May Volunteer of the Month Shines Brightly Behind the Scenes

Jill Dowdy, the SPCA of Texas May Volunteer of the Month, is our behind-the-scenes superstar! She’s been working with the SPCA of Texas since September of 2021 and wouldn’t think of doing anything else.

“Jill focuses on all of our behind-the-scenes-needs like laundry and dishes, and even helps prep for our vaccine events prepping paperwork and drawing up vaccines,” wrote one of her nominators.

“She focuses on all of our behind-the-scenes needs, and even helps prep for our vaccine events prepping paperwork and drawing up vaccines,” wrote another nominator. “Jill focuses on the behind-the-scenes area and is not scared to get dirty. She makes sure the laundry room is always neat and tidy and helps in the Martin Clinic!”

Jill became involved with the SPCA of Texas because her parents “were always involved somehow with the SPCA,” she smiled. She loves volunteering because it makes her feel “very ‘squared away,’ competent and like a true humanitarian!”

What Jill brings to the SPCA of Texas is much more than the physical work she performs every week. Jill’s presence warms the hearts and lifts the spirits of everyone she encounters at the shelter.

“Jill is always a joy to have around and helps out at the best times!” wrote her nominator. “She always has a smile on her face and greets us with the sweetest attitude. Jill makes my mornings a whole lot better!”

“Jill has been coming since before I joined the volunteer team over a year and a half ago,” wrote another nominator. “You cannot help but smile when she walks through the door. She is so kind and always happy to help wherever she is needed.”

“She greets us with a hello and a smile, and it is always nice to see her in the shelter….She always comes in through that door with a big smile and good energy,” wrote others.

Jill wishes other people knew that volunteering with the SPCA of Texas “makes you feel really capable of doing new things and feels like such an accomplishment.”

What’s made the biggest impact on Jill since volunteering at the shelter is her getting to see how the shelter works behind the scenes and the many things the staff does to ensure the animals are happy and comfortable. “They know them by name and what each one needs to be content,” she smiled.

Asked what her favorite memory at the SPCA of Texas is, Jill responded, “When one of the kindergarteners I was subbing for used their word of the week to write, ‘Ms. Dowdy has empathy for animals.’”

Not one of us at the SPCA of Texas is surprised that the kids picked up on this charming attribute of Jill’s.