North Shore Animal League America Veterinary Technician DONNA IMHOF

Donna Imhof is more than a veterinary technician at North Shore Animal League America; she not only saves animals’ lives but she also strives to make those lives the best they can possibly be. In the summer of 1995, Donna joined the League’s Medical Center staff and soon worked her way up to Senior Technician. She quickly displayed an in-depth knowledge of her job and associated duties that set an example for her co-workers and earned their respect and admiration.

But Donna has more than medical knowledge and abilities: she has a deep compassion for all the animals and their families. When a special needs pet crosses her path, Donna jumps into action. She immediately envisions a way to improve the dog or cat’s life. Her only goal is to make that special pet’s life more comfortable and as close to normal as possible. It is Donna’s love for these animals that moves her to share their stories with her husband John. He listens to his wife’s account of the animals, mulls it over in his mind, and then designs and creates life-saving and life-enhancing apparatus and equipment. The team of Donna and John Imhof has given countless sick and suffering animals the means to be properly cared for and the ability to live full and happy lives.

From an innovative chair helping megaesophagus dogs eat in an upright position to specially designed walkers for paralyzed animals and, most recently, to unique devices attaching respiratory therapy equipment to cages, Donna and John Imhof have touched and improved the lives of hundreds of thousands of animals in need.

The League was proud to recently honor Donna and John Imhof with our first Spirit of Compassion Award for their devotion to animals in need and their unwavering dedication to making the lives of these dogs and cats richer and happier than anyone would have imagined.