Do you have a hero or mentor in the animal welfare field—someone who inspired you or taught you the ropes? Who was it, and what made them so influential?

When we asked that question for our "Coffee Break" department, you flooded our inboxes with responses. We received so much feedback that only a fraction would fit into the magazine!

Here are some more of your answers:

Tell Us Your Thoughts!  Answer our next Coffee Break question If your response is chosen for publication, you will be entered into a drawing to win a free coffee break (valued at $50) for your organization.

Connie Diller is the most caring, compassionate person I've ever met. She always has at least 15 to 18 dogs in her house. These dogs are not in cages but have the run of her house. Some are foster, some are forever fosters which will always be there. She will not turn away a dog, no matter the problem. She even goes to the puppy mills that she has worked hard on getting closed and takes whatever they don't want or are getting ready to put down. As much as she dislikes the puppy mills, she loves the dogs and is there to help all she can. This is all done with love. And she does all this with many medical problems herself, and her husband was just let go from his job. This is truly a loving woman. She makes me want to be a better person and to help all animals I can.
—Michelle Jones, Foster Coordinator, Petite Paws Rescue, Franklin, Indiana

By her courage in the face of so many adversaries and for her brave steps in creating a movement to help people understand that dogs deserve better than to live life at the end of a chain or in a pen, Tamira Ci Thayne is my mentor and hero. Tami is the founder of Dogs Deserve Better (DDB), and I truly feel that she has gone above and beyond in her efforts to bring this issue to the front lines and get people involved. From taking initiative by speaking to the average person who had no idea that they had such a treasure imprisoned in their backyard, to traveling from coast to coast speaking on their behalf, she has dedicated her life and sacrificed much to spare them this miserable existence. Tami’s efforts have improved the lives of countless dogs who, without DDB, would still be languishing away alone and afraid.
—Marie Belanger, National rep coordinator, rescue coordinator, public liaison, Dogs Deserve Better, Marion, Indiana

My husband Marty is my animal welfare hero. Little did he realize how involved he would become in the animal welfare world when we first married 35 years ago. Since that time he has sacrificed countless evenings, weekends, and holidays so I could help care for the shelter animals, accompany our statewide task force on rescues, and respond to calls for disaster assistance. Marty remained home, caring for our family and animals while I spent several weeks in the field following Hurricane Katrina. He has welcomed countless special-needs foster animals into our home for up to three months at a time, assisted me with a variety of special-event projects, and drove miles out of his way to pick up an animal in need. Marty has rescued, treated, and rehabilitated hundreds of animals through his unwavering support and encouragement. He is a hero in every sense of the word.
—Linda Campbell, Behavior and Training Director, Humane Society of Missouri, St. Louis, Missouri

D'Ann Thompson of Country Pet Haven in Maryville, Mo., is one of the most devoted animal caretakers I have ever met. She was instrumental in assisting me to save over 150 dogs from a shelter [with a high euthanasia rate] in 2007-2008, and getting them either to rescue or adopted to their forever new homes. She deserves a commendation for her unselfish caring devotion to her animals and all animals in her care.
—Rita Naughton, Owner/Founder, ARK Animal Rescue Konnection, Phoenix, Arizona

The person who most inspired me is Elisabeth Colville, the former president of Volunteers for Animal Welfare. Through her influence I became a vegetarian (for humane reasons) and plunged deeply into animal rights and animal welfare. I had always been an animal lover, but Elisabeth opened my eyes to a lot of issues I had known nothing about. Until she became ill recently she was a tireless advocate for all animals.
—Frances Arnetta, President, Compassionate Action Inc., Selden, New York

Laurine Murtaugh is in her 70s and a 13-year volunteer at our shelter. Laurine comes every week and lists all our pets for the local newspaper and contacts all the breed rescues. Can't count how many "unadoptable" pets she shares her home and life with. Laurine broke her ankle [recently], and here she came on a walker! Her true love for both animals and people and her caring nature have kept me sane. She is an inspiration to all in our area.
—Kim Schoolcraft, Animal Services Manager, Galveston County Animal Shelter, Texas City, Texas

