HAYDEN — For years, volunteering at Companions Animal Center has put joy in Joyce Crettol’s life.

Running the phone station and reception desk, and being a friendly face for visitors to the shelter gives Crettol a chance to help animals and pet owners.

“I love greeting the public, I’m the ‘happy to see you’ person. What keeps me here is the joy of seeing the animals taken care of,” Crettol said.

On Tuesday afternoon, the lobby became a place of heartfelt goodbyes to a beloved pet during Crettol’s shift, but she was there to speak to the family and help ground them again after their tears were shed and staff had taken them through the details. 

Having loved and lost pets before, she knows how much a kind word or comforting presence can impact someone going through the grieving, and three afternoons a week, she’s happy to be that presence for fellow animal lovers.

“Our job is to try and help them feel better about whatever is going on,” Crettol said.

Being in close proximity to the pets coming through the doors at Companions and sometimes accompanied by her own furry friend at the reception desk, Crettol said being a witness to the adoption process, particularly the animals with disabilities being chosen by families who accommodate their needs, is her favorite part of the process.

“There’s good things happening with animals here. Seeing people accept them because they want to give them a life that’s normal, that’s probably the most rewarding thing,” Crettol said.

She had volunteered prior to moving to Kootenai County at the New Mexico shelter where there were sometimes animals waiting for years to find the right home, but she’s been impressed by the shorter waits pets have to find their forever home. 

“The kitties, the dogs, we should try to emulate them. God made them the best. In heaven I hope to be up there taking care of the animals, it’s my passion,” Crettol said.

CAC has about 75 volunteers who fill a variety of roles. It could use more. 

Info: www.companionsanimalcenter.org