A volunteer from Pleasanton-based Valley Humane Society (VHS) will be honored by the Bay Area chapter of the American Red Cross as a Community Service Hero. Community Service Heroes are those “whose actions exemplify the spirit of heroism through courage, dedication, and character.”
John Flotten has donated thousands of hours of his time each year to coordinate VHS’s AniMeals and Canine Comfort Pet Therapy programs. AniMeals, which distributes dog and cat food and animal supplies to low-income families, has grown under Flotten’s leadership 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 animals to remain at home and out of the county shelter system.
Flotten not only oversees recertification for Canine Comfort dogs and handlers, but forges relationships with new facilities, schedules therapy visitations and mentors new teams. An active handler with his dog Miles, Flotten has helped establish 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.
Flotten and Miles also visit the Veteran’s Affairs Health Care Center in Livermore and work with Hope Hospice to comfort individuals facing death.
A lifelong volunteer, Flotten has educated school children about the business world, taught computer skills to seniors, sat on education boards and coached sports.
An award ceremony was held today during the 13th annual heroes recognition breakfast at the Hilton Oakland Airport.
