Volunteers | Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

Dog Daycations at Hallie Hill

Dec 22, 2025

A Day of Simple Joys for Sven and Naomi

At Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, one of our favorite ways to enrich the lives of our dogs is through dog daycations. These special outings give dogs the chance to step outside the Sanctuary for a few hours and experience the world beyond their daily routine. Whether it is a car ride, a quiet walk, or simply time spent one-on-one with a caring volunteer, dog daycations offer mental stimulation, relaxation, and connection.

For many of our dogs, these moments help them show who they truly are when they feel calm, supported, and safe. Recently, two of our senior dogs, Sven and Naomi, enjoyed their own daycations, and each experience was a beautiful reminder of how meaningful these outings can be.

Sven’s Dog Daycation

A Gentle Soul Enjoying the Little Things

Sven recently went on a dog daycation, and it suited him perfectly.

This sweet senior gentleman hopped into the car with excitement and approached his outing with a calm, happy spirit. He enjoyed leisurely walks, plenty of good sniffs, and lots of loving attention from his daycation buddy. Sven took in new sights and smells at his own pace and seemed content simply being along for the ride.

Dog daycations allow dogs like Sven to relax and enjoy life outside the Sanctuary, even if just for a short while. For him, the day was filled with simple pleasures, gentle exploration, and moments of connection that highlighted his easygoing nature.

Sven is a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix who has spent many years living in a home with children and another senior dog. Due to circumstances beyond his family’s control, he found his way back to Hallie Hill. Despite his age, Sven still has plenty of pep and is well-behaved on a leash. He would love a home where he can enjoy more days like his daycation, surrounded by companionship and kindness. We hope that Sven and his longtime companion Dusty can find a loving home together.

Sven is available for adoption. You can learn more and apply to meet him at HallieHill.com/dogs.

Naomi’s Dog Daycation

One-on-One Time Makes All the Difference

Naomi also recently enjoyed a dog daycation, and her day was a beautiful example of how meaningful these outings can be.

Naomi rode calmly in the car and was eager to explore once she arrived. She enjoyed taking in her surroundings, going for relaxed walks, and soaking up one-on-one attention from her volunteer. Outside the Sanctuary, Naomi showed just how gentle, affectionate, and content she can be when she feels secure and understood.

Dog daycations allow dogs like Naomi to step into a quieter environment where they can relax and connect without pressure. For her, the day was filled with curiosity, calm companionship, and moments that reflected her loving personality.

Naomi has been part of the Hallie Hill family for many years. She does best with structure and careful handling, and she is housed alone at the Sanctuary due to past experiences with other dogs. When she goes on outings with trusted volunteers, she does very well and shows how much she enjoys consistent routines and individual attention. While we cannot say with certainty how her behavior might change once she forms a strong attachment, we know that Naomi has a deeply affectionate side and thrives when met with patience and understanding.

Naomi is available for adoption and would love a peaceful home where she can enjoy her senior years feeling safe, respected, and loved. You can learn more and apply to meet her at HallieHill.com/dogs.

Why Dog Daycations Matter

Dog daycations are more than just a fun outing. They help our dogs decompress, build confidence, and experience positive interactions beyond the Sanctuary environment. These moments often reveal sides of their personalities that are harder to see in a kennel setting and help potential adopters better understand who they are.

Most importantly, dog daycations remind our dogs that they are cherished.

We are so grateful to the volunteers who give their time and hearts to make these experiences possible. Thanks to their dedication, dogs like Sven and Naomi get to enjoy days filled with kindness, comfort, and connection.

If you are interested in learning more about our dogs or opening your heart and home to adoption, please visit HallieHill.com/dogs.

Hallie Hill Volunteer Spotlight

Nov 24, 2025

Dedicated Volunteering Enhanced Sanctuary Work Through Completing Dog Behavior Course

In July, ten HHAS volunteers and staff members enrolled in the Family Dog Mediation L.E.G.S. course. The L.E.G.S. course is a professional training program developed by Kim Broghey, which utilizes the L.E.G.S. model to understand dog behavior by examining a dog’s Learning, Environment, Genetics, and Self. The goal of the course is to teach a holistic, dog-centric approach to dog behavior and elefare that goes beyond traditional training methods by focusing on the root causes of a dog’s behavior.

Ann Ferrel has completed this challenging course and is using her new skills to help dog, Dillon, acclimate to many new settings (to him) and people in the community! We extend our heartfelt thanks to Ann for her dedication to the animals at Hallie Hill!

Hallie Hill welcomes many volunteers, providing animals with the opportunity to meet new people. This is a perfect time of year to start volunteering at Hallie Hill! For more information about volunteering opportunities, click here. www.halliehill.com.

Volunteer Spotlight: Doug McPherson

Sep 28, 2025

Hallie Hill is lucky to have so many wonderful volunteers, and this month we are delighted to introduce you to Doug McPherson!

Doug was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania, but life on the move came early — his father was a career Air Force pilot, so the family lived in many different places before settling in South Carolina. Doug has called SC home since 1967. After an impressive 44-year career in dentistry, Doug retired in December 2023 and, along with his wife Deborah and their oldest daughter Heather, now enjoys a well-earned slower pace of life. Heather, who has Down syndrome, is a constant source of joy for their family. Recently, Doug, Deborah, and Heather relocated to Wadmalaw Island to be closer to their younger daughter, Erin, and her family. They didn’t want to miss out on sharing in the daily lives of their grandson, Griffin, 4 1/2 and granddaughter, Rory, almost 1!

