Volunteer: Judy Sheehan (assisted by husband Jerry, the Golden Whisperer)
GRRMF Volunteer Career: Foster, Transport, Events, Writer, Media Team Leader
Found out about GRRMF:
When we lost two goldens within weeks of each other, we had already made the decision to see the world once we retired and it was not the best time to get another dog – but there was such a hole. A friend and volunteer of GRRMF kept asking me to join. I told her yes but after I retire and have time! We retired, did a couple of trips and the rest is history!
Continued Commitment:
I enjoy the people and the pups! They all come from different walks of life, but all have the same passion. Meeting the people at the reunions (along with our previous fosters) is so heart-warming. It keeps us active and enables us
to use our life experiences to help other people and dogs. Watching a pup blossom is truly a gratifying feeling. Most of the time you don’t know what that dog has gone through in its previous life. It is wonderful when they come out of their shell or finally get well and you get that glow knowing that you helped turned their heart light back on.
Most Memorable Moment:
I enjoy working with the Media Team – it is truly the best. Helping with the launch of the new website is a special memory I will never forget. It was hard, but I actually contributed to a greater cause. Now when I use it, I know that I helped to build it and still get to improve it on an ongoing basis.
My Golden Whisperer Jerry would say “Cooper of 2012”! If we hadn’t agreed not to get a dog and we weren’t traveling, Cooper would have never left! We haven’t had a dog yet that within a couple of days wasn’t his best bud and will do anything and everything he asks.
Advice to Potential Volunteer:
You have a skill GRRMF can use. You’d be surprised what a rescue needs! Volunteers have other jobs, go to school, go on vacation, own their own businesses, and travel, but we all can lean on each other to make the organization work as a whole. Don’t be afraid to say – ‘I can’t do that now’. We have volunteers that can only do one aspect of a team, and that’s OK.
Update December 31, 2023. We are saddened with the loss of Gerry Sheehan, beloved husband of Judy, whose life was filled with passion and care for people and pups. Read about his life well lived. https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/rockledge-fl/gerald-sheehan-11608971