In Honor of Pallas Diaz, founder/executive director of Collier Spay Neuter Clinic (CSNC): I remember the night I was introduced to her for the first time. We were at the birthday party of a mutual friend. I couldn’t help but to stay focused on the conversation she was having with the person sitting next to me. I joined in, as the intense subject of animal welfare issues was also a concern of mine. Her contagious passion and heartfelt words spoke volumes. I knew at that moment her fierce determination would lead to success, and I wanted to be a part of her journey and help make a difference. We exchanged contact information, and here I stand before you a dedicated volunteer and a new board member. She has developed and created an organization that will continue on for many years. She has filled the organization with loyal, caring, dedicated and supportive volunteers that will continue to carry on our mission and help to develop future goals. She has dedicated board members that have a vision of the long-term benefits of such a well-developed organization and are anxious to see it grow and mature even further. We support her mission and what she stands for. She has gained the trust and support of local rescues, shelters, and members of our community. She has created an organization that will save the lives of thousands of animals while improving public health throughout our community. Her total dedication, energy, hard work, and motivation are overwhelming. If you look up the word “task master” in the dictionary you will see her picture. If you want to see the expression of joy on her face, tell her new volunteers have submitted their volunteer application forms and want to support our mission. If you want to hear her scream, don’t reply to one of her e-mails. If you want to see her smile, send in a huge donation. I am very grateful for the things I have learned from her, and she has inspired me to keep moving full steam ahead. She has courage: Courage is thinking big, aiming high, and shooting far. It’s taking a dream and doing anything, risking everything, and stopping at nothing to make it a reality. Our four-legged friends need our help, and you have provided the help they so desperately need. I want to thank her for leading and guiding us to where we are today. This is a tremendous accomplishment and I thank you for what you have done and what you will continue to do. Preventing the deaths by preventing the births has been our mission and now a reality. Very soon the Collier Spay Neuter Clinic will open its doors, and it will be a day to remember. To the past, present, and future, thank you so very much. You rock, girl!!
—Kelly Fox, Board Member/Volunteer, Collier Spay Neuter Clinic, Naples, Florida

A woman named Frances "Lulu" Montes lived on a dead-end street beside the L.A. River, just outside of Silver Lake, Calif. Her large lot was a dumping ground for unwanted dogs and hundreds of cats. This woman fed, vaccinated, spayed-neutered, fostered, and rehomed hundreds—if not thousands—of cats. She was a feral cat caretaker and a one-woman no-kill cat rescue before these terms were common. She continued her efforts with constant criticism from her family and neighbors. During the 1960s to 1990s, she and her local vet worked together to sterilize and care for the homeless pets dumped on her doorstep. I first learned to bottle-feed abandoned kittens from her. How to tame a feral cat. How to pill a cat. How to help nervous new mothers settle down and care for their kittens. How to make friends with abused and fearful dogs. How loving and wonderful those special-needs dogs and cats were, and how absolutely no life was unimportant. I was not allowed pets of my own growing up, so I loved to visit and help her at her various feeding stations. It was from her that I heard, and saw, the importance of spaying and neutering. I like to think that I am passionate in this field in part due to her early lessons. This one-woman cat sanctuary was my grandmother. When she crossed the Rainbow Bridge, she was greeted by an enormous pack of grateful furry companions. If I can make one-third the impact she did, I will be a successful sheltering professional.
—Anna Marie Rea, Executive Director, Humane Society of the White Mountains, Lakeside, Arizona

Andrea Ruplis is the most indefatigable, caring individual who is simply inspiring in her diligence to care for all the animals in our shelter. She has a full house of reptiles, dogs, cats, and children (!) to care for too and just never stops smiling or truly caring! She is a wonder woman!
—Meagan Rock, Manager, MSPCA, Boston, Massachusetts

You might wonder why a trainer would respond—I'm not in the shelter/rescue industry. But my mentor, Karen Fischer, taught me that by focusing on animal behavior in my classes, I could help ensure that my clients’ dogs would be able to stay in a "forever home." So, like Karen, I've adopted positive training techniques, coupled with a behavioral wellness protocol that teaches more than just "sit" or "stay." And, just as she taught me, I teach my clients that "what you allow, you teach." But, they also learn fun techniques that work, so that training does not have to be harsh, boring, or difficult. If more trainers had mentors like Karen, not only would they know how to train behaviors, they would know behavior!
—Anne Springer, Owner, Paws for Praise, Danvers, Massachusetts