Animals have always had a special place in Doug’s life. Even though he’s been bitten twice by dogs in the past—his love and appreciation for them has only deepened through understanding them better. He’s shared his home with pets for as long as he can remember and today shares his heart and home with two dogs and two cats, promising to keep opening his home to animals for as long as he’s able to care for them. Doug discovered Hallie Hill thanks to a chance meeting at a Christmas social last year, where a woman suggested he visit the sanctuary.

Soon after, he joined our Friday crew, where you’ll often find him mucking enclosures, handing out treats, and—most importantly—spending time socializing with the dogs who call Hallie Hill home. When he’s not at the sanctuary, Doug stays active with daily walks alongside Deborah and Heather, jogging three times a week, and keeping up with plenty of yard work. His kindness, commitment, and genuine love for animals make him an invaluable part of the Hallie Hill family.

Thank you, Doug, for all you do to make life brighter for the animals in our care!

Doug is shown here with Roxie, a sweet, energetic, one and a half year old girl, with lots of joy to share. She loves
squeaky toys and spending quality time with her people.

Volunteer Spotlight: Gwen D’Orazio

Aug 12, 2025

A Cattery Companion with a Heart for Cats
Suppose you’ve ever wandered into the Hallie Hill cattery on a quiet afternoon and spotted someone eating her lunch and giving head rubs to some affectionate felines. In that case, chances are you’ve met Gwen D’Orazio. A devoted weekly volunteer since 2023, Gwen has quickly become a favorite among the community cat colony and the “Sweethearts,” as she lovingly refers to the sanctuary’s resident cattery cats. Whether offering head rubs or simply providing a calm presence, Gwen has a special way of making each cat feel cherished.

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Gwen’s journey has taken her from the Southwest to the Northeast and now to the warm charm of the Lowcountry. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico before launching a 20-year career in Boston as a jewelry buyer and product development design manager for a multi-channel catalog/website company. In 2015, Gwen and her husband traded snowstorms for sunshine and moved to Charleston—and she’s never looked back. Though she and her husband now share their home with a tennis-named pup named Rafa, Gwen’s heart has always belonged to cats. Over the years, she’s adopted three cats and cared for several feral colonies. One of those colony cats led her to Hallie Hill—a feral cat in need of rehoming brought her through our doors, and she says she’ll be forever grateful that we opened both our hearts and our sanctuary to him. By day, Gwen serves as a Content Director for an Amazon agency, but her passion for animals fills her spare time. She enjoys traveling, Pilates, and quiet evenings with her husband, but her weekly visits to Hallie Hill feed her soul. She calls it a “true blessing and honor” to volunteer alongside some of the most thoughtful and kind individuals she’s ever met.

Thank you, Gwen, for your dedication, compassion, and all the love you bring to our feline friends!

Volunteer Spotlight: Mia Balman

Jul 22, 2025

Introducing Mia Balman, one of our newest volunteers at the sanctuary. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Mia moved to Charleston in 2015 to attend the College of Charleston and quickly fell in love with the Lowcountry and its community of needy animals.

Mia is no stranger to rescuing herself; her beloved companion, Jabba, has been by her side since she was 19. A spirited German Shorthaired Pointer/Pittie mix, Jabba is now almost nine years old but full of life and personality. “He’s my entire world,” Mia says. “He keeps me active and busy with all his energy.”

Between graduate school, earning her master’s in social work, and her love of the outdoors, travel, and reading, Mia still makes time to give back—and Hallie Hill is lucky to be one of the places where she shares her time and heart.

“Volunteering at the sanctuary feels like a way I can give back to those who saved my baby, Jabba,” she says. “Having a facility like Hallie Hill has been my dream for the last 10+ years—something I talk about as my ‘early retirement plan.’ Being a part of it now is so special. And honestly, every animal here has completely stolen my heart.”

We are beyond grateful to have Mia as part of the Hallie Hill family—her passion, compassion, and commitment are truly inspiring. Volunteers like Mia help us give second chances to animals in need, and we couldn’t do it without them.

Volunteer Corner: Christopher Bernique

Mar 26, 2025

Meet Volunteer Christopher Bernique.

Christopher has been married to his wife, Dorothea, going on 45 years next month! He now hails from Summerville after returning to the States from England in 1996. He has two children, Stephanie and Stephen, and four wonderful grandchildren.

Christopher spent 22 years in the United States Air Force as an Aircraft Electrician until his retirement in 2000. He then continued working with the SCDOT in Traffic Engineering for another 13 years until his medical retirement.

Finding himself with lots of time on his hands, Christopher decided to put his love for dogs to good use when he began to volunteer with Dorchester Paws, where he met our own Michele Griffin! After the Covid hiatus, Christopher began looking to volunteer once again with dogs. After connecting with Michele on Facebook, he came out to Hallie Hill at her invitation and the rest is history, as they say! Christopher shared, “The staff and volunteers here at Hallie Hill are a friendly and welcoming group and I felt this was the place for me where I hopefully could make a difference in the lives of the dogs at the sanctuary.” Christopher volunteers his time 3 days a week and is ‘Fear Free’ certified!

Christopher and his wife have had the privilege of owning many beloved animals over the years, the fondest memories created by a pedigreed Bichon Frises, named Jeeves, who was purchased in England and named after the storied British butlers! The collective Bernique pack has been quite eclectic over the years including a Pomeranian, a Toy Poodle, two Bichons, a Chihuahua, and a Chinese Crested. Their current adorable canine master is named Monte, a Silky Terrier who will be 16 years young in May!

We thank Christopher for his dedication to the animals of Hallie Hill – we are ALL lucky to have you with us!