Rewards of volunteering include 'Pat's Pack' of bulldog 'foster fails'
Volunteer of the Month Pat Cavanaugh
For more than seven years, Pat Cavanaugh has been a steady, compassionate force behind the scenes at Tired Dog Rescue. What first drew him was simple and pure: dogs that needed help. He said what has kept him committed all these years is the deep connection that forms when he opens his home and heart to a foster pup.
Pat is best known for fostering, and occasionally “foster failing,” because sometimes the right dog finds their forever home a little sooner than planned. Pat's pack now proudly includes three Frenchies, all Tired Dog Rescue alumni, and an English Bulldog rescued through Bullies 2 the Rescue. Each one is a reminder of the lives changed through rescue and second chances.
Pat says one of his favorite memories perfectly captures the joy and mischief of fostering. After giving sweet Lizzy a foster home, not once but twice, he walked into the kitchen to find her standing proudly on top of the counter toy in mouth as if she had just pulled off the greatest heist of her life. Moments like that are what make fostering unforgettable.
Beyond the laughs and cuddles, Pat truly values the hard work that goes into rescue behind the scenes: the transport runs, vet visits, late-night messages, fundraising and endless coordination that keeps dogs safe and cared for. He says volunteering has given him a deep appreciation for the teamwork that makes Tired Dog Rescue possible.
When Pat isn’t busy helping dogs, you might find him woodworking, a skill he’s pretty great at. Rescue volunteers are talented in more ways than one.
His advice for anyone thinking about volunteering? Simple and powerful: Just do it.
Because sometimes, all it takes to change a life, for the human and the canine, is opening your door and saying yes.
