Second Wind: Stephanie Snook

After a decades-long career working for the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Stephanie Snook has changed gears, but not pace, and volunteers cuddling babies at the NICU at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene.

Section:Gallery

UPDATED: Tue., Aug. 20, 2019

“It calms you,“ said Stephanie Snook as she holds Ethan Madruga in NICU at Kootenai Health during her shift as a Cuddler on June 5, 2019. Cuddler volunteers provide comfort and care for babies and help staff members meet the special needs of babies and their families.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
“I’ve always volunteered somewhere, “ said Stephanie Snook as she holds Ethan Madruga in the NICU at Kootenai Health during her shift as a Cuddler on June 5, 2019. Cuddler volunteers provide comfort and care for babies and help staff members meet the special needs of babies and their families. Stephanie, 63, retired in 2011 a as Planning and Environmental Coordinator from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and has been volunteering every since.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Stephanie Snook prepares for her shift as a Cuddler in NICU at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene on July 17, 2019. Cuddler volunteers provide comfort and care for babies and help staff members meet the special needs of babies and their families.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
“This is the best job in the world, “ said Stephanie Snook as she straitens out her uniform before her shift as a Cuddler in NICU at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’Alene on July 17, 2019. Cuddler volunteers provide comfort and care for babies and help staff members meet the special needs of babies and their families.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo
Stephanie Snook holds Ethan Madruga in NICU at Kootenai Health during her shift as a Cuddler on June 5, 2019. Cuddler volunteers provide comfort and care for babies and help staff members meet the special needs of babies and their families.

Kathy Plonka The Spokesman-Review Buy this photo