Volunteer >> Volunteer Spotlight

Lisa Ireland

by Karen Brinkman

When it comes to volunteer work, Lisa Ireland has worn many hats for Our Companions.  Helpline, foster mom, special events, posters, office work- she’s done it all.  So what’s her favorite mission?  Being a foster mom!

After 5 years with Our Companions, Lisa has plenty of experience with fostering dogs, cats, even a rabbit.  “I fall in love with every one, I really do.  They say that when you have fosters, every foster that leaves takes a chunk of your heart, some just take bigger pieces than others,” says Lisa. 

And some foster pets she’ll never forget- take Sam, a Chihuahua mix that came to Our Companions because he bit someone.  Sam had what Lisa describes as “munchkin syndrome.”  “He thought he was a 120 pound Rottie and was prepared to kick everyone’s butt in the entire household,” she says.  Rather than give up on him, Lisa took him to canine college and helped get him under control.  Sam now lives in a loving home in Massachusetts, and Lisa gets pictures and updates from his adoptive family.  She says it helps to know how they’re doing so many years later, it gives her faith that she did the right thing.

Sharing the foster parent responsibilities with Lisa is Jake, her chocolate Lab and best friend of 12 years.  She says that Jake has helped with the transition of her foster dogs, taking them back down to “doggie level.”  Jake is joined by a year-old cat named Iggy, a recent addition to the family. 

Lisa also does work with CT SafePet, one of Our Companions’ many programs that are aimed at addressing the root causes of pet homelessness.  CT SafePet provides animal care for those without means to take care of their pets in times of crisis. Offering veterinary and foster home care for up to 60 days, CT SafePet enables pet owners to enter emergency shelters, residential treatment settings, or receive medical care in places where they are unable to care for their animals.  “It gives you time to get on your feet again, or find new housing where you can go with your pet, where everybody’s safe.  It’s important that the animals have a safe place to go as well,” explains Lisa.

Lisa’s heart has been touched by many foster pets, and they all have similar stories- whether it be Sebastian, the Rottweiler mix who came to OC from a neglect situation, or Miss Cotton, a kitty found in a crack house, they are all “rags to riches” stories.  And that’s why she’s still doing it.  “Everyone that’s with Our Companions is wonderful, and it’s a wonderful organization, the programs are right-on, and you should get involved because even if you can’t do a lot, it still goes a long way.”
 
We are grateful to Lisa for her many years of service to Our Companions.  Whether she’s manning the help line, sharing Our Companions’ mission at a special event, or providing foster care for an abandoned dog, it takes a generous and compassionate person to help Our Companions succeed.  Everything Lisa does moves us one step closer to eliminating pet homelessness in Connecticut.  Keep up the great work, Lisa!

Previous Volunteer Spotlights

May 2010 - Regina Radzicki
April 2010 - Veteran Volunteers
February 2010- Mandy Wieting
December 2009 - Pat McGuiness
October 2009 - Risa Davidson
August 2009 - Deb Soricelli
June 2009 - Henry Petrofsky
March 2009 - Jacquie Ro
Dec 2008 - Gretchen Labau
Sept 2008 Todd Johnston
July 2008 Lyn Garson
May 2008 Daryl Carbone
March 2008 Sue King
Jan 2008 Jon Phillips