Volunteering At Old Dominion Humane Society Leads To Marriage For Two Fredericksburg Couples

It was a match made while helping the rescue dogs at Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) for Devon Sivia and Madison Groves, of Fredericksburg. The two met in 2021, working together at Giant Food Grocery Store and volunteering at ODHS through school—Sivia for a scholarship at Germanna Community College and Groves for a psychology degree at the University of Mary Washington. Their love of the dogs and doing many tasks at the nonprofit organization sparked a relationship that would lead to marriage in 2024.

Photo of Devon Sivia and Madison Groves: It was a match made while helping the rescue dogs at Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) for Devon Sivia and Madison Groves, of Fredericksburg. The two met in 2021, working together at Giant Food Grocery Store and volunteering at ODHS through school—Sivia for a scholarship at Germanna Community College and Groves for a psychology degree at the University of Mary Washington. Groves (left) and Sivia take Aggy, their favorite rescue dog, for an outing. Aggy was their regular companion for coffee dates and walks, and the couple was instrumental in getting her adopted.

“We have a mutual love of animals and, while working together at ODHS, our friendship blossomed into a wonderful relationship,” said Sivia. “Meeting Madison and getting married was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

While Sivia and Groves always enjoyed their time walking the rescue dogs together, their favorite task was cleaning the facility from top to bottom. They’d share the hours cleaning kennels, washing dishes and doing the laundry to make it comfortable and clean for the residents. No small feat, the facility holds dozens of dogs, including the canines in the general population, Little Dog Land, the Puppy Side and intake, where the newest arrivals are housed while they’re vaccinated, microchipped and treated for any medical conditions. Their “dates” at ODHS proved the two could work seamlessly together over a common interest while helping the rescue dogs that come from situations, such as neglect, mistreatment and hoarding situations. For the couple and the dogs, it was a “win-win” situation.

ODHS was also instrumental for another couple’s marriage. Emily and Dave Hill, of Fredericksburg, volunteered at ODHS twice a week as a way to spend time together while helping the rescue dogs. While Emily washed dishes, Dave cleaned the rescues’ kennels, an activity they both loved. They’d take the rescues for a stroll and treats in downtown Fredericksburg, where the four-legged friends had a chance to socialize and decompress by being out of the facility for a few hours.

“We started fostering rescues when we moved in together,” said Emily. “We’d lost our dog, Kirby,

Photo of Dave Hill: Before they were married, Emily and Dave Hill, of Fredericksburg, volunteered at Old Dominion Humane Society (ODHS) twice a week as a way to spend time together while helping the rescue dogs. While Emily washed dishes, Dave cleaned the rescues’ kennels, helping to make the facility clean for the dogs and sharing an activity they both loved. Dave Hill (in photo) enjoys a visit with Naya in her kennel. Naya was Dave and Emily’s “first favorite dog” at ODHS.

and our other dog, Rex, isn’t meant to be an ‘only’ dog. He needed a friend, and fostering was a great way to give him company until we adopted another dog.”

The Hills couldn’t part with two of their foster dogs and made the decision to add them to their family and provide Rex with the companionship he craved. They adopted Herman, a happy pup who loves humans and other canines. Beth, a mother dog who had a litter of puppies, also made her way into their home and hearts.

When they were married in 2023, their rescue dogs had top billing at the wedding reception. A menu with drinks named after their dogs and drawings of the pups alongside each of them was displayed. The “Rex” was made from Isaac Bowman Bitters and simple syrup; the “Beth” contained Isaac Bowman Bitters, agave syrup and lemon juice; and the “Foster” was comprised of Tinkerman’s Citrus Supreme Gin and cranberry Ginger Ale.

“We continue to volunteer together,” said Emily. “I work the desk for adoption events on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and Dave volunteers whenever he’s able to. We also still foster.”

Little did they know, the couples were on to something that would help keep their marriages strong in the years to come. About two in three married couples—or 64 percent—believe that shared interests are important to a successful marriage, according to the Pew Research Center.

Volunteering with a partner can be a great way for both to experience the benefits of giving back, while also helping the relationship.

Are you interested in volunteering at Old Dominion Humane Society? Submit a Volunteer Application and a member of the team will email you to schedule an orientation session!