Nina Chiotasso is our amazing, tireless community development person. She is in charge of our volunteer program, humane education, mobile adoption events, and some fundraising events. She also helps with caring for and treating sick shelter animals (as she is also getting her registered veterinary technician license via an online program.) Nina has brought a spirit of can-do, think outside the box, positive energy that is astounding. She (without any paid staff reporting to her) started a pet food pantry for low-income families, a doghouse building community effort, ran and organized our first "summer camp for young animal lovers," got local kids to paint murals on our kennels, increased our mobile adoption numbers over 50 percent (getting 96 animals placed in one two-day event!) and adopted a shelter pit bull and worked with her to become "good citizen" certified. The dog is now our mascot and goes to local schools. Nina inspires all of us to keep going when we're tired or discouraged.
—Gretchen Yost, Medical Director/Veterinarian, Espanola Valley Humane Society, Espanola, New Mexico

Sonya Kamp, assistant manager of the Richmond Animal Shelter, runs this operation five days a week and does everything—volunteer management, cleaning, helping the public, animal intake, and dealing with the toughest issues and people. Yet, Sonya always has a smile, and greets every person and animal with respect. From operations to reception, she inspires staff and volunteers to do their best and whatever job they are assigned—big or small and no matter how smelly.
—Christie Lagally, Education Coordinator, Richmond Animal Protection Society, Richmond, British Columbia

I can't single out just one volunteer at our small, rural shelter. We have Peg Cox, who works 10 hours minimum each of the three days she is there; Bonnie Hibberd, who, after placing rescues for just three months now places 77 dogs a month; Brenda Stinson, who has fostered 500 dogs, often very sick, at her house; Carol and Bill Morrison, who do an amazing job of organizing a Rolling Rescue program, sending 60 plus puppies to New York every month; and the two drivers, Jeff and Bob, who drive 13 hours nonstop to deliver our puppies safely. I cannot leave out Sue MacDuff, who takes photos to put on PetFinder; and Carrie Dean, who writes our Pet of the Week column; her mum Carol, who keeps up with the laundry and cleans up after everyone. And then there are our wonderful people like Cindy Klann, who raises so much of our needed donations, without which we could not function. With only two employees and over 700 animals coming in each month, these volunteers and many others give of their time and themselves to help our cats and dogs find their forever homes, or just make their lives at the shelter a little more comfortable.
—Sue Woodrup, Volunteer, Monroe County Animal Shelter, Madisonville, Tennessee

Molly Mednikow sold everything to move to Peru, where she now runs a successful and progressive animal welfare charity. Broad thinking led Molly to establish programs to coincide with animal rescue endeavors. Humane education for all ages, animal therapy, and veterinary volunteers add much to the CARES agenda, and despite flooding setbacks in 2009, CARES thrives with the aid of international support.
—Sarah Razmandi Taylor, Administrative Director, Amazon Community Animal Rescue, Education & Safety, Orlando, Florida

Of all our wonderful volunteers, grade-school age Jordon Coleman most inspires me. For years she has been asking for gifts for the animals instead of herself on her birthdays, she raises funds at special events, and volunteers regularly—even though she is highly allergic to pets and has to take medication in order to pet them. Her sweet face, stuffy allergic nose, and loving interaction with animals makes her philanthropy that much more endearing and inspirational.
—Kris King, Development Coordinator, Stafford Animal Shelter, Livingston, Montana

The animal placement coordinator at Richmond Animal Care and Control, Christy Hemsworth: Christy came to Richmond AC&C several years ago as a dedicated community member wanting to inspire positive change and improved conditions for the animals in the City of Richmond. She put those desires into action by becoming a volunteer with the division and worked tirelessly while supporting a full-time career and family to ensure the animals had the best of care, and people coming into the facility to adopt where welcomed and received exceptional customer service to ensure their visit was a memorable one. She inspires people to tell everyone they know that Richmond AC&C is the place to adopt. Five years later that exceptional volunteer took a pay cut and decided to follow her heart and agreed to take the position of placement coordinator for our division. Since Christy has joined us as a full-time employee she has helped to change the culture of our organization into an open, friendly, and welcoming experience for all who enter our doors, and has increased our placements in spite of staffing shortages and tough economic times for our community. Animal control divisions often struggle to be liked and accepted in a community, and I am thrilled to say that is not the case, thanks to Christy and the team, as anyone that walks through our doors feels the passion and commitment of these city workers!
—Jody Jones, Manager, Richmond AC&C, Richmond, Virginia

