‘NHS holds such a huge space in my heart’ June 2, 2025

“Where does one begin to tell the story of an organization that forged the path of their adult life? I suppose they write a book; however, this is for social media, so I will try to condense this for you.

I started volunteering at the Nebraska Humane Society around 2000 as I waited to get into vet tech school. I volunteered there and was exposed to every aspect of shelter life. I started my life with animals there as a veterinary technician. I learned so much about animals, life, love, loyalty, challenges, and loss while I was there.

There are too many people who influenced me to list here! While at NHS, I testified to the legislature, attended cruelty raids, learned the ups and downs of the workplace, saw veterinary medical magic, and gained lifelong friends and family members. I responded to national disasters during my time there, most memorably Hurricane Katrina, where I met the love of my life, my dog Delta Dawn—named, raised, and trained along with my fellow coworkers and volunteers.

To say we were a family is an understatement—we grew up there. Because of NHS, I ended up in Florida and could not imagine my life any other way. I lost my last NHS alumni, Leon (B.K.A. P) about a year-and-a-half ago. Throughout the years, I adopted mice, two cats, a few hospice dogs and puppies, and learned to navigate the world of fostering, professionally and personally.

NHS holds such a huge space in my heart—congrats to NHS—and much love to my coworkers, friends, family, and volunteers from NHS—human or otherwise. Thank you, NHS!”

-Nikki

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