by Jenay Pressly | Apr 22, 2019 | Blog, Leadership Spotlight, PAWesome People |
“Kevin has dedicated his Sunday’s to DPA for years! As our Rescue Assistant Director Kevin helps lead the Rescue Team by example and goes to Dallas Animal Services almost every single Sunday to evaluate new dogs for our program, perform dog tests, train new Rescue Team volunteers, and basically terrify shy dogs with his giant height. We always joke we can tell which photos Kevin took during evals based on how high up from the dogs they’re taken. Kevin provides ample information, adorable photos and videos, and recommendations around dogs he meets to ensure DPA sticks to our mission of focusing on pulling the animals most in need into our foster program. We couldn’t be more thankful for his dedication week after week as he keeps going back for more puppy kisses so we can save more lives!” -Jessica W. DPA’s Vice President of Animal Operations What does your role within DPA involve? What do you oversee within the organization? I am the Rescue Assistant Director and an evaluator for Dallas Animal Services. As an evaluator I go to the shelter to identify animals in need and do initial evaluations of the dogs temperament and behavior so that we can then market to potential fosters. I also help train new rescue volunteers, place “tags” on animals, and help with communication between the shelter and DPA. What is your professional background? I am a Directional Drilling Well Planner for a local Oil & Gas company How long have you been involved with the organization? I have been with DPA for about 4.5 years now–which is crazy! What drives you to...
by Jenay Pressly | Apr 22, 2019 | Blog, PAWesome People |
“I am so excited to recognize PK and Sneha as Fosters of the Month! PK and Sneha joined the DPA foster team last year, and they dove in feet first! PK and Sneha are incredibly passionate and ready to help any dog in need, but they are also knowledgeable and responsible. It can be really difficult to say “no” to a dog that is in need, but might not be a good fit for your family or lifestyle. I really respect that PK and Sneha take time to visit the shelter to meet and spend a little time with the dogs in need so that they can find a foster that truly works for their home. PK and Sneha have also overcome some really challenging obstacles. The rescue world is often full of the unexpected, and PK and Sneha have embraced this fact with many of their fosters. They took in two emotionally shut down, bonded sisters, Pearl and Lulu last year. Sadly, Pearl came down with distemper. PK and Sneha took her to many vet visits, transferring her back and forth from the ER to our regular clinic, visiting her and bringing her comfort while she was hospitalized. Sadly, Pearl did not make it. Lulu is still thriving and looking for her forever home! Even after the loss of Pearl, PK and Sneha wanted to open their hearts and homes to another dog in need. They are currently fostering Robin, a friendly, happy-go-lucky but incontinent lab who hobbles and limps due to an old and significant spinal injury. They have been absolutely amazing, again embracing the unexpected obstacles...
by Jenay Pressly | Mar 20, 2019 | Blog, Leadership Spotlight, PAWesome People |
This month’s Leadership Spotlight is the one and only Jessica Weinstein. Jessica is DPA’s Vice President of Animal Operations AKA the “do-er” of all, the backbone of DPA!’s Animal Operations, and an inspiration to all of us who work with her. Jessica’s spotlight this month is best highlighted from those who directly work with her. We can all learn something from Jessica–whether it is how to be the light in rescue work, how to go all in and not look back, and ultimately how to never give up. Thank you Jessica for all you do!! “Jessica is the foundation of Animal Operations. She is the mastermind behind many of the innovative programs we have, and is the ultimate “do-er”; she takes a dream or a small idea and has the motivation and organization to turn it into reality. She has worked her tail off for years, dedicating thousands upon thousands of hours to the animals, the fosters, and volunteers of Dallas Pets Alive. She pours her heart and soul into this organization and truly is the glue that holds us all together. Navigating this crazy world of rescue can be so emotionally challenging, and I know I’m not alone when I say I would be lost without her support, guidance, and friendship!” -Allison B., DPA’s Medical Director “Jessica has a heart big enough to save animals and a mouth smart enough to deal with all the BS that comes with it. She is the glue that holds DPA together. We are so thankful for her and her hard work.” -Camden R., DPA’s Transport AD “Jessica is the heart and...
