Every Life Matters.

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Meet Our Volunteers

Heroes Among Us

Meet Our Volunteers

Doing our part to save their hearts

The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project (HHPP) thrives because of the unwavering dedication of our incredible volunteers. Each day, they selflessly devote countless hours to provide our dogs with the care, enrichment, and love they deserve. Their compassion transforms the lives of every animal they touch, ensuring that their time at The HHPP is filled with joy and comfort.

Andrea Thompson

Andrea Thompson

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Shannon Arkwright

Shannon Arkwright

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Kristen Snyder

Kristen Snyder

Jennifer Cassidy

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Claire Caldone

Claire Calderone

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Sherri Fairbanks

Sherri Fairbanks

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Julianne Mazarek

Julianne Mazarek

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Kim Hodgkiss

Kim Hodgkiss

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Tiffany Hodgkiss

Tiffany Hodgkiss

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Lori Lukco

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Doing Our Part to Save their hearts

Join Us in Making a Difference

Together, we can create a brighter future for animals in need. Your support and involvement are crucial to our mission of compassion and care. Become a part of our dedicated community and help us save more lives.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

At the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, we dedicate ourselves to rescuing and nurturing animals in need. Join our mission to give every pet a loving home. Don’t forget to follow us on social media.

909 Martin Luther King Blvd SW

Warren, OH 44485

(234) 855-5847

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Andrea Thompson

I have been volunteering with Jason for 6 years now… so I’ve seen a lot. My favorite part is making a difference in the lives of all these beautiful souls, who have been let down in the past. They come in lost, confused, scared, and just broken(mentally and/or physically). They have a way of blossoming as they learn to trust, love, grow, and just dog that makes my heart smile. When I’m having a rough day they always find a way to make me laugh!!

shannon arkwright
Shannon Arkwright

I started volunteering at the shelter over 5 years ago and am a senior volunteer. I was going through a rough time in my life and needed a distraction. That’s when I found the dogs. It is my therapy to be with them. I have helped a lot of dogs find their forever homes. I have 2 that I had rescued from HHPP that were Heartworm Positive. I enjoy being with the dogs and helping them since they have no voice.

In 2021, after losing my therapy dog Shelby, I never thought I could replace her. I began volunteering for HHPP, transporting dogs to the vet, and instantly fell in love with shelter dogs. On my first day, Jason asked what type of dog I was interested in. I said I just wanted to volunteer, but he had me walk Loki, a bullie breed. The next day, I brought Loki home, and she’s been with me ever since. Jason knew exactly what would be a good fit for my lifestyle.

Since then, I’ve fostered several dogs and become a full-time volunteer, helping with dog walking, cleaning, and events. I’m now the foster and adoption coordinator, working mostly from home due to medical issues. I love these animals like my own until they find their forever homes. I’m proud to be part of HHPP and available to help at any time via phone, text, or email.

Claire Caldone
Claire Calderone
Mariah

I started volunteering at HHPP when the new facility opened March 2024.

People volunteer for different reasons. My reason was my love of dogs and the realization that giving back is more rewarding than receiving.

I have met some wonderful dogs and inspiring people. Most of the volunteers really did not know what they were getting into but the rewards have been vast. We have seen lost, broken dogs heal and thrive. We have taken in hundreds of dogs and found loving homes for so many of them. We have made lifelong friends that feel more like family.

One of my favorites at the shelter was a big brindle pit mix named Mariah. She had been tied to a bench at a Dollar General store. She was taken to HHPP about 2 years ago. For some reason, she kept getting looked over. When I started at the shelter, she was one of the first dogs that I walked. She was gentle and calm and would stare into your soul. I decided to enroll her in our 6-week training course. Jason warned me that she was dog-reactive, but I went ahead anyway. And Jason was right. It was a struggle, but she gained confidence every week and learned that it was a safe place to be.

When training was over, I started taking her on outings, to parks and around town. I wanted people to see her and to hopefully find her a home. A few weeks later I had a meet at the shelter with a sweet lady that was looking at another dog. That dog was too energetic, and she just wasn’t feeling a connection.

I took a chance and told her about Mariah. I was gushing because I was proud of her and wanted a home for her in the worst way. When Dawn met her, I could see that she saw the same potential in Mariah. Dawn took Mariah home and they were best friends immediately. She sends me photos every now and then and it fills my heart again.

Volunteering is rewarding, challenging, and can sometimes be tiring, but it is all worth it.

