Furry Friends 2023

Chip & Daryl Wiel

ORGANIZATIONS FEATURED IN THIS ISSUE

+ Almost There Rescue

+ Arizona Humane Society

+ Gabriel’s Angels

+ Hospice of the Valley

+ Hunkapi Programs

+ Liberty Wildlife

+ Lost Our Home Pet Rescue

+ Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust

+ PACC911

+ Pawsitive Friendships

+ Phoenix Herpetological Society

+ Power Paws Assistance Dogs

+ Salt River Wild Horse Management Group

+ Two Pups Wellness Fund

We Don’t Deserve Them

Thirteen years ago, my dear friend KJ adopted a Chihuahua. A few weeks after bringing her home, she discovered that Dulce was pregnant, and she was now the owner of four adorable puppies. “Every boy needs a dog,” she said, giving me the hard sell on why my then 6-year-old son needed a companion.

Fast-forward all these years, I can confidently say my buddy Tuco remains one of the best decisions my family has ever made. That little Chiweenie warms our laps, makes us laugh and is maybe the best friend we’ve ever had.

“We don’t deserve dogs,” said Lori Appleby Hoke, the production manager at Frontdoors, and I couldn’t agree more.

Of course, cats are wonderful pets, too! Our publisher Andrea Tyler Evans will regale anyone who’ll listen with stories about her awesome rescue kitties, Shelly and Sally. But the real animal lover in the Evans household is Andrea’s daughter Ellie, the proud owner of — and local expert on — Bartholomew, a bearded dragon.

Lifestyle editor Zenobia Mertel has a son who is also mad for reptiles. And digital editor Abby Petersen grew up with a painted turtle named Sonic.

Can you see why we all loved working on this issue?

The Frontdoors team is filled with animal lovers, so we’re delighted to present this special issue spotlighting the unique bond between humans and animals, as well as devoted pet lovers, posh pet products and local efforts to keep people and pets together.

Also included in these pages is the 2023 Furry Friends Resource Guide. Whether you are looking to adopt, volunteer or support local organizations, this resource is a great place to start.

We hope you’ll hug your furry friend close while reading this issue — or maybe while they swim, fly, burrow or gallop. To paraphrase Lori, whatever animals are close to your heart, we don’t deserve them.

Here’s to them!

KAREN WERNER EDITOR IN CHIEF

A FRONTDOORS MEDIA PUBLICATION FurryFriendsAZ.com

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Karen Werner

PUBLISHER

Andrea Tyler Evans

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Lisa Pagel

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Tom Evans

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Neill Fox

DESIGNER

Cheyenne Brumlow

DIGITAL EDITOR & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Abby Petersen

CHIEF OF STAFF & PRODUCTION MANAGER

Lori Appleby Hoke

LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Zenobia Mertel

CONTRIBUTORS

Traci Chandler, owner of Oh, Sugar Events + Paperie

Julie Coleman

FRONTDOORS TV HOST AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER

Carey Peña

SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Lindsay Green Robyn Lambert

Lisa Grannis

Morgan McClellan

Michelle Schneider

BEAUTY PARTNERS

Remedy Salon & Spa

The Sparkle Bar PHOTOGRAPHY

Scott Foust Studios

FRONTDOORS MEDIA ADVISORY BOARD

Latasha Causey

Russ Dickey

Rusty Foley

Sue Glawe

Sarah Krahenbuhl

Larry Lytle

Monique Porras

Brad Vynalek

SOCIETY OF CHAIRS ADVISORS

Deborah Bateman

Linda Herold

On

Terra Schaad, founder and executive director of Hunkapi Programs

Photo by Scott Foust

Ma gazi ne

Help end pet overpopulation and homelessness

Fix, adopt, and save to reduce pet overpopulation, increase adoptions, reduce euthanasia and encourage responsible pet ownership.

The following organizations spay and neuter animals as well as offer wellness programs for owned pets and trap-neuter-return programs for community cats.

Altered Tails Barnhart Clinic (www.alteredtails.org)

Animal Defense League of Arizona (www.adlaz.org)

Arizona Humane Society (www.azhumane.org)

Dogs can have two litters a year with an average of six to 10 puppies per litter.

ONE YEAR

Cats can have three litters a year with an average of four to six kittens per litter.

Animal Defense League of Arizona (www.adlaz.org)

Arizona Humane Society (www.azhumane.org)

HALO Animal Rescue (www.halorescue.org)

Maricopa County Animal Care & Control (www.maricopa.gov/pets)

PACC 911 (https://pacc911.org)

ONE YEAR

For information about volunteering and fostering animals, visit www. fixadoptsave.org/get-involved.

ninapulliamtrust.org

JOHN O,HURLEY

Actor, author and animal lover

BY KAREN WERNER

You’ve

hosted The National Dog Show

Presented by Purina every year since 2002. Why do you keep coming back year after year?

