Ivana Halliday quickly opens the door and slips inside GilliganB次元官网网址檚 kennel, offering sooth words of encouragement and praise.

The sandy-coloured pitbull is delighted to see her, especially the leash in her hand, which means a morning walk is in store.

Halliday gives as much unconditional love to the dogs at the Victoria SPCA as she receives, far beyond the four days a week she spends walking them.

Her dedication has earned her the B.C. SPCAB次元官网网址檚 Volunteer of the Year award, which she will be presented with on May 27.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 amazing,B次元官网网址� said SPCA branch manager Penny Stone.

B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 light and she can take the biggest dog. SheB次元官网网址檚 a fireball.B次元官网网址�

Stone and assistant manager Cory Bond nominated Halliday for the award, and werenB次元官网网址檛 surprised she won out of all 17 branches in the province.

B次元官网网址淭hey said, B次元官网网址榊ou should have nominated her years ago,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� said Stone.

ItB次元官网网址檚 telling that Halliday has a key to the Victoria branch, and that she cries tears of joy and sadness every time a dog is adopted.

B次元官网网址淚 love the dogs,B次元官网网址� said the Saanich resident. B次元官网网址淚t just shows that theyB次元官网网址檙e in my heart and I canB次元官网网址檛 walk away when they look at me.B次元官网网址�

She began spending one day a week at the animal shelter in 2000, and then when she retired in 2006, she became a constant fixture.

When Halliday arrives for her morning dog-walking shift, she brings bones purchased from the grocery store, and sometimes shredded cooked chicken and rice for stressed canines or fussy eaters, such as Gilligan.

The treats, walks and scratches behind the ears are HallidayB次元官网网址檚 way of showering love on the dogs, some of whom have never experienced a gentle hand or kind word.

B次元官网网址淭he look on their face is totally amazing,B次元官网网址� she says.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the best thing I do. It warms my heart.B次元官网网址