My journey into rescue began with a one pound fluff ball. While working one of my first jobs in my hometown, a guinea pig was surrendered from a hoarding situation. Her outlook was grim and several vets said she wouldn’t live more than a few months. She lived a beautiful 4 years and 6 months (time filled with piggy playdates, birthday parties, and veggie buffets) which I attribute to her resilience.

Over the years I’ve fostered rodents who’ve been overlooked and neglected due to their breed, species, or stigma against them. In each instance, I’ve been amazed by their tenacity and touched by the relationships I’ve had the privilege of forming with them.

Before moving to Virginia, I worked in a veterinary clinic in California that functioned as the primary emergency clinic for the entirety of my very rural county. My experience there was very rewarding as I had the opportunity to help and heal animals while witnessing the strength of the human-animal bond. In contrast, I also witnessed the lack of animal protection in terms of pet ownership and animal care standards. After leaving, I decided that I wanted to focus on the root of the problem by promoting and providing resources encouraging responsible pet ownership.

One of the things I admire most about Lucky Dog is our volunteers’ and staffs’ diligence to ensure no animal will have to endure the same situation they were rescued from when finding their adopters. Being a foster based rescue makes an incredible difference in the adoption of dogs and cats because it gives a clearer picture of what each animal will be like in a home while simultaneously allowing our dogs and cats to adjust to a life of love, patience, and kindness.

Every day I am fortunate to learn from our foster animals. Their ability to withstand, adapt to, and recover from adversity never ceases to amaze me. Having the capacity to bounce back, continue to function effectively despite facing hardships, and hold onto hope are core practices I attempt to emulate in my own life to make me a better friend, person, and animal advocate.