Story #7 of 60: Aaron’s First Home
As told by his Foster, Christine Vivacqua
In February of 2025, the Anderson Humane training team asked if I could foster a dog named Aaron. He was a very scared, shut-down two-year-old who had not been adjusting after arriving on transport from Mississippi. Most days, Aaron would only leave his kennel once, and some days he would not come out at all. He barely ate and spent his time curled into a ball, shaking.
I later learned that Aaron and his siblings had grown up in the source shelter. He had spent his entire life in a shelter environment and had never lived in a home. Knowing that broke my heart, and I decided to foster him.
When Aaron came home, he bonded almost immediately with my shepherd mix, Indiana. With two other dogs already in the house, Aaron suddenly had three dog siblings. The first few days were hard, but slowly he began to change. Over time, he blossomed into a happy, confident dog, and it was incredible to watch him experience life in a home for the first time.
Aaron even turned three while he was with us, and we celebrated with a birthday party complete with hats and a cake. He spent 116 days in our home, and I loved watching his progress every single day. In his adoptive home, he still has three dog siblings and is truly thriving.
The fact that Aaron was nearly three years old before ever living in a home will always stay with me. I feel honored to have shown him love, patience, and what it means to feel safe. Aaron was my second foster, but my first underconfident dog, and he taught me how much resident dogs can help another dog heal. Because of him, I went on to foster another dog just like him, and we were able to help again.
I hope Aaron’s story inspires someone to open their home, even temporarily.
Fostering truly saves lives, and Aaron is a testament to that.
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 starting your own Foster Journey?
Visit us at ahconnects.org/foster-2/ for more information or email fosters@ahconnects.org
