by Caroline Gabsewics
Staff Writer
Terri Tennille wears many hats and somehow they all revolve around dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers.
Tennille has been a Realtor for the past three years. She and her husband own a few businesses in Amelia Island including a furniture store, Home Imports. Tennille is also a co-founder of Save the Animals Rescue Society (STARS) of Amelia Inc.
“I have always had a Lab,” she said, adding that she has rescued two Labs and two mutts, and she has two of her own. “I am an animal freak.”
Tennille started volunteering with Nassau County Animal Control and saw how over-populated it was. She decided she wanted to do something about the problem.
About five years ago, a handful of volunteers including Tennille started STARS of Amelia, a dog rescue group committed to finding homes for abandoned dogs. The dogs receive their shots and are spayed or neutered, and then are placed in a volunteer’s homes until they find the perfect owner.
So far 600 dogs have been adopted through STARS of Amelia.
“There is a cat rescue group in town, Cat’s Angels, but there wasn’t a single dog rescue group,” she said. “This seemed like the most realistic way to help with the overpopulation of dogs.
“I love it. It’s fun to do and it’s rewarding.”
Tennille decided to get her real estate license after a friend, who is now her broker, encouraged her.
Tennille has been a top producer since she started.
“I love it,” she said. “It’s easy to sell homes when you love where you live.”
Tennille believes by being involved in the community has helped her career.
“I truly believe that you need to give back to your community and I am giving back through the animal rescue program,” she said. “I think people look for someone who does more than their everyday job.”
One of her dogs, a black Lab named Puddin, goes almost everywhere with Tennille. The tellers at the bank know Puddin and have doggie treats for her behind the counter. She also comes to Tennille’s office at Coldwell Banker, Jasinsky & Associates on Centre Street in Fernandina Beach.
“Having her around helps people relax,” she said. “And when she isn’t at our furniture store, people always ask where she is.”
Puddin is also photographed with Tennille on her advertisements and business cards. Tennille explained that when her clients see that she has Labs, it has helped place dogs into new homeowner’s homes.
“I have placed six Labs in people’s homes simply because I have Labs and my clients know that,” she said. “My slogan is ‘Rated #1 agent by an independent Lab.’”
Even though Labs are Tennille’s personal favorite, she will foster any dog until STARS of Amelia has found them the perfect home.
Tennille said all of the animal rescue groups work fairly well together because they are all striving to do one thing: to find abandoned animals a home.
One group that STARS of Amelia works with in Nassau County has recently received both local and national recognition.
The organization is Project C.H.A.N.C.E. (Canines Helping Anyone Needing Courage and Empowerment.) The goal of the program is to place dogs with individuals who have Autism Spectrum Disorders or any other cognitive developmental disorder, said B.J. Szwedzinski, the organization’s director.
Szwedzinski spends several months, and sometimes over a year, training the dog and spending time with the family and the individual who will be using the service dog to assist with their everyday needs.
Szwedzinski also offers other services like basic dog training, behavior modification training, boarding kennel and service dogs.
“We have been working hand in hand with her,” said Tennille. “If we come across an unruly dog, we let her know and she trains them until it is ready to be placed in a home.”
If Szwedsinski has a dog that won’t be able to be a service dog, she will let the STARS of Amelia know so that they can find the dog a home.
“She has really helped us out,” said Tennille. “She can determine the dog’s personality and the type of person they can be paired with.
“We all have a common goal to make sure the dogs stay in their new home and they don’t end up in animal control.”