Sherri Fairbanks
Sherri Fairbanks

I am new to the shelter, starting in November 2024. I had been following the shelter as it came together and when I saw that they were asking for help I knew I had to sign up. It has been such a rewarding experience. I have met dogs that totally stole my heart and to see them get adopted is the best part of all. Each week when I show up I look forward to seeing my fav’s and getting them out for some fresh air. You definitely experience sadness but find comfort in knowing you’re doing what you can by showing up for them. We are their voice! 

Julianne Mazarek
Julianne Mazarek
Julianne Mazarek
Julianne Mazarek with Ben and Tangerine

I am writing to you to share a passion that has grown near and dear to me. There is a special place in my heart for animals in need of love, care, and rescue.  In January of 2024, I started volunteering at the Healthy Hearts and Paws Project (HHPP) new animal shelter in warren. I have done everything at the shelter from cleaning kennels, laundry, transport to vet appointments, to shuttling dogs. I always look forward to seeing two of my favorites at the shelter, Ben, and Tangerine. They are the sweetest and always get a little extra attention from me. As my most favorite part of volunteering, I found my girl, Foxie. I am considered a “Volunteer Fail” and glad I went in that day. Not much is known of her story, other than that she was found in Warren on Federal Street as a stray, and that she was less than a year old. She is the sweetest, funniest dog and is part of our family.  

Join us in making a difference- Every act of kindness counts!!

Kim Hodgkiss
Kim Hodgkiss
Dante
I started volunteering in the fall of 2023…I had been following all of the stories on Facebook and thought I’d love to do that with my daughter Tiffany…I wasn’t sure my heart could take seeing these dogs in crates …It took me about 3 months to get the nerve up to send a message….That first visit was all it took for me to be hooked….I fell in love with it…My first doggy crush was Marvin who got adopted once we moved to the Warren location.  It made me realize that doing this could bring joy to myself and anyone else who puts their heart into it…
 
My second puppy crush was My Man Dante….I could see he was truly looked over and would make someone a great pet…He soon became my favorite, and it was my mission to find him a home.  I would put him in my car in the summer so he could enjoy the air conditioner all by himself then the heat in the winter…He totally stole my heart.  He had never even gotten  1 application…well the right person has come along and I am forever grateful for my friend Rita…she gave this hunk a chance and said she can’t believe he has never gotten an application….He now has a home and someone to love him as he nudges his nose to everyone he meets just to get some back rubs….He goes on car rides and sits quietly as he enjoys the sights.   If you are even giving volunteering a thought, come on out and give it a try.  You won’t regret it!
Tiffany Hodgkiss
Tiffany Hodgkiss
Trevor
Trevor
Hi, my name is Tiffany! I became a volunteer at The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project in 2023. I’ve always loved spending time with animals but I never thought that I could emotionally handle being a volunteer, but I was so wrong. Once I met those dogs, I was instantly hooked! Being a part of this project has made me laugh and cry with my fellow volunteers who have become some of my closest friends.

If you’re interested in becoming a volunteer but you’re afraid you can’t handle it, trust me, you can! You may have days with many tears but most days, those tears become happy tears when your favorite pup walks out the door with their new family.

My success story is my sweet boy, Trevor. When I first laid eyes on Trevor, my heart melted. He was left out abandoned with no way to find home so he found himself walking in our doors. Initially he was very timid, and he was fearful of new people. I began taking him to private basic training classes, and he truly shined! From there, it became my goal to find him the perfect home. He had multiple meets before we found his person, and I knew right away that this was going to be his new dog mom! Now, he is living his best life in a warm and loving home to sleep in at night! This is what it is all about! 
Lori Lukco
Lori Lukco
Lori Lukco 2
Hi , I’m Lori and I’m thrilled to share my volunteering journey that began in 2015 at the Trumbull Pound , then a small rescue in Austintown, All About the Pawz, and eventually to HHPP since 2019.
When I first met Jason, he took me into his home showing me all the dogs, and I thought to myself, “I’ll never remember all their names”, but soon enough I did, and I had the pleasure of taking care of the basement, garage, and den dogs at the house.
They truly became my babies. I feel an unbreakable bond with the dogs at the shelter, and I’ve had the privilege of taking them home on over-nights and bringing them home for the day, as well as bringing them to work with me .
I’m beyond grateful for the new facility and all the “volunteer” friends I’ve met along the way.
People often ask me how I do it, but I say , how can you not ? These animals bring me a sense of purpose and joy that’s hard to explain. When I’m away from the shelter for a few days I miss them dearly like they are my own.
My favorite moment is walking onto the adoption floor and going right to my sweet girl Izzy.. as soon as she sees me she knows I’m gonna get her out first and go right to my car . I’m deeply passionate about helping these animals, and I invite you to join me on this journey. I promise you it will be a life changing experience. You don’t realize how much you need them.