My wife and I look at the day, which is usually around Nov. 18 or 19 in sPhiladelphia, as the greatest day of the year. We get to spend it with 2,000 of the besttrained dogs in the country — over 200 breeds! The energy is always powerful and upbeat.

Why do you think dogs are so special?

Dogs give off wonderful vibrations, and I think we, as humans, pick them up. When you’re in an elevator with 10 people and one dog, everybody focuses on the dog. He makes everybody smile, and everybody’s got something nice to say. Dogs do wonderful things for us.

Are you a dog owner yourself?

We’ve always had a dog. I wrote in my first book that I’m a better person with a dog in my lap. Right now, we have two rescues and a purebred that we’ve had for about 14 years.

You’re famous for playing J. Peterman on “Seinfeld,” and you’re a part owner of the company today. Do people mistake you for the real J. Peterman?

I refer to it as the world’s greatest act of identity theft. For the many years that the real John Peterman and I were on the board of directors of the J. Peterman Company together, we would have our board meetings in New York. He and I would go out for lunch and walk up Madison Avenue. Sure enough, it wouldn’t be more than 50 feet before some cop would roll down his window and scream, “Hey, Peterman!” And he was talking to me, not John Peterman.

A new generation became familiar with you from “Dancing with the Stars.” What has that been like?

Yeah, I’ve been lucky to put my fingers through the belt loops of some incredible franchises. Starting with “Seinfeld,” then “Dancing with the Stars,” “To Tell the Truth,” “Family Feud” and then finally, the National Dog Show. Any one of them would make a career, and I’ve been lucky to join a long rumba line with all of them.

Out of all your credits — you’ve hosted game shows, voiced animated characters, written three bestselling books and put out two albums — is there a highlight?

I had a Broadway career for 15 years. I did over 2,000 performances as the lead in “Chicago” on Broadway, and over 1,000 as King Arthur in Monty Python’s “Spamalot” on Broadway and also in Vegas. I think my stay in Las Vegas, when I was doing King Arthur for two years at the Wynn Theater, was one of the most remarkable times in my life.

What made that role so special?

I was doing “Family Feud” at the same time, so I was flying back and forth twice a day to get those things accomplished. It was also shortly after the birth of my son, so it was a wonderful, emotionally fulfilling period. To have a newborn grow up backstage was fun, too, because he picked up a lot. I think a lot of his personality comes from being around colorful people.

You’ve been involved with the nonprofit Childhelp for many years and come to Arizona frequently for it. How did you get involved with the organization?

Through going to their Drive the Dream fundraising gala. Once invited, I was overwhelmed by the calling that these two women have taken on in their lives — the challenge of becoming the most forceful child abuse resistance in America — in the world, actually. It’s extraordinary what they’ve accomplished with the millions of kids they have saved over the 60-plus years they’ve been doing it.

John O’Hurley has hosted The National Dog Show Presented by Purina® each year on Thanksgiving Day since it debuted in 2002. He is joined by David Frei, a licensed judge for the American Kennel Club, who serves as the analyst.

9

When you come to Arizona, what do you like to do?

I married into a golf family, so golf is a big part of our dynamic. My wife’s parents have a place at the Biltmore Estates, so golf is always in the mix.

10

You’ve written three books of dog-related observations. What’s the most important lesson dogs have taught you?

If you look at all the stress in human life, it’s always because we are too concerned about the future or too worried about the past. Dogs live in the present moment and help to quiet us down. When you have your hands on a dog’s back, just quietly petting them, you have a tendency not to think in terms of time. You let the present experience become what’s important.

O’Hurley’s witty books reveal how his love of dogs has impacted his life.

PUPPY RAISERS NEEDED

OUR MISSION: To provide highly skilled assistance dogs to people with disabilities, education, and continuing support for working assistance dog teams, and to be a resource in the community for people with disabilities.

• Puppies are 2-11 months

• We will provide training

• We will provide Kennel, Food, Toys, and Veterinary Care

• Volunteer must be at least 25 years old with a valid ID

• Time commitment: 6 month – 1 year

1

There is no cure for the children and adults Power Paws serves.

2 100% percent of your time will go toward training assistance dogs for disabled children or adults.

3

Each client we serve is faced with the financial burden associated with managing their healthcare for the rest of their life.

4 Trained service dogs annually support 2,440 child survivors of domestic or sexual abuse through victims advocate programs.

