MANSFIELD — Susan Kochheiser prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
Kochheiser spends her days working hard behind the scenes at the Richland County Dog Warden & Adoption Center, a county-operated shelter on Home Road.
But she couldn’t hide a girlish grin as her fellow volunteers, dog warden’s staff and local officials gathered to celebrate her.
Kochheiser was one of eight recipients statewide selected for the 2024 ServeOhio Awards for Outstanding Volunteerism.
Staff members, representatives from the shelter board and other volunteers all wrote letters of nomination.
Sarah Short, volunteer engagement program officer with ServeOhio, said the “sheer number and quality” of nominations made Kochheiser stand out.
“Not only is the work that Susan is doing impacting the organization, but also fellow volunteers and fellow community members, which is just always incredible to see,” Short said.
Other volunteers described Kochheiser as a friend and leader.
“She is definitely a hero, I think, to all of us,” said April Friend.
“She taught me everything that I know. Her heart is extremely huge and so pure and I just love her so much.”
Volunteer Donna Boyette called Kochheiser “selfless.”
“She will stay here until every dog has been walked,” Boyette said.
“She clears paths for the dogs in the snow so they have somewhere to walk for the ones whose feet hurt them.”
Dog Warden Missy Houghton said Kochheiser is the one behind the photos and descriptions on the shelter’s Petfinder page, which displays dogs available for adoption.
She also takes it upon herself to make sure every dog gets a walk each day.
“She’s here seven days a week — rain, shine, snow. It doesn’t matter,” Houghton said. “Sometimes she’ll be here until six o’clock at night walking dogs.”
For Kochheiser, it’s a labor of love.
“It’s just a passion,” she said. “You look into the dogs’ eyes and it’s like, ‘How can I not come? They’re depending on me?”
Kochheiser began volunteering part-time while she was still working as an accountant. Once she retired, she began spending more time at the shelter.
She doesn’t remember how long she’s been a full-time volunteer. For years she’s arrived nearly every morning between 9 and 9:30 a.m.
“I don’t leave until all the dogs are walked and the laundry is done,” she said.
Kochheiser said it’s more than a love of the dogs that keeps her coming back. She loves the people at the shelter too.
“We all care about the dogs so much. It’s a team effort,” she said.
“I kind of feel like I shouldn’t be singled out. We all work together. But I appreciate (the award.”
How can I volunteer?
The Richland County Dog Warden & Adoption Center is seeking additional volunteers.
The shelter is open to volunteers from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. Volunteers must sign a liability waiver during their first visit.
Volunteers may be accompanied by children, but only volunteers age 18 and older can hold a dog’s leash.
Houghton suggested volunteers wear clothes and shoes that can get dirty, since the play yard gets muddy when it rains.
For more information, contact the Dog Warden’s Office at 419-774-5892
