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September Volunteer of the Month
 Congratulations to Toby Deutsch and his people Nancy and Steve Deutsch, the September 2009 Volunteers of the Month. This family began volunteering with the San Diego Humane Society in December 2002, and have donated over 446 hours assisting with our Pet-Assisted Therapy Program.
Their Background:
Steve recently retired from his position as a teacher of the visually handicapped with the San Diego Unified School District and Nancy is a psychotherapist with a private practice. They moved here from New York City 28 years ago. They have two daughters. Michelle is a college student and Eliana is a graduate student completing her program as a nurse practitioner. They have three dogs, three cockatiels, a lovebird, an African Leopard tortoise and a pond full of goldfish.
Why did you decide to volunteer at the San Diego Humane Society?
“We had to share Toby with the world as he brings so much joy to everyone who meets him. And of course, we love animals!”
What is your favorite aspect of your volunteer work?
“We love interacting with the people we meet at the sites we visit, getting to know the other volunteers and staff and of course watching how the animals transform and bring joy and healing to the people we visit.”
What is your most memorable volunteer experience?
For Nancy it was when a man who was bed bound and (according to the nursing staff) had not spoken, spent more than forty-five minutes talking to one of our rats. For Steve it was when an elderly woman, while petting Toby, recounted her childhood experiences with her Chesapeake Bay Retriever on her farm in Maryland.
Staff comments regarding Nancy, Steve and Toby:
In recognizing them for this award, Judith Eisenberg said, “Nancy and Steve are trained therapists who bring a high level of professionalism to their volunteer work. They bring great joy to people and relate especially well to the children they visit. Their dog, Toby is a natural therapy dog and the Deutsches are thrilled to share him with people in need. Nancy and Steve are flexible and reliable and I am proud to have them in my program.”
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Gaines Campus: 5500 Gaines St., San Diego, CA 92110 | (619) 299-7012
North Campus: 2905 San Luis Rey Rd., Oceanside, CA 92058 | (760) 757-4357
