by Rachel Long

From time to time, FETCH highlights a person who exemplifies what it means to "make a difference" in the lives of our pets. Get to know these inspiring individuals though their own words. Know someone who is making a difference in their own way? Tell FETCH, and we’ll consider them for a future issue. Send an email to editors@fetchthepaper.com.

When you meet Donyale Hoye, you might think she had just won the lottery, drank twenty cups of coffee or both. Her energy, enthusiasm, and passion make her a perfect fit for helping homeless dogs get a second chance. As a volunteer at the City of Berkeley Animal Shelter she is able to focus her attention on certain special dogs to help ensure they get the best chance for adoption. Her positive attitude and cooperative spirit have made her a favorite at the shelter where she donates two to three visits a week caring for canine guests. Amelia Funghi, the Community Services Specialist and volunteer coordinator, says volunteers like Donyale make such a difference in these animal’s lives. “She rolls with the punches. Even when she is brokenhearted she realizes we are all in this together,” said Funghi. This collaborative relationship is unfortunately rare in the animal welfare world in which volunteers and staff can sometimes be adversaries. Amelia is thrilled Donyale volunteers at the shelter, and we think the dogs are too.

When did you start volunteering and why?

HOYE: I started as volunteer in April 2004. I stumbled on the shelter by accident when I was looking for a local dog training class in the area. I didn’t think I could volunteer there because I thought it would be too sad and it would be too hard. I always just felt so bad for the dogs. But then I decided that feeling blue wasn’t helping the dogs who ended up in the shelter through no fault of their own. I could continue to be sad and think about them or I could go there and make a difference in their lives. I started by just walking the dogs, getting them out of their kennels for some fresh air and exercise. Then I realized the importance of training and temperament testing and started helping Amelia assess the dogs. I also started taking dogs to the BAD RAP classes on Saturdays.

But don’t you live in Oakland? Why not volunteer somewhere there?

HOYE: I wanted to help pit bulls, my favorite breed, and it seemed Berkeley had a lot of them. They were also very “pit bull friendly,” which means they didn’t just euthanize every pit bull that came into the shelter, as some shelters still do. They treated them like all the other dogs. I also enjoyed the environment at the shelter. Staff , after properly training us, gives volunteers lots of freedom and really values our input. The proximity to the BAD RAP classes is a huge plus. The mental stimulation these classes provides ensures dogs that can stay in shelters for months and months and months stay sane and healthy. Working pit bulls around other pit bulls is the best. Seeing a dog aggressive dog be able to be calm and behaved around 10 other dogs is fantastic.

What does a normal day at the shelter look like for you?

HOYE: I arrive and look for my regulars. I take on two dogs as special projects while they wait for their forever homes. I take one to the Saturday’s BAD RAP Pit Education training class, and I take the other through the Canine Good Citizen class. So I first look for these dogs and take them out for some training, to practice what we learned at class. After that, I take a look at the kennel cards to see who hasn’t gotten out lately and take them outside for a romp. I’m usually there for a few hours a few times a week. I haven’t been able to help with temperament tests in a while, but I’ll be starting that again soon.

What is temperament testing, and why is it important?

HOYE: Temperament testing is putting the dogs through various tests to see how they react and to determine how stable and social they are. Checking to see how they respond to different stimuli and situations will help the shelter determine what kind of home would be best for the dog. It will also help the shelter make tough decisions about dogs that are potentially dangerous.

Have you ever had to say goodbye to a dog you had trained and spent time with?

HOYE: Yes, one of my favorite dogs was named Hugo. He was an amazing dog who was a pit bull American Bull dog mix. I had spent months training him and then we started to see some strange guarding qualities and other behavior issues. Even though it was one of the hardest things I have gone through, the shelter did humanely euthanize him. Even as I took him on his last walk, tears were running down my face. But I knew it was the right decision because he could have hurt someone and he was not representing the pit bull breed well. Pit bulls are terrible guard dogs (since they love all people and strangers), and allowing a dog with an unstable temperament to be available to the public would only hurt the breed more.

Is it possible not to get attached?

HOYE: No. You get attached to all of them. But I’ve been lucky, and Hugo was the only dog that had to be euthanized. Most of my dogs (dogs that I have trained) have been adopted or are still waiting to get a home.

Are there any dogs at the shelter now who are special for you?

HOYE: I’m currently working with Autumn. Autumn, who I call Bali since that was her original name, was at the shelter for about 8 months. I had trained her and taken her to classes. She was then adopted. The new owner had some troubles, so I went to her house to help her and even drove her to the pet store to get the proper collar and other supplies. I wanted to make sure Bali was OK. Unfortunately, the owner had issues with her neighbors about the dog and returned her. She has been back for about 4 months now. At first she was depressed, but now she seems happier than ever. She is really a perfect dog and is well on her way to her Canine Good Citizen certification. It’s sad it takes so long for these dogs to get adopted, but I’m glad she is there. When I show up and Bali’s little tail is wagging like crazy from behind that kennel door and then she gives me a big pit bull hug and sloppy kiss, I just melt. She would be a lovely pet for anyone looking for a true companion.

What is your number one wish for the Berkeley shelter?

HOYE: Being a city run shelter, the volunteers don’t have much say in who adopts the dog. I worry about all the dogs like they were my own kids, and I just want them all to be taken care of. I know few homes are perfect, but I’d like to see dogs go to the best home rather just any home to get them out of the shelter. I also think we should require owners to take their dogs to training classes as a condition of adoption. Even if the dog is well trained, the new owner needs to learn how to be a strong, yet loving leader.

What can other people do to help dogs?

HOYE: People who are considering getting a dog should look at shelter or rescue groups first rather than buying one from a backyard breeder. I also think people that own dogs should get them spayed or neutered. This will help in reducing the number of puppies born and help decrease the pet over-population problems in our area. And lastly I think people should think long and hard before getting a dog. Having a dog is a lot of work and requires a great deal of responsibility. If you don’t think you can commit to a dog for its entire lifetime, volunteer at a local shelter to get your animal fix.

What do you do when you are not at the shelter?

HOYE: I am a San Francisco Fire Fighter, so that keeps me pretty busy. I also work with my two dogs, Muggy and Lola, both pit bulls, to ensure they continue to be breed ambassadors. Muggy is a Canine Good Citizen and Certified Therapy Dog and Lola is looking to earn her certifications soon. I also have two cats, Rosie and Leo, both orange tabbies. Rosie is 10 and Leo is seven. They keep the dogs in line.

What inspires you and keeps you positive?

HOYE: I love to see how dogs bring people together. You can take a large group of very different people with different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences and get them all talking about dogs. Dogs bring them together, and I really get a kick out of seeing that happen. I also love to see dogs that were not treated well or even abused come into their own and become happy, healthy creatures again. Dogs are so resilient and forgiving. I wish I could be half as resilient and forgiving as they are. If the world was a quarter as forgiving as dogs are, it would be much better place.