We are so thankful for our wonderful volunteers and Happily Furever After Rescue would not be able to operate without their support and dedication to helping animals in need. Each month we will feature a volunteer who has helped make an impact within our organization. Read to learn more and check back monthly to see who we feature next:

JANUARY VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: CAROL MARTIN & CENTRAL BARK

We are thrilled to recognize Carol Martin, owner of Central Bark Danbury, as our Volunteer of the Month to kick off 2026!

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In December 2025, Carol invited Happily Furever After Rescue to the open house of her beautiful new Central Bark facility, located at 55 Kenosia Avenue in Danbury. Central Bark, part of a national franchise, offers enrichment dog daycare highlighting small group play balanced with rest periods, overnight boarding, grooming, and pet merchandise, with training classes planned for the near future. From the moment you step inside, it is clear this space was thoughtfully created with dogs and their well-being as the top priority.

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Carol’s love for dogs is at the heart of everything she does. That passion led her to open Central Bark Danbury in June of 2025, and it also inspired her to take an even bigger step. After our involvement in Central Bark’s Open House event on December 6th, Carol personally reached out and asked to partner with Happily Furever After Rescue so she and her team could help a dog in need. It was something she had always wanted to do, and she was excited to finally foster for the first time...and we were just as thrilled! 

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That partnership led to Tripp, a gorgeous one-year-old pitbull mix, becoming Central Bark Danbury’s very first foster dog. Carol and her entire team have embraced him into their program. As Carol shares, “The entire team at Central Bark Danbury is caring for Tripp as one of our own every single day, and watching his growth has been incredibly rewarding for all of us.” In just five weeks, Tripp has learned basic manners, how to receive love from humans, and how to play appropriately with other dogs. Carol beautifully describes the experience as “all of us raising him to be his best self for his furever family.”

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Carol also shared how grateful she is for the partnership, expressing how thrilled she is to work with Jaclyn at Happily Furever After Rescue and how thankful she is for the guidance and support as a first-time foster parent.

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Tripp is Central Bark Danbury’s first foster dog, and Carol and her team are eager to continue this journey. We are incredibly thankful to Carol Martin and the Central Bark Danbury team for reaching out, opening their hearts, and choosing to partner with us to make a meaningful difference in a dog’s life. Their compassion, initiative, and commitment truly embody what rescue is all about. ​

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FEBRUARY VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH: LOUISE & GARY TEODOSIO

This month, we’re excited to recognize Louise Teodosio and her husband, Gary, whose compassion and dedication to rescue work have already made a meaningful impact at Happily Furever After Rescue.

Although Louise has been part of the HFAR family for just one month, her rescue journey began two years ago. She was first introduced to rescue work through her friend Lisa Lieb, who also happens to be a foster of ours, and quickly discovered how fulfilling it was to help animals in need. A lifelong animal lover who has shared her life with many cats and dogs, Louise knew she wanted to stay connected to animals in a hands-on way. “I really wanted to continue my relationship with animals, especially those in need,” she shared.

Since 2024, Louise and Gary have fostered four adult cats and six kittens. One of the most impactful experiences was caring for a litter of five kittens who had lost their mama. Stepping in to provide around-the-clock care and socialization was both challenging and incredibly gratifying. “It was so rewarding to be their replacement mama to provide the care and socialization needed for a successful adoption,” Louise said. All five kittens went on to find their furever homes and are now thriving.

When asked what she loves most about volunteering, Louise summed it up simply and beautifully: “Enriching my heart!” Rescue work has also given her a renewed perspective on the difference one person can make. “HFAR has reminded me of the impact I can have on an animal’s life,” she reflected.

Some of her favorite moments are the quiet, affectionate ones. “I love the snuggles and gentle kisses I get with my foster cats. It is so fulfilling!” Those small connections are what make fostering so special.

For anyone thinking about volunteering or fostering, Louise has heartfelt advice: “Please help save a dog or cats life! In return, your life becomes a whole lot more interesting! You get companionship, a chance to provide an animal with a loving home, and get to grow your heart!”

Recently retired, Louise has found fostering to be a meaningful way to give back while helping cats in need, with Gary’s support every step of the way. Even in just her first month with HFAR, it’s clear that Louise, and Gary, are already making a lasting difference.