When a member of the dog behavior or transport team needs a trusted dog handling volunteer ASAP, their first call is often to Debbie Debiasse. In the two years she’s been volunteering at the shelter, Debbie has become known for her reliability and willingness to help, as well as her relaxed, roll-with-the-punches attitude. And, happily, she lives right around the corner.

Debbie first came to St. Hubert’s almost 20 years ago to adopt her beloved dog Bear. But between her job and raising a family, she didn’t begin volunteering until 2017. She became a regular in the kennels, assisting staff with morning cleaning. Then one day a behavior team member asked her to help walk dogs. Shortly after that, another staff member recruited her to assist with flights that were bringing dogs to Madison from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. “Watching all that good, I wanted to help,” she says. (Her current dog, Charlie, was one of the lucky ones to make it to NJ on one of those flights.)

These days, Debbie has some flexibility with her work schedule and makes time for St. Hubert’s in numerous ways: she’s a member of the Emergency Response Team, a weekly transport volunteer and a dog playgroup assistant. She also participates in K9-TEC training classes, working one on one with dogs, including the most fearful ones, like Eenie, pictured with her here, to help them relax and learn to trust people.

“I just love feeling like I’m a part of something,” Debbie says. “I really enjoy the people I work with. They are friends, and I am in awe of them… whatever I can do to help.” Colleen Harrington, who runs St. Hubert’s Waystation transport program, is grateful to have her on board. “Debbie is always on the ready to help our team, whether it’s 5:00 am or 8:00 pm, even when it’s last minute. It’s so nice to have a volunteer that we can count on that knows all parts of our program and is capable and caring… Debbie is part of the team.”