Episode 2: Volunteering, Dog Ventures & Finding Purpose at Detroit Animal Care and Control In this episode of Discussing Dogs in the D, Christine sits down with Nicole Biehl, a passionate volunteer with Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control, the nonprofit that supports Detroit Animal Care and Control. Nicole shares the story of the rescue dog who changed her life and ultimately led her into animal welfare. What started as a single adoption in 2013 turned into a deep commitment to helping shelter dogs find homes—and, just one year ago, a headfirst leap into volunteering at Detroit’s municipal shelter. Together, Christine and Nicole discuss: What it’s really like to volunteer inside DACC The emotional highs and lows of shelter work How social media (especially TikTok) can help dogs get seen and adopted The difference between Detroit Animal Care and Control and Friends of DACC How flexible volunteering makes it possible for busy families to get involved “Dog ventures” and “slumber parties,” and why even one day out of the kennel can change a dog’s life How to avoid burnout while staying committed to animal welfare Nicole also opens up about her three rescue dogs at home—including one with a challenging past—and shares what she’s learned about patience, communication, and respecting a dog’s boundaries. If you’ve ever wondered how you can help shelter dogs in Metro Detroit—without fostering, adopting, or overcommitting—this episode is your roadmap. From enrichment kits to adoption events to simply taking a dog on an adventure, there are so many ways to make an impact. 🎧 Tune in for an honest, heartfelt conversation about choosing dogs—and what happens when they choose you right back.
For Nicole's TikTok account, find her at @nicolemarieb4.
For more information on how to get involved, Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control:
Website https://www.friendsofdacc.org/
FoDACC Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/friendsofdacc
Christine O’Brien: Hey friends, welcome to Discussing Dogs in the D podcast. I’m Christine, your host, and I just wanted to do a short intro to an interview I did for today’s episode with Nicole Biehl. She is an incredible human and a heavy-hitting volunteer for Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control. They are the nonprofit that assists the municipal shelter, Detroit Animal Care and Control. I sat down with her and asked a bunch of questions about what she does there. So let’s get into it.
Christine O’Brien: Welcome to Discussing Dogs in the D podcast. This is Episode Two, and today I have Nicole Biehl with me. Thank you for being here today.
Nicole: Thank you.
Christine: I have so many questions, but let’s get straight into it. We are actually recording here at Detroit Animal Care and Control, and you’ve been volunteering here. You make videos, you promote all things animal welfare here—so, so many questions. But first, I’m going to ask this of all my guests: what is the one pet—animal, dog—that was a game changer for you and got you involved in volunteering? Was it one of your dogs or a dog here? What motivated you to do this?
Nicole: I think it would be my first rescue that we took in. I grew up with Golden Retrievers, and when my husband and I got engaged and bought our first house together, we said, “Let’s do this. We’re going full force. Let’s get a dog and try the rescue route.” I remember looking on Petfinder.com and finding a dog I thought would be amazing. But we weren’t approved because we lived on the water at the time and didn’t have a front gate across our driveway.
Being totally unaware of rescue rules and such, I went on Craigslist—and ironically, the very dog I found on Petfinder, who had been found on I-94 under an overpass, was listed there. It was kind of a full-circle moment. Even crazier, it turned out the person who found the dog was my cousin’s girlfriend, whom I had never met. If there were ever signs, this dog was meant to be ours—third time’s the charm.
We went to her house, met the dog, and right away he was lunging and barking. I said, “Oh, I love him,” and my husband was like, “Are you kidding me?” And that was our dog.
Christine: So you’ve always been rescuing dogs?
Nicole: That was our first one—that was 2013. Everything prior to that, growing up, we had Golden Retrievers. That was our first real dive in. He had a whole story and changed our life through so many events.
Christine: I love that. So when did you start getting involved at Detroit Animal Care and Control?
Nicole: That was just last year. It’ll be a year this month.
Christine: Wow. You jumped in headfirst. I see your posts—you are very active. Are you a board member, or are you “just” a volunteer? What’s your role here?
Nicole: I am a volunteer—and I say “just,” but I shouldn’t. I’m a volunteer. I find I do better without the pressure or label behind it. I want to extend myself as far as I want, and put in as much time as I can, without feeling like I have to do something.
When I first started, I lived about 35 minutes away and thought maybe I’d come once a month. That was a joke, because now I’m here every week—several times a week. I’m just so happy to be here.
Christine: When you drive here, are you anxious about what you’ll see, or excited? What’s your thought process?
Nicole: It’s definitely emotional. I read the dogs’ bios on the adoptable page at night and see their prior situations before I meet them. My heart pulls toward the timid or scared dogs. It’s such a joy watching them blossom.
I’m excited. I love posting my pictures and making videos in hopes that maybe the one person who sees it will be their person.
Christine: Tell us about your videos—where do you post them?
