September Volunteer of the Month- Jen Cohen

Sep 19, 2014

Austin Pets Alive! is proud to recognize our volunteer of the month for September, Jen Cohen.

Jen is an integral part of the Adopt@ Team and shines as a volunteer in several ways.

Here is what fellow APA!-ers have to say about her:

"Jen consistently signs up for some extremely long shifts on adopt even though she is at work while trying to do them....sometimes she signs up for 8-10 hours at a time. She also handles technical issues for us and she even helps shadow new volunteers, all while working a full time job. She is amazing!" - Patty Alexander, PASS & Adopt Line Manager

"Jen does so much for APA! Adopt Line, Dog Marketing, Events, Volunteer Coordination!! No idea how she fits it all in with a full time job, she just must not sleep ;) Without her Vol2 would not have happened, and she in constantly improving processes to make everything run smoother and better. She's phenomenal!" - Anonymous

"Jen is phenomenal, she works around the clock on multiple teams to make sure that APA! can streamline it's programs and contributes so much technical expertise which as we all know is in very short supply around APA!, she even colors her toes APA! green because she literally breathes APA! she's so committed." - Anonymous

"Jen takes on monumental shifts to ensure that Adoptline is covered. Has helped revamp the site to make it more efficient and easier to use. She is available to help others when she isn't even online." - Joy Menyhert, volunteer and foster

"She is awesome. Volunteers many hours every week. She supports other volunteers on the team. She is totally dedicated". - Charlene Cooley, volunteer

"As long as I have known her, Jen C. has always been an outstanding member of APA!'s Adopt@ team and she embodies everything you would look for in a volunteer. She is motivated, dedicated and goes out of her way to help APA!'s cause and be of assistance to any member of her team regardless of time and cost for herself to improve everybody's experience and efficiency. In my belief that is even more amazing if you consider that the work at Adopt@ is much less hands on than many other volunteer opportunities with APA!." - Markus Ludolf, volunteer

"She puts in long hours, always steps up when needed, and is taking on new responsibilities by training new volunteers." -  Jacque M, volunteer

And here is what Jen has to say about herself: 

How did you get interested in volunteering at APA!?

​I first started volunteering at APA! during the Bastrop wildfire, when I fostered a couple dogs in need. I eventually conceded that fostering wasn't right for me (thanks to my furbabies at home) and decided to get involved in a more behind-the-scenes role. Since then, I have become involved in the adopt line, volunteer coordination, events, and dog marketing.

What are you most passionate about at APA!?

​I really love that ​there are so many different ways to volunteer. I'm allergic to cats, I don't like to get dirty, and I'm unable to make large monetary contributions, but I have found so many other ways to help.

What is your favorite thing to do at APA!?

My favorite ​APA! events are the big off-site adoption extravaganzas. It's so great to see so many dogs and cats go home in one day.

What are some words of wisdom for new APA! volunteers?

​You really need to be a self-starter at APA! If you're interested in doing something and no one gets back to you right away, keep at it and don't be afraid to ask questions.

What's an interesting fact about you people may not know?

​I moved to Dripping Springs a few years ago, but thanks to the myriad volunteer opportunities at APA! I have actually ​increased my volunteering since I moved away from Austin proper.