Heather Smith
“The No Kill mission reminds me that big problems can be tackled. You learn along the way and make incremental steps forward and that’s what is important—to not lose sight of the end goal,” says volunteer Heather Smith.
Heather Smith is our kind of renaissance woman—she enjoys traveling, hiking, baking, horseback riding, being a mom, being a dog mom/grandma, and helping the homeless pets of Chicago.
“I began volunteering with PAWS through the Junior Volunteers program when my daughter was 13. She has always loved animals of all kinds. We volunteered together in Kitty City and did dishes and laundry in Dog Town,” says Heather.
In 2017, Heather adopted Betsy, a beagle-mix from PAWS.
“She recently passed away after a very brief illness. She was the sweetest, most adorable little princess. She didn’t bark for the first 6 months, but when she came out of her shell, we were glued at the hip,” says Heather.
Thankfully, Heather still has a pup around the house to keep her company: “I’m currently caring for my daughter’s 15-year-old Havanese mix, Jack, while she’s away at college.”
When Heather’s daughter left for college in 2021, Heather began volunteering in Dog Town on her own.
“I am usually around on weekend mornings. One of my favorite things is to interact with the dogs on their first walk. The level of enthusiasm is a great reminder to not take myself too seriously and stay in the moment,” says Heather.
Heather is also a First Shift Mentor who helps orient new volunteers. She says, “I love meeting new volunteers and hearing about what made them decide to volunteer. I’ve also done a few of the Community Outreach programs over the years and hope to do many more when I have more free time.”
In 2024, Heather took extra classes so she could help train and support our population of dogs with greater challenges. She says, “each dog is unique, and it’s wonderful when a connection is made and they find their home.”
Heather clocked in just under 350 volunteer hours in 2024, equivalent to about 43 workdays.
“I honestly think volunteering at PAWS has helped me deal with various people and their personalities at work. You learn very quickly with dogs that it’s about meeting them where they are and if you do it well, it’s a better experience for all involved.”
Interested in becoming a volunteer like Heather?
“I would tell someone who’s thinking about becoming a volunteer that you’ll get so much more than you give. You will likely learn something about yourself, you’ll meet new people, and there is something for anyone who wants to help homeless pets,” says Heather.