If you’ve visited Pasadena Humane over the last fifteen years, chances are you’ve seen three-time Volunteer of the Year winner Tom Ratanavaraha, leash in hand.  

A lawyer by trade, Tom has volunteered as a dog walker and socializer nearly every day since 2008 and has donated 13,000 total volunteer hours so far. That’s the hourly equivalent to roughly five years of full-time work. 

Tom has a special love for the underdogs, especially the large breed dogs like pit bulls, who tend to get a bad rap.

 Tom is honored to have been given the “once in a lifetime opportunity” to represent Pasadena Humane on our 2024 Rose Parade float. He is planning to ride on the float with an adoptable dog, who will represent the thousands of amazing dogs in shelters around the country waiting to find new homes.