Mandy Wieting
 Mandy Wieting has always been an animal lover. Her childhood home was what she describes as a “stray cat magnet” and she always had a furry friend to keep her company. Mandy described herself as a “cat person” until she got her first dog, Sasha Marie, in her twenties. Sasha Marie was a rambunctious little puppy, who kept Mandy laughing even when she ate a hole in the kitchen wall! Sasha also helped show Mandy the joy and unconditional love that both cats and dogs can bring into your life. Soon after Mandy joined AWARE, a group dedicated to helping animals in need.
A fund raiser and wine tasting held at a local hair salon introduced Mandy to Our Companions. She was in awe at the condos that the cats and dogs will be housed in. “It was so great to see them happy and comfortable, instead of in small confining cages while they were waiting for their new parents to find them.” When she learned of all of the other programs and services that Our Companions offers, she knew she had to be a part of it. “It is such a wonderful and dedicated group of people that I wanted to tell everyone I knew about Our Companions,” she added. Mandy, who is a graphic designer with The Reminder News, uses her design skills to support the Poster Program. She has also helped out in the office when needed, supported the Feral Workshop, and has attended many clean-up days and special events. Mandy said her reason for helping is the way it makes her feel. “It gets me excited to get others excited”
Mandy’s compassion for animals started at the age of 16 when she first learned how fur coats were made. After she discovered the truth about the fur industry, she made a New Year’s Resolution to stop eating red meat. Over the next few years, she stopped eating any kind of meat all together. “I don’t eat anything with eyes, except for potatoes,” Mandy jokes. “Nothing that has a mamma.” She and her husband Scott are now the proud parents of 2 cats, Cocoa and Heather, and 2 dogs, Jake and Sabrina. All four are seniors, and Cocoa is blind. It was a slow deterioration and Cocoa knows the layout of the house so well that he gets around without incident. Mandy knows the joys that animals can bring into your life, and her work with Our Companions has already allowed many families to experience that joy, with many more to come.
Previous Volunteer Spotlights
December 2009 - Pat McGuiness
October 2009 - Risa Davidson
August 2009 - Deb Soricelli
June 2009 - Henry Petrofsky
March 2009 - Jacquie Roy
Dec 2008 - Gretchen Labau
Sept 2008 Todd Johnston
July 2008 Lyn Garson
May 2008 Daryl Carbone
March 2008 Sue King
Jan 2008 Jon Phillips
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