5 Your time is a priceless gift to a family in need of a service dog.

6 The gift of your volunteerism will improve the quality of life for a disabled child or adult.

REMOVE BARRIERS. EMPOWER PEOPLE FOR INDEPENDENCE.

Provide an assistance dog for a disabled child or adult.

VOLUNTEER TODAY: volunteers@azpowerpaws.org

ARIZONA CHARITABLE TAX CREDIT (CQO 20717)

O’Hurley with his wife, Lisa, their son, Will, and two of their beloved dogs.

Paws-itively

Divine

BY ZENOBIA MERTEL

Bubble Cat Carrier Backpack | $79.99 Sherpa, Petco, several Valley locations petco.com

Seed Saver Domed Bird Feeder | $29.49

Droll Yankees, Chewy chewy.com

Pet Choker | $500 Gucci, Scottsdale gucci.com

Matching Thermal Pet & Human Pajamas | $39.50 each

Pottery Barn, several Valley locations potterybarn.com

Rodent’s Timothy Hay & Wood Treat & Chew | $4.99

Full Cheeks, PetSmart, several Valley locations petsmart.com

Fiona Dog Bed | $1,850

Haute House, Neiman Marcus, Scottsdale neimanmarcus.com

French Poodle Tige Boule Barrette | $24

France Luxe franceluxe.com

Chewy Vuiton Ombre Bone Dog Toy | $29

Luv Luxe, Scottsdale luvluxe.com

Equine 3-D Air-Mesh Fleece-Lined Half Pad | $119.99

Kavallerie mykavallerie.com

Imagine the extraordinary classmates your child will meet.

Learning animal science and the spirit of volunteerism firsthand at the Arizona Humane Society. It’s just one way we create unique student experiences that feed a sense of inquiry, reflection, action, and discovery.

Welcoming all faiths and practices, Phoenix Friends School offers a learning environment rooted in Quaker values. We encourage a whole-student approach that champions academic excellence and spiritual depth. Visit PhoenixFriendsSchool.org for more information.

Grades

SoFetch!

Lisa Shover Kackley celebrates her dog Dassher in a doggone fun way

BY KAREN WERNER

STYLING BY TRACI CHANDLER OF OH, SUGAR! EVENTS + PAPERIE

There’s nothing quite like the unconditional love of a dog. And when you love furry friends as much as Lisa Shover Kackley, a puppy party is sure to be a tail-wagging great time. Shover Kackley and her 3-year-old black German Shepard, Dassher, are huge supporters of our animal community. Shover Kackley is a trustee of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust, which supports animals and nature as part of its mission, and she and Dassher recently chaired Arizona Science Center’s Galaxy Gala to support the new exhibit, Dogs! A Science Tail.

So, when Shover Kackley asked Traci Chandler, the owner of Oh, Sugar! Events + Paperie, to help her create a party for her four-legged friend, Chandler unleashed her creativity and designed something to howl about.

Photos by Scott Foust

Get a Tail Count

Creating an invitation gets guests excited to come, sit, stay and play. Not only do paper invites prepare two- and four-legged friends for a fun romp in the grass, they also offer you a chance to design a party theme, which eases the planning process. Create something that reflects your style, whether it’s whimsical, traditional or paws-itively pretty. And have fun with it! It’s a pet party, after all.

Tail-Wagging Fun

When setting the table for dogs, the rules don’t apply. This is your chance to get wild and waggy. Chandler featured a child-height table so the dogs could walk up to the table for a nibble. She found travel pet feeders, set them on placemats made of artificial grass, filled each bowl with kibble, and set a freshly baked dog bone at each place setting. And make sure to have water on hand, so the dogs stay hydrated.

Chandler also created custom place cards for each furry friend and placed them on individual blue pots planted with fresh ranunculus. She recommends using plantable flowers because once the party is over, you can plant them in your garden for a vivid memory of a great day.

Celebrate Your Pup in Style

Chandler finds design inspiration in color schemes from invitation suites she creates for events. Dassher’s invitation featured bright primary colors, so the blooms that brought life to the party needed to pop. For a lively element, she adorned each vase with a puppy chew toy and brightly colored tennis balls.

Tails Down, Bottoms Up

We love all things dog-related, and that includes a dogthemed cocktail bar. A trip to the grocery store proved the perfect solution. Chandler curated several wines and beers that featured canine branding for a festive look at the bar. A signature cocktail is always a hit, and the ever-popular “Salty Dog” was the perfect fresh cocktail for Dassher’s soiree.

