Teacher volunteers at humane society, dedicates time to helping animals in need

BLAIR, Wis. (WKBT) -- "I always wanted to win the lottery and have my own farm and fill it up with as many animals as possible.'

Holly Knudtson teaches first grade in Arcadia and decided to volunteer at the shelter during her spare time. "I'd thought I'd come in and take over maybe a shift a week," Knudtson said. Before she knew it, she was volunteering three nights a week, weekends, and serving on the board for the Trempealeau County Humane Society. "She's here 90% of the time," said Michael Anderson, president of the Trempealeau Humane Society. "She's always running across the state to pick-up stray dogs, anybody that needs help." Feeding the cats and dogs, bathing them and administering medications, along with walking and playing with them, she's at the animal's beck and call. But her real joy comes from seeing the animals move onto bigger and better places. "We just want them in loving homes out of the shelter, thriving, that just brings me a lot of happiness," Knudtson said. Her connections created outside the shelter are just as profound as the ones made inside. "Because we're small, we feel like a family, and I think we're able to have that personal touch with people who are looking for a pet," Knudtson said. These small, personal touches go a long way. "Holly always had that emotion, that drive to actually care and look into the well-being like they're her family members, more than just somebody doing their job," Anderson said.

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