THECONNECTION

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J u l y 3 , 2 0 1 9 - I s s u e 1 4

It took long enough, but summer is finally here.

With it comes sunshine, warm temperatures and days on the beach!

For those of us in animal welfare, it also brings an influx of dogs and cats (and a variety of other species these days) into our already stressed sheltering system.

Yet you come in, day in and day out, and provide best-in-class care to each and every animal we are entrusted with. Working in a shelter is tough enough as it is, but it gets even more so this

time of year.

We are with you. I’ve been there. Literally.

I began my career working in the shelter for the Kenosha County Humane Society and have spent most of my adult life working in overcrowded and under-resourced municipal shelters. It’s tough. But we do it — day after day — because its important. To the community. To us. To each individual animal we act on behalf of.

That passion that drives you to do the work you do with so much dedication is the exact reason the employee engagement survey is so important — with what we do with the information being more important. We want to help you make the most of that passion and help the organization and our mission by channeling that passion in the most productive way. The employees of Michigan Humane are the heart of this organization. I have made employee engagement and becoming an employee-driven organization a priority.

The passion you all possess for our mission is inspiring. You, independently and collectively, are our biggest asset.

Recognition was one of the key themes coming out of the survey. We are listening. I want you to know that on those days when it feels hard — we are with you. We are in it together. Your work is appreciated, and we are all so proud of this team and its commitment to Michigan Humane and what we stand for.

Thank you.

T H E H E A R T O F M I C H I G A N H U M A N EB y P r e s i d e n t a n d C h i e f E x e c u t i v e O f f i c e r, M a t t h e w P e p p e r

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After working 32 years at Ford Motor Company, Larry Wilhelm thought that retirement would mean slowing down. However, not working proved to be more difficult than he thought. Larry soon found himself looking for something to take up time and began volunteering at Michigan Humane.

“I came to Michigan Humane off and on over the years. We had a cat colony in my neighborhood, and we would bring in the kittens. I knew about the facility and thought, why not volunteer here,” said Larry Wilhelm, director of facilities maintenance.

Larry began his volunteering as a dog walker and part of the Pawsitive Start Program. He enjoyed his time at the shelter so much that he began volunteering three to four days a week. His new hobby was turning into a passion.

“The first time I actually connected with an animal during one of the Pawsitive Start classes was amazing. The dog looked up at me and knew exactly what I was asking of him. It was phenomenal. He blew my mind. It was that moment that I knew this was what I want to do.”

He quit volunteering and joined the ranks as a Michigan Humane staff member. The man who retired was back on the clock working full time and enjoying his new career path.

Larry has had the opportunity to interact with people from all over and travel to many different places with our Statewide Response team in the 10 years that he has worked at Michigan Humane. When he isn’t traveling around the U.S., Larry is overseeing our facilities, making sure that we can continue to provide the best care for the animals that need help.

“One thing I see here is that everyone has a job. But we all have the same goal, whether you are at Bingham, the shelters, the warehouse or pet pantry. All of our jobs help us achieve our number one goal, to help animals.”

Thank you, Larry, for your 10 years of service. We are proud to have you on our team. Congratulations and Happy Anniversary.

After several requests, we have decided to have an employee spotlight in The Connection. Larry’s story is the first in our anniversary spotlight series. Please bear with us as we continue to find the best way to spotlight our staff.

A DIFFERENT MEANING TO RETIREMENT B y M a r k e t i n g A s s o c i a t e , D e v a n B i a n c o

The 2019 MHS Employee Engagement Survey Roadshow is coming to town! (Well at least to where you work.) Matt Pepper, Tom Varitek and Andrea Buchanan will be coming around to each facility to share the results of the employee engagement survey with all staff. They will be visiting each location over the next several weeks and are requesting that all staff attend one of the presentations. If you have a planned vacation or are otherwise unable to attend — we get it — but please make every effort to be there if possible. If you are off that day, we will pay for your time to be there for the presentation.

July 15 - Mackey Center for Animal Care: 11:15 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. (you get lunch!)July 16 - Petco: 8:30 a.m. (you get breakfast!)July 16 - Rochester Hills: 11:45 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. (you get lunch!)July 26 - Berman Center for Animal Care: 11:45 a.m. & 12:45 p.m. (you get lunch!) July 29 - Bingham Farms: 12:30 p.m. (you get lunch!)Aug. 5 - Livingston: 9:00 a.m. (you get breakfast!)

So, talk with you supervisor or manager or director or whoever schedules you, to make sure you can make one of these sessions. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

CULTURAL AMP SURVEY

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I N T E R E S T E D I N S U B M I T T I N G C O N T E N T F O R T H E N E X T I S S U E O F T H E C O N N E C T I O N ? S E N D YO U R S U G G E S T I O N S

T O T H E C O N N E C T I O N @ M I C H I G A N H U M A N E .O R G

It’s firework season! We all look forward to the celebration and fun that is the Fourth of July, but for our furry friends, this day is far from exciting.

In fact, more pets are reported missing during holidays where fireworks are present, which is why it’s important to ensure your pets are safe before any fireworks begin.

• Microchip your pets in case they become lost. You can call 866-MHUMANE to schedule an appointment with a Michigan Humane veterinarian today.

• It may seem obvious, but make sure any doors and windows in your home are shut. Your pets can become extremely distressed by the loud noises of fireworks, and they may make a run for it.

• Give your pet a safe space to retreat. Grab your dog’s favorite toy and a few blankets and let him wait out the fireworks in a secluded, quiet space. Fireworks too loud? Try putting on music or turning the television up to drown them out.

• Divert their attention. Try giving your pets a new bone or chew toy to distract them from the fireworks booming outside.

• Talk with your vet to see if your pet might benefit from alternative options to reduce stress.

5 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR DOG SAFE DURING FIREWORKSB y B r a n d M a n a g e r, Va l e r i e B e n n e t t

U P C O M I N G E V E N T SMeet Your Best Friend at the Market• When: Sunday, July 14• Where: Eastern Market - Detroit, MI

Mutt March• When: Sunday, July 28 • Where: Edsel & Eleanor Ford House - Grosse Pointe Shores, MI

Canine to Five’s Drinking with Dogs• When: Tuesday, July 30• Where: Rosie O’Grady’s - Ferndale, MI

Pups in the Plaza• When: Friday, August 9• Where: Little Caesars ArenaChevy Plaza - Detroit, MI

Meet Your Best Friend at the DIA• When: Sunday, August 25• Where: Detroit Institute of Arts - Detroit, MI

J O B B OA R DAnimal Transport Evaluator/DriverBehavioral Health Services Director

Clinic VeterinarianClinic Veterinary Tech

CustodianCustomer Service Representative

Licensed Veterinary TechShelter Licensed Veterinary Tech

Shelter Veterinary TechVolunteer Programs Coordinator

Know someone who would be a great fit for the Michigan Humane team? Check out our job openings at michiganhumane.org/careers

T R I V I AQ. In the 1993 classic “The Sandlot,” what is the name of the English Mastiff the film? Send your answers to theconnection@michiganhumane.org, and the first person to answer correctly gets a free Michigan Humane t-shirt!

Issue 13 Trivia Answer: 12 foster families. Congrats to last weeks winner, Dania Mial.