Catering to All Creatures Great and Small

We know pooches have giant appetites, but our twolegged friends do too. Chandler created a pup-inspired charcuterie board featuring cheese cut into canine shapes, carrots carved like dog bones and other tasty nibbles. She also served hot dogs and paw-tato chips in bags printed to match the party invitation. Dog bone pup-peroni dippers were also a hit — phyllo dough stuffed with mozzarella and pepperoni formed in the shape of dog bones and served with marinara. Sweet treats included shortbread cookies dipped and decorated like dog bones, bone-inspired rice crispy treats and sweet-and-salty puppy chow.

Belly Rubs and Tail Wags

A doggie treat bar takes the doggie bag to the next level. You can easily create a jolly guest experience by compiling some of your dog’s favorite treats to share with their furry friends. Chandler used pretty glass canisters to stash dog treats and fresh-baked dog cookies. Each guest got to create a to-go bag full of treats and toys for their precious pooch. Chandler also found pre-packaged puppy kits with essentials for traveling with pups. Tying a cute ribbon on the box that coordinated with the rest of the décor added an extra surprise for each guest to take home.

To learn more, visit ohsugarevents.com

Photo by Scott Foust

Unbridled Love

Hunkapi provides equine-assisted programs healing mind, body and spirit

BY JULIE COLEMAN

The first thing catching your eye when arriving at the 10-acre farm in Scottsdale is the message “Open Your Heart” on the entry gate. Those words encapsulate the nonprofit’s goal of teaching the world to fear less and love more by creating experiences that allow the heart to open.

Hunkapi started in 1999 after Arizona State University conducted a three-year research study investigating the effect of sport on children with special needs. It found that of all the sports studied, horseback riding was the most positive intervention for improving self-esteem, selfconcept and attentional focus.

A decision was made to launch a communitybased therapeutic riding program grounded in the idea of interrelatedness and the responsibility that emanates from it.

Terra Schaad, the founder and executive director of Hunkapi Programs, was asked to launch the program at ASU and continued at the helm for nearly 10 years, until the university canceled the program during the 2008 recession. Schaad took the opportunity to form a nonprofit, shifting the program’s focus from children with special needs to those who have experienced trauma.

The name Hunkapi [hun-kah-pee] is from the Lakota

“This was a mid-career crisis for me as I evaluated if I had it in me to start this all over again and whether there was anything else I would rather be doing,” she said. “Regardless of how hard I thought this would be, I had to muster the energy to rebuild.” And rebuild she did, with Schaad immediately selling or placing 21 of the 25 horses from the previous program and working as the sole employee out of her garage.

Schaad’s love and appreciation for horses lie at her core, and she attributes their impact to saving her life. A neighbor, who Schaad viewed as a grandfather, opened his farm in Illinois to the poor country kids and allowed them to claim

one of his horses as their own. As she didn’t have a strong family unit growing up, this experience changed the trajectory of Schaad’s life, giving her a sense of freedom, the ability to escape and take care of herself, and assertiveness.

“They created a community around me, and those horse people grew to be my family,” she said. “I loved what horses gave to me and how everything melted away when I was around them. I could find a sense of safety, and in that sense of safety, I had capacity to dream and hope, despite what happened in my background.”

Native American tribe, meaning “we are all related.”

Photo by Jillian Rivera Photography

Hitting One’s Stride

Fast-forward more than two decades, and you will now find Schaad and her husband, Rob Chavarry, residing on-site at Hunkapi Farm with 35 horses and 52 farm animals that serve as therapeutic aids, including donkeys, chickens, cows, pigs, dogs, cats and a goat. The organization has grown beyond solely horse therapy to provide equine-assisted programs to 300 people per week that include therapeutic riding for children or adults with special needs with a goal of recreation; life skills for children and adults, teaching social skills, boundary setting and assertiveness; and psychotherapy with masters-level therapists addressing clinical goals, such as decreasing symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Hunkapi’s First Responder Program, now in its 14th cohort, starts to change the culture within the first-responder community and the belief systems around PTSD by helping program participants understand the effect and build-up of energy resulting from regularly overriding the natural fight, flight, freeze response. Horses help first responders understand this biological response and train them how to dissipate and deactivate it from their system so they can be more ready for work the next day.

Those who aren’t interested in horses are welcome to experience the sanctuary of the farm where vegetables are grown and farm-totable dinners take place, as well as yoga and sound bowl healing. The entire farm connects people to mind, body and spirit in an experiential way. “It’s not cognitive. We’re not teaching people to be in their heads,” Schaad said. “We’re teaching them to experience something and how to integrate that into life.”

