I’ve been volunteering at Lort Smith since 2017, and started in the laundry. Now I’m in front of house kennels. When I arrive at my shift the first thing I do is have a look around the kennels to see the dogs that we have and plan the walks. We fit in one walk before the staff meeting and a few after. I also give the resident dogs some TLC when we aren’t taking them out. Other than that, I clean kennels or wash dishes.

I love interacting with the dogs and learning about their different personalities. Some are super affectionate, others just want to go out for a walk, some love toys – others don’t know what to do with them. Seeing how far they come along with a little bit of training and a whole lot of love and then go on to find their forever homes makes me really happy.

A few weeks ago I was sitting in the Adoption Centre with one-eyed Mambo in my lap for about half an hour. He dozed off after that. When I found out that he got adopted the day after, I felt pure joy.

At home I have a five-year-old Labrador called Bailey who is the centre of my universe. He is very energetic, super affectionate and gives me lots of joy and endless entertainment.

Apart from work and volunteering at Lort Smith, I love trying out different cuisines (I am a huge foodie) and looking up recipes and cooking healthy food for Bailey (treats and meals). When I get a chance I like long walks and taking short trips to beach towns on the coast with my husband and Bailey in tow.