Humane Society Volunteer to be Honored as Hero by American Red Cross

Information from the Valley Humane Society—

Valley Humane Society (VHS) is pleased to announce that volunteer John Flotten will be honored by the Bay Area chapter of the American Red Cross as a Community Service Hero. John’s work on behalf of VHS community programs recommends him as “one whose actions exemplify the spirit of heroism through courage, dedication, and character.” Giving thousands of hours of his time each year, John coordinates VHS’s AniMeals and Canine Comfort Pet Therapy programs.

Under his leadership, AniMeals, which distributes dog and cat food and animal supplies to eligible low-income families, has grown from distributing a few thousand pounds of food each year to more than 30,000 pounds annually. His efforts have allowed VHS to help hundreds of loving companions remain at home with their families and out of the county shelter system. 

John oversees recertification for Canine Comfort dogs and handlers and forges relationships with new facilities, schedules therapy visitations, and mentors new teams. An active handler with his dog Miles, John has helped start visitations in local school districts and city libraries, allowing thousands of school-age children to improve their reading skills through the gentle companionship of dogs. John and Miles also visit the Veteran’s Affairs Health Care Center in Livermore and work with Hope Hospice to sharing the unconditional love unique to dogs with individuals facing death. 

John has been a lifelong volunteer, jumping at the chance to educate school children about the business world, teaching computer skills at the local Senior Center, sitting on education boards, and coaching sports.

Valley Humane Society is proud to have him working on our behalf. The award ceremony will take place during the 13th Annual Heroes Recognition Breakfast on Friday, September 27 from 8-10 am at the Hilton Oakland Airport, One Hegenberger Road, Oakland. Community members are invited to attend the award ceremony in support of John and other honorees; tickets may be purchased at www.redcross.org/ACHeroes. Envisioning a world in which every animal is loved and every person knows the love of an animal, Valley Humane Society (VHS) creates a brighter future for cats and dogs by encouraging and strengthening the bond between people and pets.

VHS rescues and rehabilitates companion animals, champions responsible caretaking, shares pets’ soothing affections with people in need of comfort, and supports and preserves existing pet-guardian relationships. Whether you’d like to adopt an animal, share your passion for pets, or meet like-minded people, VHS is Your Means to a Friend™.