FURRY FRIENDS 2022

Photos by Jillian Rivera Photography

Getting to Know the Herd

Animals at the farm share two commonalities with clients at Hunkapi — all come from different walks of life and many, including half of the horses, have experienced trauma. The story of each horse and how it arrived at the farm is different. There are showjumpers that are now retired after what appears to be a privileged life of private grooms and flying all over the world yet have trauma from a performance bar set so high, to kill pen rescues that have been made to pull carts, have babies and been starved. Hunkapi benefits not only people, but the animals as well.

Horses are ideal for aiding in therapy because they are prey animals, with eyes on the sides of their head scanning for danger and nervous systems wired to be attuned to their surroundings. They are not loyal and indicate feeling safe by approaching humans. “When you put a human in the arena with a horse that is a prey animal, they have to internally self-regulate in order to create the desired response from the animal,” Schaad said. “The horse gives them a tool they can walk out of that arena with right away, understanding their responsibility for what they bring in the room.”

Photos by Jillian Rivera Photography

Galloping Toward the Future

Hunkapi will continue to go the distance, thanks to the generous hearts and hands of 75 to 100 volunteers on a weekly basis who take care of the horses, serve as instructional aides, or roll up their sleeves to plant gardens or build a fence. The organization’s greatest ongoing need is volunteers, and a wide array of opportunities are offered for those 14 and older.

Schaad has future goals for healing not just in Arizona, but eventually spanning the globe. Hunkapi’s somatic approach to equine healing is now formalized and copyrighted. The curriculum will be available to practitioners, and continuing education units offered when Hunkapi trains clinical staff on how to use the methodology in their own practices.

As Schaad continues to pour her heart into the farm, animals, programs and Hunkapi’s clients, she is unwavering in her commitment to offering engaging experiences to an entire community. “I want people to know we are here,” she said. “I want us to be Arizona’s farm.”

To learn more, visit hunkapi.org.

Photo by Scott Foust

Meeting the Challenge

Lost Our Home Pet Rescue expands impact across Arizona

BY TOM EVANS

“Oh God, so much has changed.”

That’s how Jodi Polanski, the founder and executive director of Lost Our Home Pet Rescue, describes the past few years. Some of that change is for the good; some not so much.

Lost Our Home was founded as a no-kill shelter in 2008 by Polanski, a former mortgage broker who witnessed people losing their homes in the fallout of the housing crisis.

The work extended beyond people who were unfortunate in the real estate market to those in the kinds of crisis that might lead them to abandon their pets.

So when 2020 rolled around, Polanski and her team saw many of the same challenges they saw in 2008. And as the pandemic slowed, the foreclosures seen in 2008 were mirrored by the evictions of 2021 and 2022.

“We haven’t seen as many abandoned pets this time

around, but there are a lot of stray pets right now,” she said. “People are just letting the dogs and cats loose outside, versus leaving them in homes.”

But Lost Our Home was nimble enough to get through the pandemic by expanding its foster programs and identifying ways to integrate itself into the community. As a result, it’s now enjoying a couple of significant growth opportunities.

First, they are taking a formerly leased space in their Tempe building and constructing a 4,000-square-foot pet clinic, allowing them to care for animals in-house as well as providing a new resource for pet owners in the community that may not be able to afford full vet care and training.

“It’ll be really great because right now, we have to load up all our pets into a van and transfer them to a veterinarian a few times a week,” Polanski said. “It’s a lot of work and a lot of stress on the animals, so having our own clinic will alleviate all of that.”

Once capacity ramps up at the clinic, the plan is to launch services such as low-cost pet vaccine clinics, pet training and dental care for the public, areas that are a significant need in the community.

But the biggest opportunity is on the open road. Lost Our Home and partner agencies Arizona Pet Project and Heidi’s Village just received a $1.5 million grant from the State of Arizona to take their programs and services statewide, including into rural and disadvantaged communities.

“We’ll be taking our temporary care program statewide, and we’re also going to be starting a daycare for the first time — like a day-boarding program for people who are homeless. But if they want to go to work, for example, there’s a place to bring their pet,” Polanski said.

Lost Our Home has also had a particular focus on working with victims of domestic violence, including partnerships with Sojourner Center and A New Leaf, both

organizations that aid individuals and families working to escape domestic abuse.

“We’ve worked with domestic violence for almost 15 years,” she said. “We were one of the first organizations in the nation to have that kind of experience. Even with our temporary care program, we were the first in the nation to have that program. Now, we help organizations around the country start the program up and give them advice.”

Funding is always an issue for nonprofits, as is inflation — both from a payroll standpoint and the literal price of dog food, which Polanski said has gone up dramatically over the past few years.

