For the last five years, Hinsdale resident Madeline LoPresti has found a way to wedge volunteering at the Hinsdale Humane Society into her busy schedule, which includes working as an insurance agent and raising five children.

Volunteering for the society, which shelters and cares for abandoned animals and provides adoption opportunities for area animal lovers, is as much a full- time job as her other responsibilities.

Besides fostering pets at her home, she helps the society by making banners for special events, working the events themselves, visiting an assisted living center as part of the Pet-a-Pet program in which dogs and owners provide therapy to residents, and performing other tasks.

“Over the years, my children and husband have come to enjoy volunteering, and they all will be involved with the annual Pet Walk on Sunday (June 7),” LoPresti said. “It (volunteering at HHS) has become a family thing for us.”

The benefits of helping animals far outweighs the time-consuming commitment of fostering animals and tending to her volunteer tasks, she said.

Notable
LoPresti is trained, along with her long-haired Chihuahua dog, Charles, to form a therapy team that routinely visits an assisted care facility on Burr Ridge as part of the Pet-a-Pet program.

& quotable
“God spelled backwards is d-o-g, because they give such unconditional love,” LoPresti said.

Philosophy
• To be successful, treat others as you want to be treated, have good morals, and remain honest and humble.
• Helping others and opening your heart makes you realize there is more to life than just this.

Favorites
FOSTER PET Tulip, a rotweiler mix that was her first foster pet
MUSIC Disco, any dance music
FOOD Sesame chicken at the Jade Dragon in downtown Hinsdale
INTERESTS Spending time with family, sewing, being creative