Ashley Kish is a dedicated volunteer at Take Me Home Pet Rescue, in Richardson, Texas. While she’s only 19 in chronological years, she is more responsible and mature than many adults. Ashley’s family recently moved from Ohio to Richardson.

Prior to starting college Ashley had completed a two year pre-veterinary program that was offered at her high school. There she learned about animal care, health issues and handling. As soon as Ashley’s feet hit the soil of the Lone Star State, she joined Take Me Home. With her background in pre-vet, she jumped in feet first.

“She is literally my right hand,” says Elise Bissell, one of the organization’s founders. “She works from sun up to sun down.”

When she’s not working 30 hours a week for Dr. Aron Neeman, one of Take Me Home’s veterinarians, Ashley helps with every aspect of running the Adoption Center including: walking dogs, feeding and medicating the animals, and cleaning. She also assists with photographs, organizes and trains new volunteers, and updates the Facebook page. When they have underage kittens, Ashley’s there to feed them frequently. Puppies need lots of exercise? She does that too.

Ashley was especially important in the life of a pit bull named Emily. Take Me Home volunteers feared Emily had been used for fighting as she was covered with open wounds and someone had cut her ears off with scissors. Ashley and Emily became best buddies. Sadly, no one showed any interest in adopting the sweet dog, but Ashley was determined to find her a good home. They shared ice cream cones at a nearby McDonalds, went to the park and ran errands together. Because of all the time and kindness Ashley put into Emily, the throwaway dog was finally adopted to a great home last month.

There is never a time where Ashley is not available to help the rescued animals at Take Me Home Elise says. Ashley will likely return to college in the fall to continue her career in animal care. She is an amazing person, fun to know, super smart and the heart the size of the Texas!