Volunteers | Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary

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!

Meet Mary Malarkey and Olive

Sep 16, 2024

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Mary Malarkey, A Champion for Special Needs Dogs

Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary is fortunate to have wonderful volunteers like Mary Malarkey. Mary grew up in Washington, DC, and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park in 1981 with a degree in Microbiology. After graduation, Mary embarked on a career for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), serving the public proudly for over 32 years. Mary has always been drawn to the water, and after falling in love with Charleston, decided to make it her permanent home in 2021. Mary now resides on Johns Island with her rescue dog Milo Louie, and her Partner, Rob. Mary is a proud stepmom, Grandma Mary to six, Oma to one, and has recently welcomed her fourth great-grandchild.

Mary’s lifelong love for animals was deepened by her 15 years of volunteer experience at a rescue group in Maryland. Upon retiring, Mary wasted no time getting involved with Hallie Hill and has become a valuable member of our volunteer team here at the Sanctuary. Special needs dogs hold a special place in Mary’s heart. She finds it incredibly rewarding to connect with and see these dogs open up after all they have endured. One such dog is Olive, a sweet and shy soul who came to us from an overcrowded shelter. Olive struggled at first and was very timid around people. With Mary’s tender love and care, Olive has begun to open up and make tremendous progress.

Mary’s enthusiasm extends beyond the animals – she cherishes the relationships she’s built with other volunteers and has described it as a privilege being able to work with such caring folks. Thank you Mary for your unwavering commitment to Hallie Hill Animal Sanctuary, our animals, and our team.

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New at the Sanctuary- Dog Daycations!

Jul 22, 2024

We’re excited to introduce our new “Dog Daycations” program, where our shelter dogs and volunteers get to enjoy a fun-filled day together. Volunteers can take a shelter dog out for an adventure, whether it’s a stroll in the park, a refreshing swim, or other enjoyable activities. This initiative not only gives our dogs a delightful break from the shelter environment but also offers volunteers a rewarding experience of companionship and joy.

Enrichment is a wonderful thing for a shelter animal and having the opportunity to participate in new experiences and explore the world is the most valuable kind of enrichment (unless it’s getting their very own home!) The dogs learn A LOT and we learn A LOT about the dogs! It’s a WIN-WIN. Become a Tier 3 Volunteer and go on a Dog Daycation! You’ll be glad you did!

Check out what our volunteers have to say about their experiences with our “Dog Daycations” program and get to know some of our wonderful dogs! Read their heartwarming stories and see how these special outings have created unforgettable moments and strengthened the bond between our shelter dogs and their human companions.

Meet Kelly Ackerman & Clayton

Jul 15, 2024

Clayton arrived at Hallie Hill from an overcrowded local shelter where he had been adopted and returned for being an adept ‘escape artist’. At Hallie Hill, Clayton has been exemplary, but he has recently begun to suffer from storm anxiety. This condition is worrying during the sudden thunderstorms common here in the summer. We administer medications and shelter him in the barn, yet our greatest wish is to find him a loving home where he can find solace in a closet or under a bed during storms.

Kellie Ackerman, a Lowcountry native, adores spending time with her 2.5 dogs – she counts her mother’s rescue Pit Bull as half hers!

She enjoys time with family and friends. Kellie can often be found on the water, fishing or boating, and she has a passion for travel. Kellie holds a special affection for all the animals at Hallie Hill, particularly Clayton, who captures her heart by reminding her of Poncho, her own youngest dog who also has a wild spirit. Volunteers such as Kellie are instrumental in providing the necessary enrichment for dogs like Clayton who live at the sanctuary while they wait for adoption.

DIY Doggy Ice Cream

Jul 10, 2024

Treat your four-legged friends to a delicious and healthy treat with this easy recipe for dog-friendly ice cream! Made with only a few wholesome ingredients that are safe and nutritious for dogs, this recipe is perfect for a hot day.

Start by warming 1/2 cup of peanut butter (make sure it doesn’t contain Xylitol or Birch Sugar as it is highly poisonous to dogs) in the microwave until it’s easy to stir. Mash a ripe banana in a bowl and mix in 1 cup of plain natural yogurt. Add one teaspoon of honey to the banana and yogurt mixture, then stir in the melted peanut butter until everything is well combined. Pour the mixture into a freezer-safe container and freeze for at least 6 hours. Your furry friend will adore this homemade frozen treat; you can be sure it’s made with only safe and healthy ingredients!

Meet Our June Adorable Adoptables

Jun 24, 2024

We have so many adorable adoptable this month at Hallie Hill, please meet a few below. If interested in adopting, please fill out an application to come out to HHAS to meet these wonderful animals!

Astrid

Upon her arrival at the local shelter, Astrid was a bit untamed. Her sister and she were moved to Hallie Hill for socialization. She takes delight in other dogs’ company and shows a playful side. Astrid seems smart and is motivated by food. She accepts human touch and will walk on a leash, though she might not enjoy exploring new environments or walking in busy places. Given time and patience, she has the potential to become a wonderful pet.

Copper

Copper, a charming hound mix, was found as a stray and brought to Hallie Hill. He possesses the lively energy of a puppy and joyfully greets people of all ages. At a recent bustling event, he behaved excellently on a leash, meeting both humans and dogs. He’s a diamond in the rough, waiting for the perfect family to discover his true shine.

Dolly

Dolly, a charming hound, arrived with some health concerns but is now flourishing. She possesses a robust voice that she reserves for moments of excitement. Her interactions with other dogs and all humans at the sanctuary have been positive. However, her compatibility with cats remains untested.

Bandit

Bandit, a regal light gray tabby, carries himself with a kingly attitude. Despite his often grumpy expression, he welcomes human affection. He may assert dominance over other cats, yet he remains harmless. This wonderful senior deserves a wonderful home.