Story #40: Poppy’s Journey to Becoming Fearless
As told by Laura Pierson, Adopter & Volunteer
A Scared Little Pup
In the fall of 2021, I went to Anderson Humane to pick up a foster pup. The moment she stepped out of the van, she crawled under it, shaking and terrified. I crawled under myself to coax her out, and finally brought her home. She was so shut down that we couldn’t even put a leash on her, and she was too scared to go outside to potty.
We decided to keep her and named her Poppy. That small decision completely changed both our lives.
I worked with Poppy for weeks, helping her manage her anxiety with the limited training knowledge I had.
Some days felt impossible, but she taught me the value of patience, consistency, and unconditional love. Eventually, I hired a professional trainer who guided us with kindness and expertise, helping Poppy slowly overcome her fears.
I was so inspired by what our trainer taught us that I decided to learn everything I could about dog behavior and training. Eventually, I passed the exam to become a certified professional dog trainer myself.
Poppy taught me so much about patience, love, and never giving up.
Today, she is a fearless squirrel chaser who loves treats, scritches, and bully sticks. She is confident, playful, and full of love. I am so glad we stuck with her through the hard days, because the reward has been more than I could have imagined.
Anderson Humane has always been an important part of my life.
Not only did they give me the chance to meet Poppy, but they also gave me the inspiration to grow as a trainer and volunteer. Every animal there deserves someone to care, advocate, and love them, and every volunteer, donor, or adopter has the power to make that happen.
Poppy found safety and courage, and in return, she gave me purpose, growth, and endless love.
Do you have a story about how Anderson Humane changed your life?
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Ready to start your own rescue story?
Meet adoptable animals at Anderson Humane by visiting ahconnects.org/adopt, or help make the next 60 stories possible by donating in honor of our 60th Anniversary.
Interested in becoming a Volunteer?
Visit ahconnects.org/volunteer/ for more information on how you can get involved.
