When Mike Tomasovic first said yes to volunteering with Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), he didn’t hesitate—and he hasn’t looked back since. What began as a simple introduction through a professional connection has grown into years of meaningful contribution, powered by both personal motivation and professional expertise.
“Back in 2019 I was working with Lithia Motors. Our Chief Marketing Officer Tom Dobry mentioned that DBL could use some support with their paid search campaigns under the Google Ad Grants for non-profits program,” Mike recalls. “I have a lot of respect for Tom and given his involvement with DBL I was confident they were doing good work to support people in need. It didn’t take much for me to say yes.”
That initial “yes” was rooted in trust—but what has kept Mike committed over the years runs much deeper.
Making a Positive Impact
Mike, posing with his rescue dogs Clover and Riley
For Mike, volunteering isn’t just about giving time—it’s about creating impact where it matters most.
“Supporting DBL makes me feel like I am making a positive impact on society and helping to serve communities in need,” he shares. “I feel fortunate for all that I have and want to give something back.”
His connection to DBL’s mission is also deeply personal. “My nephew has autism so I understand some of the challenges that can come with raising a child on the spectrum,” Mike explains. He also brings his own lived experience into his work. “I’m neurodivergent, having been diagnosed with ADHD in 2015. It’s not something I have been widely open about, but it is definitely a factor in my support for DBL.”
And then there’s one more piece of his “why”—a simple, universal truth: “I just love dogs!” he says. “The relationship between dogs and humans goes back thousands of years. Who doesn’t want unconditional love, loyalty, and companionship? Dogs are simply the best.” As the owner of two rescue dogs, Clover and Riley, Mike feels an added connection to DBL’s commitment to rescuing and training dogs for Service Dog work.
A Unique Way to Give Back
While many DBL volunteers work hands-on with dogs, Mike’s contribution happens in a different space—one that’s just as essential to the organization’s success.
“Advertising is what I know,” he says. “One of the main things I love about my work is helping people connect. You put the right message in front of the right audience at the right time and it’s a win-win.”
Mike has leveraged that expertise to manage and optimize DBL’s Google Ad Grant campaigns, a specialized area of digital marketing that requires both strategy and adaptability. “Non-profit organizations in the Google Ads Grant program have some restrictions on what they can do with the funds, so it requires a different approach than your typical paid advertising campaign,” he explains.
Through years of careful testing and refinement, Mike has helped DBL expand its reach and visibility.
“It’s an ongoing process of test, learn, adjust, and repeat,” he says. “We’ve had a lot of success, achieving a measurable share of impressions on hearing and autism service dog campaigns.”
His work may be behind the scenes, but its impact is far-reaching. As DBL’s fundraising efforts have increasingly moved online, Mike’s contributions have helped ensure the organization can connect with the people who need its services—and those who want to support them.
“I like to think my work has played some small part in facilitating that change,” he says.
Making Meaningful Connections
For Mike, fulfillment comes from knowing his efforts are helping bridge the gap between DBL’s mission and the people it serves.
“Knowing that I’m helping people to discover and connect with Dogs for Better Lives is fulfilling for me,” he shares. “DBL does important work, but people need to learn about it first. There’s so much noise online. Seeing the signs in the data that we’re reaching the right people allows me to share my professional expertise in a personal way.”
A Lasting Impact
Mike’s contributions have not gone unnoticed by the DBL team. His expertise, consistency, and thoughtful approach have played a key role in strengthening the organization’s digital presence and outreach efforts.
“Mike has been an incredible asset to our marketing team,” says Vice President of Marketing, Sara Ifert. “His deep knowledge of digital advertising and his willingness to continuously test and improve our campaigns have significantly expanded our reach and allow us to access the full scope of our grant. Because of his work, more people are discovering Dogs for Better Lives and connecting with our mission. We are super grateful for his partnership!”
More Than a Volunteer
Mike’s story is a powerful reminder that there are many ways to make a difference. Whether working hands-on with dogs or applying specialized skills behind the scenes, every contribution helps move the mission forward.
By helping DBL connect with the right people at the right time, he is playing a vital role in creating life-changing connections—between individuals, families, and the dogs who will transform their lives. And it all started with a simple decision to say yes.
Want to share your talents in support of our mission? Visit dogsforbetterlives.org/get-involved or email us at info@dogsforbetterlives.org.
