting animals to the shelter for the care they need, and plays a vital role in many of our offsite events. Barbara is a dedicated yellow-level dog walker, soon to achieve blue-level status, and has reached the purple level with puppies. She also leads numerous shadow days, helping new volunteers get acclimated to the shelter. With experience volunteering at PAWS in Murfreesboro and Old Friends in Lebanon, and having rescued many dogs in the past, Barbara’s commitment to giving back to the community and showing animals love and care makes her an invaluable asset to our shelter. We couldn’t be more grateful for all she does!
August 2024 – Jennifer Banks & Donielle Wells
Jennifer Banks and Donielle Wells are newer members of the NHA family, but many of you have already seen their faces around the shelter. Despite being relatively new, they have been instrumental in ensuring our daily operations run smoothly and in providing additional support behind the scenes. Jennifer and Donielle help keep our dishes and laundry caught up and maintain the garage in tip-top shape. Staff have the most wonderful things to say about them! They are always eager to help out in any way or area they can! We could not be more grateful for their hard work and dedication to NHA! Thank you, Jennifer and Donielle!
July 2024 – Natalie Anders
Natalie, a former law student at Belmont, began her journey with NHA as a foster in 2022. Since then, she has fostered 10 cats with us, providing them with love and care. Wanting to contribute even more, Natalie started volunteering with us in 2023. Natalie has experience with both cats and dogs, having grown up with large-breed dogs. She quickly excelled from green to blue level as a cat room volunteer. With her extensive experience, Natalie has been instrumental in leading shadow days and helping new volunteers get oriented to the shelter! Sadly, (for us!) Natalie will be leaving in August to start her career as an attorney in Connecticut! We couldn’t let her leave without recognizing her tremendous contributions to NHA. Congrats, Natalie! We are so excited for you and wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors! Thank you for all you’ve done!
June 2024 – Michelene McKinney
Michelene McKinney began volunteering with us in January 2024 and has quickly become an invaluable member of our team. Often found in the cat room, Michelene spends her time socializing with our feline friends and providing valuable behavioral input that helps us better understand and care for each cat. In just a few short months, Michelene progressed from Green level to Blue level, demonstrating her dedication and passion for the animals in our care. Her presence in the cat room always brings a sense of calm and joy, making it a good day whenever she is on the schedule. Thank you, Michelene, for your exceptional contributions and commitment to the Nashville Humane Association. We’re grateful to have you as part of our volunteer team!
May 2024 – Jenny Russo
Jenny has been a dedicated member of our volunteer family since 2022. With her infectious positivity and joyful spirit, Jenny brightens up our shelter and the lives of our dogs. Having earned her yellow level for dog walking, Jenny’s dedication extends far beyond walking our furry friends. She has also been a valuable asset in shelter operations and in our community outreach efforts. Jenny’s willingness to lend a helping hand at puppy parties has been instrumental in creating unforgettable experiences for both our partners and attendees. Her expertise in wrangling puppies and ensuring their safety has been invaluable, making each event a memorable and enjoyable experience for all involved. Jenny, we are incredibly grateful for your dedication, passion, and unwavering commitment to our cause. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of our animals!
April 2024 – Cassi Nunez
Cassi is one cool cat! Currently pursuing a PhD in electrical engineering, she generously volunteers her free time with us at the shelter. (We are approaching her one-year anniversary as a volunteer with NHA this month!) Cassi’s love for cats and dogs is evident, and she also has fostering experience. She is not one to shy away from a mess and is always a friendly face, describing herself as very extroverted. Cassi’s contributions extend far beyond animal care. From front desk assistance to providing development support by translating materials and assisting with events, she is a true asset to the shelter. Throughout her time with us, Cassi has exemplified both a willingness to help and a desire to share her gifts and talents as a volunteer at NHA. Cassie has achieved her green-level status with both cats and dogs and completed her purple puppy training. Most recently, she has impressed us all with her power washing skills, leaving the loading area looking better than ever! Thank you, Cassi, for your dedication and invaluable contributions to NHA!
March 2024 – Eve White
Eve White joined NHA in June 2023 and, in recent months, has become a core member of the Community Resource Center Team. Eve started out as a member of the Dog Care Team, walking dogs and spending time on dishes and laundry. She became most beloved by staff and volunteers, however, when she adopted her cat, Pip, from us. Pip, who has a malformed limb, has become the focus of Eve’s photography efforts, which she has generously shared with NHA staff in her communications. Eve has been steadfast in her support of the Community Resource Center, working with Sarah Friedel at People Loving Nashville and other human welfare events. Most recently, she also came in to work with one of our seasoned dog walkers to become more comfortable and capable with our resident dogs and offered up her services to update materials shared with new volunteers. In her efforts, Eve exemplifies both a willingness to learn and a desire to share her gifts and talents as a volunteer at NHA. Thank you, Eve, and yay for Pip!
February 2024 – Max Zydeck
Max Zydeck joined NHA as a volunteer just a few months ago but has already become beloved for his willingness to help wherever it’s needed in the shelter. Max came to NHA by way of Switzerland after his company relocated him to Nashville. Lucky for us, Max arrived here in Tennessee and went looking for a place to volunteer his time and talents. After attending his Shadow Day at the start of November, Max started volunteering regularly and then spent a lot of December here at the shelter helping during our busy season. While Max is officially a member of the Dog Care Team, he can often be found tackling a mound of dishes, folding clean laundry, or sorting the Donation Bins. His love for our resident dogs is obvious when he gets the time to spend with them, too. In addition, in December, Max explored ways for his company to get involved in the shelter. Thank you, Max, for supporting NHA in so many ways. We are thankful you found your way to us!
January 2024 – Julie Redwine
Julie Redwine joined NHA as a volunteer in November 2022 and has since become a beloved member of the Dog Care Team. Julie started out as a regular walker, coming in weekly to spend time with the dogs, and quickly moved up to Yellow and Blue. In addition to walking in the shelter, Julie has gone on lots of Doggie Dates with our Yellow and Blue dogs, taking them to local parks and greenways to give our dogs some time away from the shelter. As a Dog Care Team member, Julie has consistently shown a willingness to meet dogs where they are, learn what they need to feel safe and destress and spend lots of time gaining their trust. Her notes and videos from Doggie Dates have helped inform behavioral plans in-shelter, and she is often someone staff turns to when hoping to get to know a dog’s out-of-shelter personality better. In addition to walking, Julie has been a dedicated volunteer with our Feature Friday Event and, most recently, helped with our first post-COVID Pet Visitation at Abe’s Garden. Above all, Julie shows a genuine desire to learn and develop in her capacity with behavioral dogs and a commitment to the well-being and general welfare of residents here at NHA. The staff at NHA is grateful for your continued willingness to be part of the volunteer base here. Hurray, Julie!
