The Wood County Humane Society Board honored a number of community members at its annual meeting
Thursday.
A Special Achievement Award was presented to "the Veteran Dog Walkers," a group of highly
committed individuals who have each walked dogs for more than two years at the shelter. The six
dedicated people who have gone above and beyond the volunteer expectations are Rich Douglas, Christina
Gerken, Lynne Helm, Glenda Schwartz, Matt Skivers and Greg Wark.
The Minnibelle Conley Community Recognition awards were presented to Marco’s Pizza, which distributes
flyers on pizza boxes, highlighting an activity or event of the humane society; and BG Rental and Sales,
which was instrumental in helping the WCHS weather the huge rescue case of February 2007 when 122
animals came into shelter at the same time.
Connie Donald received the Ellen Fuller Volunteer of the Year Award due to her contribution of thousands
of hours to the care of the shelter dogs. For the past 17 years, Donald has walked dogs at the shelter
four mornings a week. During this time, she has helped to socialize hundreds of dogs and served as a
mentor to the volunteer dog walkers over the years.
Also honored as exemplary Volunteers of the Year were Don and Terri Valtin who collect the WCHS donation
boxes from around the county, using their own gas money. They have been doing this for several years and
the money brought in from the collections aids the society a great deal.
The Foster Home of the Year Award was presented to Linda and Frank Brownell for their untiring devotion
to two severely physically damaged dogs which needed extensive care in a loving home environment. Linda
Brownell reported that both dogs are doing exceptionally well.
Sandy Lepper was honored as the Wanda Loomis Humanitarian of the Year for her extra efforts as a
supporter of the humane society. She is instrumental in providing food to individuals caring and feeding
colonies of stray/feral cats in the community. Lepper was also honored for all of the hours spent on her
weekly trips transporting cats and dogs to spay and neuter appointments.
The Wood County Humane Society outgoing board President Lauri Hardison thanked the entire Wood County
community for assistance in 2008 with donations, volunteer time and in-kind support. A special thank you
was extended to the businesses which provided refreshments for the meeting: Squeaker’s, SamB’s and Myles
Street Bakery. The guest speaker, Patrolman David Smith, of the Perrysburg Township Police Department
and his canine officer, Bodo, educated and entertained the audience.