Fredericksburg Parent

14 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • August 2024 diff erence maker Meghan Cohn has been actively involved with Old Dominion Humane Society for eight years. When she first began volun- teering at the rescue shelter in 2016 at just 12 years old, she loved it so much she yearned to be around the dogs there all the time. "I wanted to be at the rescue 24/7, but as a member of an active family in multiple clubs and sports, it got harder to go to there as much as I wanted," she recalls. "So, with a little convincing, my parents said we could start fos- tering. I took that as I could bring home all the dogs and start my own little rescue." Which, in a way, is exactly what she did. In all, Cohn has fostered 14 preg- nant dogs and their litters, looking after more than 100 puppies through the years. She keeps the mother dogs and their little ones safe in a kennel located in her garage until they are well enough and grown enough to be more independent. Puppies typically can do everything on their own at about six weeks of age. At 14, when her schedule allowed, Cohn resumed volunteering at Old Dominion Humane Society with the Saturday morning crew, feeding, car- ing for, and walking the dogs, as well as preparing for the shelter's Saturday events. She's barely missed a Saturday since. "If I'm not working, you will find me somewhere with the dogs," Cohn shares. "I also pop over there through the week when I have some spare time. As far as fostering goes, I will foster who ever needs it the most, so my foster rotates a lot." Cohn, who resides in Stafford County, is currently fostering one dog named Ballistix, whom she took in when the dog was three months pregnant. All of her puppies have since been adopted. Cohn also has a personal dog, Sadie, a 12-year-old Basset hound mix who is a certified therapy dog. In addi- tion to Old Dominion Heritage Humane Society, Cohn spends time at local assisted living facilities, hospitals, and libraries with Sadie. She also likes traveling and kayaking in her spare time. Sadie isn't the only animal who's won over Cohn's heart and home. "I started my own mini zoo, with a hamster, a turtle, fish, chickens, a cat, and five dogs," says Cohn, whose day job is in logistics with a spe- cialty in hazardous shipping at BallistiX Coatings & Sealers in Fredericksburg. Although, if she had it her way, she'd work with animals all day long. "I want to retire and live on a farm," she says. "I don't see myself ever being able to escape the rescue." Cohn, who's also previously volunteered with the Fredericksburg SPCA, feels that when it comes to animals, especially dogs, she just has that spe- cial connection. "Dogs do speak, but only to people who know how to listen," she says. "You have to find what speaks to you." Puppy Love! WRITTEN BY BRANDY CENTOLANZA

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