Tammy Hawley at the Humane Society of North Texas, who has been 110 percent helpful to me with my one foster dog when she is dealing with hundreds every day, and this is not the first time she has proven dedicated to what she does. Many times she steps up to help me just by giving advice. She is an amazing person, and I am proud to know her.
—Julia Lilly, Volunteer, Cowtown Loves Animal Shelter Pets, Fort Worth, Texas

Penny Rubel is an inspiration to everyone at the shelter and volunteers enormous amounts of her time. She cleans kennels on Saturdays and Sundays, gives vaccinations, transports animals to the vet, runs errands, and is the organizations treasurer. She is a jewel!!
—Betty Fendel, Volunteer Event Coordinator, Dubois Country Humane Society, Jasper, Indiana

Lisa Walthers is a volunteer for various animal welfare organizations and fully dedicates herself to helping homeless animals. Her house is a revolving door of foster dogs, offering refuge to all breeds and ages, from puppies to pit bulls. Her weekends are spent shuffling dogs to adoption events, vet appointments, and home visits. She volunteers in the Northern Virginia area for Dogs Deserve Better, Homeward Trails, and A Forever Home—just to name a few. Lisa also opens her home and her heart to the occasional cat, rabbit, and guinea pig when other rescue groups are overloaded. I am forever grateful to Lisa, as she fostered my dog for several months before I adopted him! Lisa is truly a friend to the animals!
—Elizabeth Kline, Area Representative, Dogs Deserve Better, Arlington, Virginia

I am inspired by Howard Tessler, who is in charge of our outreach/adopt-a-thon program at the shelter. His love and dedication to the animals is an example of a true humanitarian for the animal cause. He works many days and long hours raising donations for the shelter and trying to get as many animals as possible adopted. His compassion is boundless. His mission is focused on getting as many dogs out of the shelter and into loving homes. I wish we had more "Howards" at our shelter, and I applaud his compassion and tireless effort to achieve his mission.
—Maureen Gearst, Lead Volunteer-TLC Program, Flagler Humane Society, Palm Coast, Florida

Grace Konosky is the owner and founder of German Shepherd Rescue in Los Angeles. There are now several such rescues in L.A., many of which are offshoots of her organization. A woman almost into her ninth decade, Grace works tirelessly for the dogs in her care, often putting their own needs ahead of her own. She lives modestly and has emptied her bank account many times over to provide whatever care the shepherds need, including tens of thousands of dollars of medical bills sometimes on just one dog. (Surprising that her vets don't seem to be quite as magnanimous!) She is one of the few people in California with a wild animal permit and also takes in wolves and wolf hybrids. I've seen this woman hauling and lifting 40-pound bags of food and crates filled with cans of dog food. While other elderly women (she would balk at the term) are sitting at home complaining about their growing old, she continues to work tirelessly to save the lives of injured, sometimes abused and neglected, elderly or just plain abandoned dogs. She often provides safe no-kill harbor, when she has room, even to those that nobody else will take due to their advanced years. She is an absolute angel. [Recently] her own home, a modest trailer, burnt to the ground. Two of her own dogs passed away since, including one who suffered severe burns over most of his body. I never heard a word from Grace, but overheard her softly weeping after Bridgette's death. And still, she pushes forward, saving lives one dog at a time. She is an angel.
—Janai Ami, Volunteer, German Shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles, Burbank, California

Inspiration comes in many forms. In my case it is in the quiet dedication of Steve and Vicki Mielke, who come to our shelter every day to socialize and give loving assurance to 75 dogs from two puppy mills who recently arrived at our shelter. The Mielkes are faithful in their service, coming six days a week to share love and caring with these dogs that need to gain confidence and learn to trust the humans who interact with them. Watching them with these dogs shows me that love and kindness does make a difference and can rehabilitate the dogs in spite of the severe abuse and neglect the dogs have suffered. Thanks to the dedication of Steve and Vicki, these neglected puppy mill dogs are able to be adopted into loving forever homes. Steve and Vicki are an inspiration not only to me but to the entire staff of Fox Valley Humane Association.
—Kathy Schuessler, Community Programs Coordinator, Fox Valley Humane Association, Greenville, Wisconsin