Our "Best Friend" Honored Volunteer: David Glazer
"Our Best Friends" is a weekly installment to honor just a few of our outstanding Best Friends LA volunteers. This is your chance to get to know some of the shining stars in the Best Friends LA volunteer program! Volunteers are either nominated by Best Friends LA staff or other volunteers in our program. If you would like to volunteer, email the Best Friends LA Volunteer Department at volunteerla@bestfriends.org.
David Glazer - Honored June 2019
What BFLA programs/events/volunteer roles do you find yourself participating in?
I love my days spent at Best Friends Lifesaving Center. On Tuesdays I work with Lori in the Photo Studio assisting in the new admittance photos and other photo shoots. Doing the photo shift allows me to meet the new dogs, most times before they have even had a behavior assessment. I also walk dogs, help out with showcasing and have participated in playgroups. I have worked at the Super Adoptions, Strut your Mutt and mobile adoptions when they were still happening. I am currently taking the new Blue Paw training.
Why do you choose to volunteer with Best Friends LA?
The ability to give some love and attention to a homeless pet is what drives me. The Best Friends organization impressed me long before I started volunteering and a visit to the Sanctuary a couple of years ago really cemented my commitment. I know that my contributions on a macro scale are quite small but the time spent with one of our dogs means the world to that dog.
How long have you been a BFLA volunteer?
May 4, 2014 was my first day volunteering as a greeter at Super Adoption at the La Brea Tar Pits. I had a hiatus of about two years when work consumed me and knee surgery sidelined me in August of 2017. I restarted in August 2018.
What do you do when you're not volunteering (career/extracurricular activities)?
I retired in September 2017 from the motion picture industry after 41 years, mostly as a Prop Master. Now everyday is Saturday! My wife and I sing in the vocal ensemble at our synagogue. We have traveled in the last two years to Israel, Jordan, England, New York and Portland, Oregon. We are both real homebodies, so reading, watching movies, gardening and taking care of our pets fills our days.
Do you have a favorite story to share about an experience volunteering with Best Friends LA? Share it!
The first day I met March, I took her for a walk around the block and managed to trip on that bit of raised sidewalk by the industrial park! I fell straight to the ground, my glasses went flying, my hands hit the cement and both knees took a real hit. The leashes were in a tangle. My first thought was that March would take off down the street or drag me along. But she immediately stopped and sat. She didn't move until I stood and was ready to go. We walked to the park and I sat on a bench and March stood up and put her front legs around my neck and gave me a hug and kissed my face. She is a thoughtful soul.
Do you have any pets? Tell us about them!
We have two dogs, Lola and Pebbles and two cats, Ace and Sasha. Ace who is a black shorthair, was adopted from the West Valley shelter as a kitten 14 years ago and Sasha, a calico, was adopted from a local kitten foster about 6 months after that. We adopted Pebbles, a small terrier mix from West Valley 6 years ago when she was 2 months old and less than a year after that we met Lola, a two year old little wiry terrier mix at the Long Beach Animal Expo. We also have a 30-gallon freshwater aquarium with catfish and eels.
What others are saying about David:
"David is an incredibly helpful in so many ways! Whether he's dog walking, helping Lori with photography, or helping showcase for adoptions, I always love seeing him around!" - Amanda H. (Dog Team Interim Manager)
"David is a pleasure to work with. He is always so positive and supportive. Whenever we need help, he is always willing to jump in, whether that's doing dog adoption showcasing, dog walking, or assisting at large scale events. We are lucky to have him as a volunteer. " - Christine Q. (Volunteer Department Lead)
"We love David! He continues to impress us with his dedication to the dogs and expanding his skill set with handling. He is currently working towards his Blue Paw status and has been a very helpful iover the years he has volunteered with us. - Amanda Y. (Dog Behavior Specialist)"