Volunteer Spotlight: Fran Komar

Fran Komar first started volunteering for the Humane Society of Missouri after retiring from a 25-year career in animal science research and development.

“I wanted to do something to share my knowledge and appreciation for animals with children,” she says. “Volunteering in HSMO’s Education Department was perfect for me.”

Her volunteer work takes her to all three HSMO locations: headquarters, the Maryland Heights shelter, and Longmeadow Rescue Ranch.

“I can have a Shelter Buddies reading class at [the Maryland Heights shelter], a Humane IQ class at [headquarters] or a farm animal tour at Longmeadow Rescue Ranch,” she says.

“There are no typical shifts for me since we tailor our classes to the request of the groups visiting us.”

She particularly fond of teaching Humane IQ classes and working with campers at the Ranch.

“Watching children in Humane IQ classes who are actually afraid of animals – like my big black CGC dog Rascal – hug him when they leave makes my heart smile,” she says. “Imparting even just a little knowledge about farm animals at day camp and seeing the kiddos responses is enormously rewarding.”

Fran says the most rewarding parts of volunteering for her are the interactions with the kids when they learn something new and watching their responses when they interact with an animal.

Thinking of volunteering?

“Just do it,” Fran says. “There are a multitude of ways to volunteer at the HSMO, from interacting with the animals yourself to teaching children how to interact with animals. You can volunteer for a time slot on one particular day every week or sign up for classes in the Education Department on a varying schedule. There is a volunteer opportunity for everyone at the HSMO.”