Nicole: Most of my videos are on TikTok. I have a public TikTok handle that we can list. Every time I come in, I try to make each dog their own personal video—how they walk, if they’re cuddly, active—just giving them the full spotlight.
Christine: So how can other people get involved?
Nicole: Anyone 18 and up can come to the shelter and take a dog out for a “dog venture.” You sign the dog out for the day, go to pet-friendly places, even bring them home if you keep them separate from resident animals for safety.
Even if you’re not fostering or adopting, you can take pictures and post on social media. You never know who might be looking for a shelter animal.
There are also “slumber parties,” which are overnight extensions of dog ventures. You get to show how the dog does in a home—are they calm, crate trained, sleeping through the night? Often, the difference is huge. You’re giving them peace and maybe the best sleep they’ve had in a long time.
Christine: And people can involve their kids with dog ventures, right?
Nicole: Yes. Kids under 18 can’t volunteer independently, but they can join you on dog ventures.
Christine: If someone wants to volunteer formally, what’s the process?
Nicole: They hold orientations every month—about three hours. You learn the ins and outs, safety rules, and walk a dog. They also offer buddy hours so you’re not thrown into it alone.
You can sign up through the Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control website under the volunteer tab. If it’s full, keep checking back or reach out.
Christine: How is volunteering tracked?
Nicole: There’s an app listing events—from daily dog walking to spay/neuter clinics and library events. It’s not just in-shelter work. There are adoption events, too, and even the public can bring a dog to an event to showcase them.
Christine: What about low-key ways to help?
Nicole: Enrichment kits! Anyone can pick one up. My son’s summer camp made felt toys for the dogs. You can bake peanut butter biscuits, make frozen enrichment for cold days—anyone can do it.
Christine: Walk us through your typical day volunteering.
Nicole: I sign in, grab a walkie-talkie and badge, check the adoptables board, and prioritize dogs who haven’t been out. Since Friends is volunteer-run, if volunteers don’t show up, dogs may not leave their kennels. There’s a huge need.
As a new volunteer, you’re not required to walk a dog you’re uncomfortable with. You can start with smaller dogs if you’d like.
Christine: Do you aim for quantity or quality?
Nicole: Quality. Every dog needs something different—cuddles, play, structure. I set a time boundary because burnout is real, but it’s hard not to say, “Just one more.”
Christine: Let’s talk burnout. How do you balance it?
Nicole: There are easy days and hard days. I’ve come home in tears—not just from sadness, but from the unfairness some dogs have faced. You have to know when to take a breath and reset. Even on vacation, I’m thinking about them. It’s about finding a healthy balance.
Christine: What are volunteer hours?
Nicole: You can volunteer seven days a week between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. There’s no minimum time commitment. The public can also do dog ventures and slumber parties seven days a week. The flexibility is incredible.
Christine: What are the highs and lows?
Nicole: The highs are seeing a dog go from nothing to everything. There was one dog I sat with and promised we’d find her a home. She was pulled by a rescue and now lives on a lake in Fenton, spoiled and happy. I get updates all the time. It’s amazing.
But it’s not always a grand finale. They just need someone to choose them and love them.
Christine: Can you explain the difference between Detroit Animal Care and Control and Friends?
Nicole: Detroit Animal Care and Control is the municipal shelter—staffed and tax-funded. Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control is a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit run by volunteers. Dog walking, enrichment, adoption events, spay/neuter clinics—that’s all volunteer-run. Without volunteers, it doesn’t exist.
Christine: What’s the address and public hours?
Nicole: 1431 East Ferry Street, Detroit. There’s parking out front and a big mural on the building. Public hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week. The first Thursday of each month, they’re open until 7:00 p.m.
You can follow the Friends of Detroit Animal Care and Control Supporters Facebook group and the Adoptable Animals at DACC page for bios and updates.
Christine: Tell us about your personal dogs.
Nicole: All three are rescues. Our first rescue passed at five from lymphoma. We did eight months of chemo—he was our baby. Losing him rocked our world.
Three weeks later, we adopted Sadie, a German Shepherd/Lab mix—high energy at first, now about ten and chill.
Our second is a Beagle/Chow from a hoarding case—the most relaxed dog ever.
Our third, Teddy, is half Rottweiler and half Chihuahua—short legs, big head, very feisty. We went through training, including a 17-day immersion program. We learned his triggers and how dogs communicate. When a dog growls, that means stop. You have to respect their language.
Now we have three kids, three dogs, and a husband—we are at capacity. That’s why I’m here so much!
Christine: I appreciate you being my first guest. I’ll list all the ways people can find you on TikTok and get involved. Thank you so much, Nicole.
Nicole: Thank you.
Christine O’Brien: I appreciate all of you for tuning in to Discussing Dogs in the D podcast. Until next time, stay kind, stay curious, and give your dog a cookie for me. 🐾