Volunteer Spotlight: Diana Burkholder

Q: How long have you been volunteering with Haven Humane Society?

Diana and Leon during a Dog Walking shift

Diana: I started around 2016 or 2017 as a medical foster. My first foster dog had serious skin issues, and my background in nursing really helped me care for him. I’ve lived in Redding since I was 9, and my mom was involved with Haven too, so helping animals here feels personal.

Q: What’s your professional background?

Diana: I’ve been a nurse and also practice rolfing. Both have helped me when it comes to fostering animals with medical needs.

Q: Tell us about a memorable foster.

Diana: Journey was an abused, underweight dog we couldn’t put weight on—until Dr. Campbell diagnosed an underlying illness, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. With treatment, he finally started to thrive and made a remarkable recovery physically and emotionally.

Journey, before and after his recovery with Diana

Do you have pets of your own?

Diana: Yes! I have a dog named Gemma, who I adopted from Haven’s Camp program, and two cats—Pinky (my first foster fail!) and Guido.

How does Gemma get along with your foster animals?

Diana: She’s amazing. Gemma helps our foster dogs learn how to be dogs—she’s helped with everything from socializing to potty training dogs like my previous fosters Flapjack and Knuckles, who weren’t great with others at first.

Foster dog Knuckles in the middle of Diana's pack

Q: How else do you volunteer?

Diana: I started walking dogs in 2022. I also spent time volunteering in the Vet Hospital, but it reminded me too much of my nursing career. Walking dogs and fostering are where I feel I make the most impact.

"I feel like I make a direct difference every day"

Q: What keeps you coming back?

Diana: I feel like I make a direct difference every day. I’m living my dream—helping animals.

Q: What do you enjoy outside of volunteering?

Diana: I love mushroom hunting, hiking with Gemma, mountain biking, sailing, and going on adventures. I'm about to head to Honduras for a free-diving trip—hoping to see a whale shark! I can hold my breath for 2.5 minutes on land.

Q: Any long-term goals?

Diana: I want to learn how to help animals wherever I travel. I plan to keep fostering and walking dogs as long as I can.