As Told by Stacy Koselka: Dedicated Foster Volunteer
As we continue to celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Week, we are honored to share the story of Stacy Koselka. Though she has been a part of the Anderson Humane foster family for less than three months, Stacy brings a profound depth of empathy and understanding to her work. Inspired by a desire to help local and transported animals find a safe space to rest and decompress, Stacy has quickly become a vital part of our mission to provide calm, supportive environments for animals coming from stressful situations.
Gage: The Gentle Giant who Stayed
A major turning point in Stacy’s fostering journey was welcoming a 9-year-old Tibetan Mastiff named Gage. As the largest and oldest dog Stacy had ever fostered, Gage taught her that animals, much like people, require time and presence to truly reveal their personalities. Over several months, Stacy provided Gage with the consistency and patience he needed to settle in. That bond grew so strong that what started as a foster journey eventually turned into adoption. Gage’s story is a beautiful reminder of how a loving environment can transform a senior animal’s life.
The Connection Between Grief and Compassion
For Stacy, fostering is deeply intertwined with her personal journey of healing. After losing her brother in 2023, she found a unique connection between her own grief and the experiences found within the animal welfare community. She recognizes that whether it is a foster saying goodbye to a pet or an adopter looking for a new companion after a loss, a shared understanding of grief can be a powerful tool for empathy. This perspective allows her to approach fostering as more than just caregiving – it is a way to support healing for the animals, the adopters, and herself.
Being the Bridge
Stacy often reflects on a sentiment widely shared throughout the animal rescue and fostering community: “What if they only need you for a little while? Can you be a bridge?” This philosophy perfectly captures her role in the rescue world. She sees herself as the essential link between an animal’s uncertain past and their bright future. By offering her heart and home “for a little while,” she ensures that every animal she touches is better prepared for their next chapter. We are so grateful to Stacy for her vulnerability, her patience, and her commitment to being that bridge.
Join Our Fostering Family
By becoming a foster with Anderson Humane, you join dedicated individuals like Stacy in our shared commitment to animal welfare and community connection. Your involvement ensures that we can continue to provide the social interaction and hands-on attention that animals like Gage need to feel safe and secure. By spending quality time with them and helping them socialize in a home environment, you play a vital role in easing their transition into a loving home, preparing them for the day they meet their future family.
If you are inspired by Stacy’s journey and are interested in helping support animals through our fostering program, we would love to hear from you. Your compassion provides the comfort these animals deserve while they wait for their next step.
Visit us at ahconnects.org/foster-2/.
Interested in becoming a volunteer? Visit us at ahconnects.org/adopt