“Our mission is helping people and pets in crisis,” she said. “We’re helping the most vulnerable people and pets in our society, and that’s an expensive endeavor. It’s not the easy cases that come and go — it’s the domestic violence victims, it’s the homeless, people who are really in crisis.”

But Polanski said there’s been a great deal of progress in the animal rescue world since she began working in it 15 years ago.

“There are a lot more resources now than there were in 2008, and a lot more understanding about the human-animal bond,” she said. “This idea has come into a great place in animal welfare and among human welfare agencies and government agencies. People understand the connection in the human-animal bond, and they want to try to keep pets and people together.”

To learn more, visit lostourhome.org

“People understand the connection in the human-animal bond, and they want to try to keep pets and people together.”

ONLY 3% OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS WELCOME PETS —

NEW LIFE CENTER IS ONE

At New Life Center, pets reside in the casita with families — not boarded in a separate kennel area — and freely play in New Life Center’s dog park.

50% of assault survivors reportedly delay or refuse to leave a dangerous situation for fear of what could happen to a beloved pet left behind, so welcoming pets eliminates a substantial barrier to seeking safety.

New Life Center needs your help, so we can continue to help others.

DONATE TODAY BY SCANNING THE QR CODE!

A Day With

MEGAN WIEWEL

Executive director of

Almost There: A Mom + Pups Rescue

BY JULIE COLEMAN

BACKYARD BEGINNINGS

Almost There Rescue was founded in 2013 by Geri Hormel, who was fostering and volunteering for various rescue organizations throughout the Valley. She saw the greatest needs were space and time for nursing moms and puppies. Geri wanted to provide this and started with one litter in her backyard, which snowballed into a few and continued to grow and operate from an old home before moving to our current building a little more than two years ago. I got involved with the rescue in 2017 as a foster and volunteer. My involvement quickly grew because I saw such a large need and wanted to do whatever I could.

6:30

A.M. >> PUPPY PRIORITY

We have appointments at the rescue as early as 7 a.m., so I begin my day by checking my messages to make sure the dogs are back from their foster and made it to their spay or neuter appointments before I head outside with my dog, Coco. I recently moved close to the Phoenix Mountain Preserve, and I like to hike with her. Hiking is a way to clear my head and a nice start to my day. Coco is a big part of my life, and I like giving her as much attention as possible, especially on those long days at the rescue when she is home alone. I try to get all my administrative work done from home because once I am at the rescue, it’s all hands on deck, and I focus on the pressing issues there. Animal rescue is rarely linear, and I thrive in trying to modify the puzzle when the pieces don’t fit perfectly. My position is very creative, as every day is different and full of unique challenges that require innovative solutions.

8 A.M. >> A TEAM THAT WORKS FOR THE DOGS

I touch base with each of the eight department heads every day, as well as our animal care specialists, to find out what is happening with the dogs in their respective areas. Since the rescue is a maternity ward for dogs, we have two animal care specialists for the two different sides of our facility — a quarantine side and the well side. All dogs go through a two-week quarantine process when they come into our care because we have a susceptible population and are careful not to spread disease.

Our management team meets on a biweekly basis, and on the alternate week, we meet with each team member individually. But every day, I connect with the team informally, talking through things a person is going through at that moment. Sometimes these conversations happen on the fly, such as while we are walking to the med room talking through a medical case or in the kennel while working on behavior with a shy dog.

10:30

A.M. >> WHAT’S IN A NAME

We regularly coordinate intakes throughout Arizona, including the county shelters and rescue organizations near reservations. Processing intake is a significant task and includes several team members, because it involves vaccinating, giving the dog a bath, conducting behavior and medical evaluations and taking cute photos. We name every dog, and it can be difficult to name 14 dogs at the same time! We pick names by a theme to stay organized. There are a million themes out there, from TV shows and flowers to sandwiches and Disney characters. We’re always accepting ideas, so if anyone knows good theme names for dogs, we’re in the market!

12:30

P.M. >> KEEPING THE FAMILY TOGETHER

A big part of our work is stopping the cycle of people with dogs that have accidentally gotten pregnant. It’s overwhelming, and a lot of work for a person or family. We’re lucky to have the resources to take these dogs, help raise the puppies and get them all spayed or neutered. One of our new services is a maternity leave program that allows members of the public with an accidental litter to bring their dog to us. We take temporary ownership of the dog, give them medical care, raise the puppies until they’re weaned, get them spayed or neutered and then return the dog to the owner after it’s been spayed or neutered. Sometimes people don’t have the resources or the money to get their dogs spayed or neutered, and we want to be able to help. It feels good to stop the cycle.

