LINN ROTH & JEAN MARTINELLI QUALITY AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE AWARD
Celest Alves, Lead Certified Veterinary Technician
Linn Roth, a Board member, and Jean Martinelli created this award to honor an employee whose dedication and service enables DCHS to achieve its mission, according to Executive Director Pam McCloud Smith. "Linn and Jean seek to recognize those employees whose work not only lifts animals and the shelter, but also enhances the world and our community," Pam adds.
Linn told attendees, "Jean and I are so proud to be associated with DCHS and all its wonderful staff and volunteers. We are truly supportive of its mission and pleased to present this award to someone who really personifies all the good that you and this organization do.
"Our awardee received a very strong recommendation," Linn adds.
Staff and volunteers submitted nominations for the award.
Linn cited some of the quotes in the nomination that best showcased why Celest was chosen to receive the award: “As a leader she strikes the fine balance between providing optimal care for the animals and clients we serve while also ensuring her staff has a manageable and achievable workload. She treats every animal with care and respect… She takes this same approach to the people she interacts with... Everyone is treated kindly."
And, Linn says, "Perhaps most importantly, the recommendation states 'she never loses sight of our mission of helping people help animals.' We are especially pleased that Celest Alves is the awardee for 2023!"
Celest was surprised! In fact, she was told someone else in our Animal Medical Services department would be receiving an award during the Annual Meeting and she was there to show support for them.
Congratulations Celest!
STAFF RECOGNITION:
Five Years
Laurie Ringquist
Amy Good
Mindy Kline
Shelbi Bernard
Melinda Wright
Vicki Fox
Sarah Hudson
Twenty Years
Doug Brown
Joan Johnson
Twenty-Five Years
Sara Hoven
VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION:
Top 10 Volunteers by Hours of Service
10. Ashley Pleasant-Ryan, 558 hours
9. Lily Babler, 559 hours
8. Chris Cerutti, 575 hours
7. Kenzie Korpela and Bernice, 659 hours
6. Chelsea White, 694 hours
5. Linda Gilsdorf, 765 hours
4. Bill Schloemer, 808 hours
3. Jacki Hershberger, 811 hours
2. Karen Tolle, 1,129 hours
1. Karrie Frantz, 1,259 hours
Top 5 Youth Volunteers by Hours
5. Elsie Johnson, 65 hours
4. Carly Goodlund, 81 hours
3. Ellie Meng, 82 hours
2. Izzy Serio, 87 hours
1. Annika Crabb, 98 hours
Wildlife Volunteer of the Year: Amy Liem
Wildlife Intern of the Year: Geneva Kinzer
Administrative Support Volunteer of the Year – Volunteer Department: Ellen Riese
Adoption Center Volunteer of the Year: Alex Beideck
Individual/Special Recognition – Barkins: Carley Peich Kiesling
Pet Food Pantry Assistant Volunteer of the Year: Bill Schloemer
Reception Volunteer of the Year: Mary Bachhuber
Administrative Support Volunteer of the Year – Development Department: Sue Haeffner
Education Volunteer of the Year:Michelle Lammers
Event Volunteers of the Year: Deb Schieve and Judy Hughes
Independent Fundraiser of the Year: Ian’s Pizza
Photography Volunteer of the Year: Sarah Ebert Lee
Media Partner of the Year: Audacy
AMS Volunteer of the Year: Karee Anderson
Canine Behavior Team Volunteer of the Year: Alex Letourneau
Canine Companion Volunteers of the Year: Chelsea White
Carestaff Assistant Volunteer of the Year: Terry Ryan
Critter Cuddler Volunteer of the Year: Izzy Serio and Cari Serio
Feline Friend Volunteer of the Year: Jan Kinar
Cat Foster Parent Volunteer of the Year: Marian Kontek
Critter Foster Parent Volunteer of the Year: Tessa Collins
Dog Foster Parent Volunteer of the Year: Chelsea White
Ringworm Treatment Program Volunteer of the Year: Clara McGlynn
Thrift Store Volunteer of the Year: Bill Schloemer
Committee Volunteer of the Year – Garden: Carol Enseki
Veterinary Support of the Year: Dr. Chloe Ciarrocchi, Dr. Anna Martel, and Dr. Laurie Peek
Individual/Special Recognition: 25 Years of Service Don Johnson
Rufus Award:
Cannoli the dog
Each year since 2006, staff nominate an animal that has been through our doors for the Rufus Award, named after a special dog that captured hearts when he entered the shelter in 2003.
This year's recipient is Cannoli.
Cannoli came to DCHS in November 2021 after he was found in a crate in an abandoned apartment. He could barely stand or walk and was severely dehydrated, underweight, and was covered in sores and open wounds. After a week of extensive care by our veterinarians in the shelter, Cannoli was moved to a foster home to continue his recovery, according to Pam.
"The more his foster parents got to know Cannoli, the more they adored him!" Pam says. "When he wasn’t playing, eating, or sleeping, he wandered the house in search of snuggles."
In February 2022, Cannoli was healed enough for his next adventure: finding his new family.
"Over the following months, he was adopted a few times. But as much as those families wanted to give exuberant Cannoli the very best life, he struggled to settle into his new surroundings and was returned each time," Pam says. "He really needed that special someone to come along to give him everything he needed. That someone was James Cook.
"After 269 days spent in our care, Cannoli found his forever home with James on August 14, 2022, and, as you can see, they’ve been thriving together since," Pam says.
When James was informed about Cannoli being the winner of the Rufus Award, he wrote, "Wow, this is wonderful!"
James says Cannoli has been doing great. "He settled in and has been a big bundle of love. He's completely spoiled by my partner and my best friend who basically both treat him like he's their dog. We still go out on big walks every day. He still charms everybody he meets and he loves them as much as they love him."
James adds, "I'm honestly grateful to everyone at the humane society and all the work you do, especially as if it weren't for DCHS I would never have found Cannoli and I really think he and I were meant to find each other so thank you all so much."
As you can see from the photos below, staff and volunteers were very happy to see Cannoli and hear how well he is doing with his family.
