04/08/2026
"It makes a difference when you feel valued... You know, respected and needed. You want to come back." -- Dolores, ARC Volunteer
Since 2017, Dolores has been a caring and dedicated volunteer with Animal Rescue Corps. She shows up almost every day to the ARC Rescue Center outside of Nashville, TN. She helps with whatever is needed, from cleaning and laundry to socializing and walking dogs, to helping with transports and more.
Dolores now shares her life with her 13-pound senior rescue dog, Gretchen, and she says volunteering is her "fix to get to be with big dogs." She also loves the people of ARC. She says, "It makes a difference when you feel valued... you know, respected and needed. You want to come back."
And most of all, Dolores loves those remarkable moments when the most fearful animals learn to trust, find their confidence, and start to let their personalities shine.
One of her favorite transformations was a fearful mastiff mix who arrived so afraid that she wouldn't even leave her kennel. Day by day, Dolores spent time with her, watching this shut-down dog slowly start to heal and trust. The first time this dog gained the courage to step out with her caretaker, Dolores remembers thinking, "This is wonderful, what progress. I loved watching that in her.... I came almost every day for her. My treat was to get her outside again. When she was here, we had snow and I brought her out to the pen. She was just so joyful... she was just so sweet and good."
It was a magical moment for Dolores and this rescued dog who, with the patience and support of caring volunteers like Dolores, was able to experience pure happiness again... from "being so shut down to go into that moment of just complete joy, romping in the snow.”
Happy Volunteer Appreciation Month to Dolores and volunteers everywhere.
ARC volunteers and donors love hard, give big, change lives. 🐾💙🐾