2

P.M. >> A DOG HAS ITS DAY

I like to work from our front lobby because I can see what’s going on everywhere, and this is where most movement occurs. It is fun and rewarding to watch excited people come in, disappear into the adoption room and then leave with a new family member. It’s common for adoption appointments to take place on one day because a litter, ranging from three to 14 puppies, will become adoptable at the same time. We provide extensive counseling with potential adopters that includes a complete profile of the dog, so when adopters take them home, they understand who this dog was before they got them and can help them grow into the best dog they can be. We pride ourselves on our Puppy Preschool, a socialization and enrichment program, beginning from the time they come to us until they leave our care. We work with the puppies every day, exposing them to positive experiences — sight, sound, textures — helping them develop into well-rounded dogs that are adaptable, adoptable and fit well with their families.

6 P.M. >> WORKING YOUR TAIL OFF FOR A CAUSE

My workday does not end at the shelter. I come home and spend a few hours tying up loose ends, whether answering emails, fulfilling administrative promises I’ve made to my team or helping with anything pressing for that day before I wind down for the night. One of the things I do to relax is walk with Coco and hang out with her. The rescue doesn’t close until 9 p.m., so I continue to pay attention to what is happening. My job is 24/7, and this includes making sure everything gets closed and the dogs are well at the end of the night.

One thing I’ve learned over the past five-and-ahalf years is that it is easy to get caught up and feel like you’re not giving enough, because this is emotional, heart-wrenching work. We’re a small but mighty team with a passion for dogs and a desire to make a dent in the homeless dog population. We will work ourselves to the bone, so it’s important to me that my team understands that self-care is essential, and a separation is needed between work and play.

To learn more, go to almostthererescue.org.

Photo courtesy of Almost There Rescue

ALMOST THERE RESCUE

Almost There Rescue is a nonprofit that specializes in helping homeless pregnant and nursing dogs and puppies. While dogs are at the center of what ATR does, ATR is also about people. Volunteers, adopters, fosters, donors and partners make this important work possible. Together, we are accomplishing bigger things, elevating the greater community and saving more lives. Our vision for the future is bright!

Thank you, Wrigley Mansion, for sponsoring this listing and supporting Almost There Rescue’s mission: to save mama dogs and pups, provide care and enrichment, and find loving, forever homes.

2611 E. Indian School Road

Phoenix, AZ 85016

call: (480) 336-9860 visit: almostthererescue.org

ARIZONA HUMANE SOCIETY

The Arizona Humane Society saves the most vulnerable animals and enriches the lives of pets and people. As the safety net for our community’s sick, injured and abused pets, AHS saves lives through some of the most innovative programs in the country: aggressive spay/neuter initiatives; comprehensive medical care in AHS’s trauma hospital and intensive care units; rescue and cruelty investigations by AHS’s Emergency Animal Medical Technicians™ and a Pet Resource Center that helps keep pets in loving homes. The life of every pet saved is the direct result of gifts from thousands of friends, partners and donors.

1521 W. Dobbins Road

Phoenix, AZ 85041

call: (602) 997-7585 visit: azhumane.org

GABRIEL’S ANGELS

Through the life-changing power of pet therapy, Gabriel’s Angels enhances the social and emotional development of vulnerable children. Our work is driven by a passionate belief that the unconditional love of a pet can heal a child. Pet therapy visits to vulnerable children in places like Title I schools, homeless shelters, group homes and behavioral health facilities have a positive impact on helping children heal. Therapy teams, consisting of an owner and their pet, offer unconditional love and teach empathy, respect, confidence and other core behaviors that children might not learn through traditional channels. Our services are free as a direct result of gifts from our donors and volunteers.

727 E. Bethany Home Road, Suite C-100

Phoenix, AZ 85014

call: (602) 266-0875 visit: gabrielsangels.org

HOSPICE OF THE VALLEY

Hospice of the Valley’s pet therapy teams bring joy to everyone they meet. As soon as they walk into a room, our patients and families feel better. There is something very comforting about the unconditional love that pets freely give — not to mention all of the precious cuddles, tail wags and wet kisses! Our cheerful teams visit our patients in homes, group homes, independent and assisted living communities, inpatient care homes, nursing facilities, trade shows and expos. Suitable pets include dogs, cats, bunnies and miniature horses with a current pet therapy certification.

