'This is my life:' Lexington woman honored for devotion as volunteer at dog shelter

Susan Kochheiser's full-time job is being a volunteer at the Richland County Dog Warden and Shelter.

And the dogs love her for it.

"Susan's been here longer than anyone who is currently employed. She comes about every single day," said Missy Houghton, dog warden. "She gets here at 9 or 9:30 (a.m.) and stays until 5, 5:30 p.m.

"Sunday, she comes in a little later because, yeah, she should give herself a break."

Kochheiser's volunteer work has earned statewide attention. The Lexington resident is a ServeOhio award recipient for central Ohio.

The ServeOhio Awards recognize outstanding people, groups and initiatives in each region of Ohio who made great contributions to their communities through service and volunteerism.

Kochheiser will receive her award during National Volunteer Week April 21-27. The humane society will get a $1,000 cash award.

Kochheiser for more than 15 years has walked dogs, done laundry and given medicated baths. A fellow shelter volunteer nominated her for the award.

"Rain or shine, in snow, in ice, even in power outages, Susan goes in every day to give the dogs what they need," a ServeOhio representative wrote. "Even through the COVID-19 pandemic, Susan made sure every dog got to spend time with a human.

"She also makes sure that other volunteers are supported and feel appreciated. In addition to her direct work with the dogs, Susan also fundraises for the shelter and for the dog's medical treatments."

Kochheiser wanted to share award with fellow volunteers

Kochheiser, who did an interview with a News Journal reporter between walks, wanted to split the award with her fellow volunteers. Houghton said the shelter has about 25 regular helpers.

Looking back a number of years, Kochheiser recalled how she became a volunteer. One Saturday, she was headed for the gym when she felt compelled to go to the shelter.

"God was telling me to go to the dog pound," she said.

Kochheiser owned two dogs of her own. In her early days at the shelter, she played with the dogs, giving them valuable socialization.

"I asked if we were allowed to walk them," she said. "The rest is history. One thing led to another, and now I'm here every day.

"You just become so attached to the dogs. I love them so much. This is my life."

Kochheiser said she couldn't devote so much time to the dogs if not for her husband, Larry Kochheiser. They have been married for more than 21 years.

"He's very, very supportive," she said. "If he was against it, I couldn't be here."

In fact, Larry Kochheiser brings her coffee most days.

Kochheiser and husband recently adopted dog from rescue group

They adopted a Shih-Tzu from a rescue organization last weekend after losing a Boston terrier mix in October.

"We've always had two (dogs)," Kochheiser said. She will spoil the new arrival the same way she does the dogs at the shelter.

"The shelter has made so many improvements. You feel more hopeful," she said. "We have a whole web of volunteers. They get the word out about the dogs."

Kochheiser takes pictures and writes descriptions of the dogs for Petfinder.

"We all get so excited when a dog gets adopted," she said.

Now 67, Kochheiser says the dogs give her a workout. Despite the physical nature of walking them, she has no plans to stop anytime soon.

"As long as I can, I'm going to," Kochheiser said. "Why would I stop?"

mcaudill@gannett.com

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Shelter needs new cages

Donna Boyette, a Richland County Dog Warden and Shelter volunteer, has started a GoFundMe to help get new cages for the facility. So far, about $9,000 of a $15,000 goal has been raised for "New kennels for Richland County, Ohio, Dog Shelter." To help, go to her Facebook page or drop off donations at the shelter on North Home Road.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Richland County Dog Shelter volunteer gains statewide recognition