#billfoundation

Seven Years of Bill Foundation As Family -Bonnie Raskin (Volunteer Coordinator)

I found out about the Bill Foundation seven years ago. Their incredible people and dogs have kept me around ever since. 

My family wanted a friend for our street rescue dog, Jub-Jub. I had heard about the Bill Foundation through word of mouth, at our vet’s office and by the proprietor of a local pet food store—all glowing comments. One Sunday my husband and I went to a Bill Foundation adoption event and fell instantly in love with a pitt bull mix puppy named Milo. We completed the application, passed the home visit and Milo came to live with us. We worked with a trainer and did all the suggested steps we  to integrate Milo into our household, but after six months it became clear that Jub-Jub was not going to mix well with Milo, so with much sadness, tears and heartache we returned Milo to the Bill Foundation. Instead of a lecture on what horrible dog owners we were and reprimands tinged with guilt, Bill Foundation co-founder Jo Forman took Milo back with a hug—to both me and Milo- and told us that Milo would be fine and to please let her help us find a better doggy fit for our family. 

The happy ending is that Milo did find his forever home, as did I— at the Bill Foundation. I was so impressed with the handling of my “failure” and the great people who so eagerly and enthusiastically  gave up every other Sunday to volunteer at the Bill Foundation adoption events that I signed on as a volunteer  and have never left. My Bill Foundation dog, Lester, has been with us for five years.

The energy, integrity and delight our volunteers put into every adoption event and the other activities we do as the Bill Foundation contribute to make us an organization that succeeds. Of course we have wonderful dogs, but we have INCREDIBLE humans, too. Our volunteers, fosters and administrators are united in our mission to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home ALL of the dogs who become our charges. And this is for life.

Our dogs look forward to every other Sunday as a playdate when they can hang out with their canine pals. The atmosphere  at every adoption is positive, happy and, well,  tail wagging. People who visit us see firsthand that every Bill dog won the doggy lottery: they are out of the shelter system and will remain in loving foster care until we find their forever homes. As the volunteer coordinator, I love meeting people-- our volunteers and visitors-- as diverse as the dogs we rescue.

The Bill Foundation corps are united in our shared desire to help facilitate happy endings and new beginnings.  It is so much fun to be doggy matchmakers, because every adoption event is different, and so often people come to see one dog and fall madly, passionately in love with a completely different dog—who rescues who indeed!! These are matches made not in heaven but through the love, care and focus on the part of a team of people who are dedicated to each and every one of our Bill Foundation dogs and adopters.

As a full disclosure organization, we pride ourselves on being informed volunteers and work constantly to be educated and up to date on all matters concerning the care and wellbeing of our dogs. We also work with a vast network of specialists—veterinarians, trainers and shelter care professionals.

Wait, you mean we get to watch the #PuppyBowl AND the #RescueBowl?!?! Oh man, Sunday is going to be the best day EVER!