LINN ROTH & JEAN MARTINELLI QUALITY AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Paige Pederson
The Linn Roth & Jean Martinelli Quality and Service Excellence Award is a special new award. Linn, a DCHS Board Member, and Jean wanted to recognize DCHS employees whose work not only lifts animals and DCHS, but also enhances the world and our community, according to DCHS Executive Director Pam McCloud Smith.
Paige, Wildlife Operations Supervisor at DCHS's Wildlife Center, received numerous nominations for the award.
"Paige is always working on projects related to improvements at the Wildlife Center - whether it's applying for grants, helping figure out how to improve pens for the wild ones in care, or organizing, she's always making improvements to DCHS's Wildlife Center," says one nomination.
"Paige is always thinking up new ways to make things better for the animals and the people taking care of the animals," another nomination reads.
"Paige is always there to answer questions, provide insight, and help. She always goes above and beyond what is required and always with a calm attitude in the most challenging situations," another nomination says.
"Paige is always very kind and steady in her approach to working with animals and all the volunteers at the Wildlife Center," says one nomination.
Congratulations Paige!
STAFF RECOGNITION:
5 Years
Kenzie Korpela
Michelle Kuyoth
Sarah Karls
Deidra Topel
Mike Sullivan
Nikki Darga
10 Years
Jackie Sandberg
Randy Viney
Leah Hartman
15 Years
Dawn Sands
Beth Rodgers
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION:
Top 11 Volunteers by Hours of Service
559 Allison Forsythe
560 Emma Lewandowski
585 Patrick Wang
588 Renee Rice
603 Bill Schloemer
620 Linda Gilsdorf
769 Dani Gatica
801 Uri Donnett
874 Karen Tolle
908 Laura Strimpel
1120 Karrie Frantz
Top 5 Youth Volunteers by Hours
42 Anika Kaehny-Walz
73 Ellie Meng
84 Julia Flynn
99 Izzy Serio
134 Carly Goodlund
Wildlife Volunteer of the Year:
Dee Czarniecki
Administrative Support Volunteer of the Year – Volunteer Department:
Terri Regner
Adoption Center Volunteer of the Year:
Donna Slotten
Individual/Special Recognition – Barkins:
Marina Haan
Reception Volunteer of the Year:
Stacy Newman
Administrative Support Volunteer of the Year – Development Department:
Ronelle Wedig
Education Volunteer of the Year:
Sue Rogers
Event Volunteer of the Year:
Chelsea White
Independent Fundraiser of the Year:
Putts for Pups
Photography Volunteer of the Year:
Jerry Murphy
Media Partner of the Year:
Cats and Dogs of Madison
AMS Volunteer of the Year:
Anne Marie McPartlin
Canine Behavior Team Volunteer of the Year:
April Johnson
Canine Companion Volunteers of the Year:
Gail Merkel
Gerald (Jerry) Meslar
Carestaff Assistant Volunteer of the Year:
Megan Paulson
Critter Cuddler Volunteer of the Year:
Connie Lueck
Feline Friend Volunteer of the Year:
Lisa Mettauer
Cat Foster Parent Volunteer of the Year:
Ashley Pleasant-Ryan
Critter Foster Parent Volunteer of the Year:
Joan Johnson
Dog Foster Parent Volunteer of the Year:
Kristine Engel
Ringworm Treatment Program Volunteer of the Year:
Dan Haeffner
Thrift Store Volunteer of the Year:
Karen Tolle
Individual/Special Recognition
Dr. Sandra Frank
Sue Sells
Karrie Frantz
Rufus Award:
Louise (fka Beverly) the cat
Since 2006, DCHS staff select one animal out of the thousands that come through DCHS's doors in need of help to receive the "Rufus Award." The award was named after Rufus, a special dog that entered our shelter in 2003.
This year's award recipient, Louise the cat, first came to DCHS as 4 weeks old on September 8, 2021. She was suffering from severe medical issues with her front leg and paw, including a large infected wound under her right leg, and she had lice throughout her coat. Our Animal Medical Services team quickly deduced that her right leg would need to be amputated, but surgery at her age and size was risky.
Luckily, Louise's body was responding to treatment that allowed her to spend time in foster care until she was an appropriate surgery weight.
"Soon after arriving at her foster home, Louise’s friendly and outgoing personality really started to shine," says Pam. "It didn’t take more than a day before she was zooming around her playpen and chasing toys."
Once Louise reached an appropriate weight, surgery was performed to amputate her leg. She then went back to her foster home to recover and rest. "It didn’t take long for Louise to bounce back, quite literally, from her amputation," Pam says.
A friend of the foster parent was interested in adopting her first cat, but her spouse was very allergic to cats and dogs. "Thanks to recent advances in allergy therapy, Bug and her husband, Alex, were able to welcome sweet little Louise into their family," Pam told the crowd.
"Louise has brought so much joy to the lives of her new family," says Pam.
Her new family lovingly reports that “Louise is among the most perfect of cats. Every night, Louise tucks me into bed by laying on my chest and purring for about five minutes before laying in her favorite spot next to my bed. After her 7:00 am auto-feeder meal has been devoured, she wakes me up likewise, getting love and attention for about an hour until I finally leave bed.”
"We are very proud to have been able to save Louise and give her the happy ending she deserves," Pam adds.
