Jodi Casto began volunteering with us in March of 2005. While she wasn’t active for a couple of years, she has quickly made up for lost time! Jodi has already provided nearly 60 hours as a pet socialize since January! Unfortunately for the shelter, she will be graduating from Bridgewater College with a degree in biology this December. She and her mom are planning a move to the Asheville, North Carolina area after she graduates. It’s not surprising she would choose the Western part of North Carolina – Jodi loves cold weather! I always wondered why, even on the hottest days, she wears sweat pants to walk the dogs, now I know! She wanted to go to Colorado, but her mom talked her into staying a little closer to their current home of La Plata, Maryland. She didn’t want to get too far away from Jodi’s older brother, who is currently an electrician’s apprentice.

Upon graduation from Bridgewater, Jodi will be entering school to become a Veterinary Technician. She has always loved animals, and has had not only companion animals, but also horses and cattle all of her life. Her father was a breeder of Black and Tan Coonhounds, so, of course, dogs are her biggest love. She tells me she likes the cats, but I think she’s just trying not to hurt my cat-loving feelings.  Her favorite breed is the American Boxer. 

Jodi also works the front desk at Hampton Inn. Her boss loves her so much she has said she will refuse her resignation letter when the time comes. Jodi does hope to work part-time for the chain when she is settled into her new home. Her favorite hobbies are reading and bowling. Her bowling average is 123, and her favorite author is Jodi Picoult.  

We will definitely miss  Jodi when she goes to North Carolina, but we hope that she will never forget her time with us. We’d all like to think that she chose to work with animals at least partly because of our shelter and its furry residents!