by Jenay Pressly | Mar 20, 2019 | Blog, PAWesome People |
“Emily has been a foster and volunteer with DPA since even before my time. She is a whiz when it comes to numbers and spent a few years managing DPA’s accounting before making the switch over to the foster team. This is where I have gotten the chance to really know Emily and learn that her heart is just as large as her brain. She goes above and beyond as a foster representative to make sure our fosters are feeling supported. She has even given up a free Saturday to take her foster’s animals to adoption events when they couldn’t make it–a couple of those puppies met their FURever families at that event, too! This sort of above and beyond mentality is something that comes naturally to Emily who is a repeat foster herself. She is superwoman who has done it all! Bully breeds? Absolutely. Medical issues? Not a problem. Pregnant mom and nursing puppies? Bring it on!Emily brings so much value to our team and we are SO fortunate to have her!” -Steiner Steiner, DPA!’s Foster Director Current role at DPA: Currently I serve as a foster parent, foster representative, adoption event lead, supervise the accounting and tax process, and help with special events such as our upcoming Pup Crawl and our Gala to be held in the fall. I have worn many hats at DPA at various times including Adoptline Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, Volunteer Director, Fundraising Director, and VP of Administration. My day job has gotten more involved so I have had to cut back a little on my volunteer time, but I still do all that...
by Jenay Pressly | Feb 19, 2019 | Blog, Leadership Spotlight, PAWesome People |
“Stacey has been volunteering with DPA for almost 5 years now and I cannot stress enough the impact she has been able to make for our animals and our adopters. She has dedicated her spare time to ensuring our adoption policies and processes are in line with industry standards while providing excellent customer service to our adopters and placing animals in their best fitting FURever homes. She’s helped us grow as an organization from adopting out under 100 dogs a year to now adopting out hundreds of animals, including cats, pigs, chickens, and even a couple horses. We’re so lucky to have such a compassionate and driven leader!” -Jessica Weinstein, DPA!’s Vice President of Animal Operations What does your role within DPA involve? What do you oversee within the organization? I am the DPA! Adoptions Director. I oversee the entire Adoption Team, I supervise 16 volunteers that help save animals’ and peoples’ lives everyday. What is your professional background? I am a hairstylist. How long have you been involved with the organization? I have been volunteering with DPA! for 5 years. What drives you to dedicate your time to DPA? I absolutely love saving animals lives. The adoption team volunteers’ passion and dedication keep me proud and dedicated myself. I have met some amazing people through DPA. I also have adopted both my sweet boys, Murphy and Brody, from Dallas Pets Alive! On average, how many hours per week do you volunteer? On average I volunteer several hour, I would say anywhere from 20 to 25 hours a week. Tell us a fun fact about yourself. My husband and...
by preview | Feb 18, 2019 | Blog |
Blog by Allison Brandon, DPA Medical Director Much of what we do in rescue is exhilarating. Our work is meaningful, and we see the difference we make in countless lives every single day. But rescue work can also be heartbreaking and downright ugly. We choose to see the good in all things. Always allowing the good to outweigh the bad is how you survive working rescue. Pearl’s story is a sad one, but it’s also one of the most uplifting because it brought out the very best in people. Pearl and her sister LuLu were surrendered to the shelter by their owner just before Christmas. These sisters were obviously a bonded pair and not in the best place physically or mentally, becoming especially shut down in the shelter environment. Both were heartworm positive. They were skinny. Pearl was pregnant. We cannot speculate about what their life was like prior to arriving to the shelter, but we know they were both terrified when they got there. Our evaluators visited them many times; they spent time with these sisters in their kennel, got them out in the yard, and began to earn their trust. We found an incredible foster family for them and they were able to spend a week in their foster home, lying on comfy beds, exploring a backyard, and getting plenty of treats and belly rubs as they slowly began to trust humans again. Pearl was the more confident of the two but deep down she was the one who needed us the most. Pearl was struggling with eating, and she was already too skinny to begin with. She also developed...
