Submitted by The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor

The Animal Protection Society – Friday Harbor is pleased to announce Allison Herkey as the APS-FH Volunteer of the Month for October 2023!

Allison became a Dog Walker Volunteer with the shelter in April 2023, but her journey with APS-FH actually began in November 2022. Back then she was living in Indiana, but having recently accepted a new job, was in the midst of planning her relocation to the San Juan Islands. In her research, she found and began following our social media channels, and in doing so, read about and fell in love with APS-FH shelter dogs, Willow and Stuart.

Willow and Stuart are a pair of bonded siblings, senior dogs who came to APS-FH after being surrendered in Texas when their person went into hospice care. They were unfortunately having a hard time finding their next person/home and were at our shelter for many months. Over those months of waiting, Allison prepared for her move, all the while following along with Willow and Stuart’s story.

Fast forward to February 2023, Allison was here with her parents, and seeing the island for the first time! Would you even believe their first stop off the ferry was our shelter? How freakin’ special is that! That day they were given a tour, which only solidified in person what Allison had been feeling from afar: that APS-FH and Willow & Stuart were the perfect fit for her. After moving here, she began volunteering in April 2023, and she adopted Willow and Stuart in July 2023! Ever since, all of us at APS-FH (both human and canine), and of course, Willow and Stu, have felt so lucky to know her.

For Allison, her dog-walking volunteer shift is one of the highlights of her week. She knew from the very beginning that she wanted to prove herself as a volunteer who could be trusted to walk all the dogs, even the more fearful ones; after quickly going through all required training, and showcasing her capabilities, Allison is now a volunteer who does just that!