1510 E. Flower St. Phoenix, AZ 85014

call: (602) 636-6336 visit: hov.org/volunteer/pet-therapy

LIBERTY WILDLIFE

A 42-year-old volunteer-driven wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organization with a national impact, Liberty Wildlife extends our expertise with native wildlife beyond furry animals to feathered and scaled species. We strive to provide high-quality environmental education, conservation projects for the community, expert medical rehabilitation of ill and injured wildlife, and demonstrate best sustainability practices — preventing human-wildlife conflict, promoting appreciation of nature, and preserving Native American and Southwest cultural heritage. Ongoing activities support this mission and also provide a beautiful setting for hosting personal and corporate events.

2600 E. Elwood St. Phoenix, AZ 85040

call: (480) 998-5550 visit: libertywildlife.org

PACC911

PACC911 brings together more than 100 animal welfare organizations throughout Arizona to create a potent animal rescue community that works together under a unified umbrella. We provide education, adopt-a-thons and medical assistance to our rescue partners for animals they rescue that are sick, injured or neglected. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube: @PACC911. Please save the date for our signature fundraising event, “Glimmer of Hope,” on Nov. 12, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at JW Marriott Camelback Inn. Contact us via email with any questions.

10645 N. Tatum Blvd., Ste. 200-516 Phoenix, AZ 85028

email: info@pacc911.org visit: pacc911.org

PAWSITIVE FRIENDSHIPS

Pawsitive Friendships was founded in 2014 by Tosha Tharp-Gaitanis, the mother of a son with autism. She discovered that she increased his progress by incorporating her French bulldog, Zoe, into her son’s therapy. This model became the inspiration for our organization. Our mission is to assist individuals with special needs who are not adequately progressing toward their goals by providing animal-assisted therapy. Our programs work with local special education schools, pediatric clinics and adult day programs. Contact us to learn how your dog, cat, pig, mini horse, alpaca, bird, reptile and more can make a pawsitive impact.

3317 S. Higley Road, Suite 114-778

Gilbert, AZ 85297

call: (480) 353-7833 visit: pawsitivefriendships.org

POWER PAWS ASSISTANCE DOGS

Our mission is to provide highly skilled assistance dogs to people with disabilities, education and continuing support for working assistance dog teams, and to be a resource in the community for people with disabilities. We provide service dogs for disabled children or adults with physical challenges, Type I diabetes, PTSD or facilities serving sexual or domestic abuse survivors. Our community outreach includes summer camp or reading programs for kids and social engagement visits with seniors/ veterans. Power Paws is one of three agencies in Arizona accredited by Assistance Dogs International to place dogs in specialized areas.

8250 E. Rose Lane

Scottsdale, AZ 85250

call: (480) 970-1322 visit: azpowerpaws.org

SALT RIVER WILD HORSE MANAGEMENT GROUP

The Salt River Wild Horse Management Group is an Arizona-based nonprofit dedicated to monitoring, studying and protecting the Salt River wild horses. Our goal is and always has been freedom, protection and humane management of this treasured historic and recreational resource. We have had a steady daily presence in the Tonto National Forest, where the Salt River wild horses have resided for many years. With your support, we can purchase fencing materials to keep horses off the roads, fund our education campaigns, help us fund humane management and pay for the rescue of suffering wild horses when needed.

P.O. Box 64264

Phoenix, AZ 85082

call: (480) 868-9301 visit: saltriverwildhorsemanagementgroup.org

TWO PUPS WELLNESS FUND

Two Pups Wellness Fund was launched in 2017 with a mission to help save the lives of ill, injured, abandoned and neglected animals through animal shelters and rescue organizations. Our vision is to stop the unnecessary suffering and euthanasia of treatable animals by helping to alleviate the financial burden on the rescue community and allow pets to receive the care they need to return to a healthy, pain-free life. To date, Two Pups has proudly helped more than 10,000 animals. Through its dedication to funding medical care and microchips, we are saving lives.

4130 N. Marshall Way

Scottsdale, AZ 85251

call: (480) 490-7136 visit: twopups.org

LISTING SPONSORED BY BHHS LEGACY FOUNDATION

LET’S ROLL!

The Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary — the largest reptile sanctuary in the U.S. — was founded in 2001 by three enthusiasts who wanted to make a difference for reptiles in Arizona. Today, the nonprofit is a fully operational rescue and rehabilitation center with an onsite reptile clinic and research center in northern Scottsdale.

Scooter is one of the more unique animals at the sanctuary. He is missing his back left leg. Though the sanctuary has other animals with amputations, he is the only one with a wheel mounted on his shell. At first, staff worried that it wouldn’t work in the sand, but the wheel has held up well, and they look forward to having Scooter for many years to come.

To learn more, go to phoenixherp.com

Animal print is always in style.

My Sister’s Closet and its family of brands has given over $1 million to the Arizona Humane Society to help save homeless pets.

Where would you rather consign and shop?