Once upon a time… 📖 We asked our adopters to submit their #PetcoLoveStories. We’re excited to announce that Lisa + Willow have helped us earn a $10,000 grant award from our friends at Petco Love and BOBS® from Skechers® to help us save even more pet lives!
“I often found myself reflecting on the time I shared with Maddie, my beloved Puggle. Maddie had been my constant furry companion for 15 years. But in the midst of the pandemic, I faced the heartbreaking loss of my faithful friend. It was a wound that ran deep. I couldn’t fathom how to heal it.
Time passed. The emptiness Maddie left behind seemed impossible to fill. I was reluctant to adopt another dog. I questioned if any pup could ever fill the hole in my heart left by Maddie’s loss.
A year later, something happened that changed my life. One evening, my daughter and I scrolled through the adoptable dogs on the Anderson Humane website. We saw a photograph that caught our eye. It was the face of a dog named Midge (now Willow). Her soulful eyes looked at us and we knew she was the one for us. Willow’s presence, even in a photograph, was undeniably compelling.
I contacted Anderson Humane and arranged to meet the dog that tugged at our hearts. As soon as I locked eyes with Willow’s, there was an unspoken connection. Willow’s gentle demeanor and the way she nuzzled my hand convinced me she was meant to be ours. Soon after Willow joined our family, a new opportunity presented itself. My daughter brought home a flyer about Anderson Humane’s Healing Paws program. This program certifies animals as compassion animals.
Willow passed the assessment with flying colors! Her calm and affectionate nature made her an ideal companion for those in need of comfort and joy. Our first Healing Paws assignment was a visit to an assisted living facility.
I had undergone cancer surgery two weeks prior and was still on the mend, but the experience of bringing Willow to visit the seniors proved to be incredibly healing for me also. As I watched the elderly residents’ faces brighten with smiles while hearing their stories about pets from their past, I felt a sense of purpose and connection.
Our healing visits continued, becoming a regular part of both our lives. We still visit the seniors monthly and have formed lasting bonds with them. We now visit a homeless shelter twice a month, providing comfort to those facing life’s challenges.
Working with staff at my daughter’s elementary school, we started a program to help reduce the anxiety so many children have experienced post-pandemic. Every Friday morning Willow greets over 300 elementary students as they arrive at school. They give her a pat on the head or a gentle hug, and in return, Willow provides a sense of calming energy.
In the face of loss, I found a new connection through Willow. Together, we touch countless people’s lives, providing love, solace, and smiles to those seeking comfort. Willow’s presence not only filled the void left by Maddie but also expanded my heart in ways I could have never imagined.
Our story is a testament to the incredible bond between humans and animals and its healing powers.“
This generous grant award from Petco Love and BOBS® from Skechers® will be instrumental in helping us on our mission to continue to save more lives.