MANSFIELD — Susan Kochheiser prefers to remain out of the highlight.
Kochheiser spends her days working exhausting behind the scenes on the Richland County Dog Warden & Adoption Centera county-operated shelter on Home Road.
But she couldn’t cover a girlish grin as her fellow volunteers, canine warden’s employees and native officers gathered to have fun her.
Kochheiser was one among eight recipients statewide chosen for the 2024 ServeOhio Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism.
Staff members, representatives from the shelter board and different volunteers all wrote letters of nomination.
Sarah Short, volunteer engagement program officer with ServeOhiomentioned the “sheer number and quality” of nominations made Kochheiser stand out.
“Not only is the work that Susan is doing impacting the organization, but also fellow volunteers and fellow community members, which is just always incredible to see,” Short mentioned.
Other volunteers described Kochheiser as a good friend and chief.
“She is definitely a hero, I think, to all of us,” mentioned April Friend.
“She taught me everything that I know. Her heart is extremely huge and so pure and I just love her so much.”
Volunteer Donna Boyette referred to as Kochheiser “selfless.”
“She will stay here until every dog has been walked,” Boyette mentioned.
“She clears paths for the dogs in the snow so they have somewhere to walk for the ones whose feet hurt them.”
Dog Warden Missy Houghton mentioned Kochheiser is the one behind the photographs and descriptions on the shelter’s Petfinder pagewhich shows dogs available for adoption.
She additionally takes it upon herself to ensure each canine will get a walk every day.
“She’s here seven days a week — rain, shine, snow. It doesn’t matter,” Houghton mentioned. “Sometimes she’ll be here until six o’clock at night walking dogs.”
For Kochheiser, it’s a labor of affection.
“It’s just a passion,” she mentioned. “You look into the dogs’ eyes and it’s like, ‘How can I not come? They’re depending on me?”
Kochheiser started volunteering part-time whereas she was nonetheless working as an accountant. Once she retired, she started spending extra time on the shelter.
She doesn’t bear in mind how lengthy she’s been a full-time volunteer. For years she’s arrived practically each morning between 9 and 9:30 a.m.
“I don’t leave until all the dogs are walked and the laundry is done,” she mentioned.
Kochheiser mentioned it’s greater than a love of the dogs that retains her coming again. She loves the folks on the shelter too.
“We all care about the dogs so much. It’s a team effort,” she mentioned.
“I kind of feel like I shouldn’t be singled out. We all work together. But I appreciate (the award.”
How can I volunteer?
The Richland County Dog Warden & Adoption Center is searching for further volunteers.
The shelter is open to volunteers from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday by way of Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Volunteers should signal a legal responsibility waiver throughout their first go to.
Volunteers could also be accompanied by youngsters, however solely volunteers age 18 and older can maintain a canine’s leash.
Houghton advised volunteers put on garments and sneakers that may get soiled, for the reason that play yard will get muddy when it rains.
For extra info, contact the Dog Warden’s Office at 419-774-5892
