Puppy Love Honoree Barbara Guerra

INAUGURAL PUPPY LOVE GALA HONOREE:

Barbara Guerra

More than twenty years ago, Barbara Guerra moved to the Rio Grande Valley from Iowa – sight unseen – to take a teaching job in a local elementary school. Palm Valley Animal Society, in collaboration with Petco Love, Heal House Call Veterinarian, and other local and national companies, recently supported a three-day vaccination and microchipping event free of charge to Valley pet owners—a huge win for more than 2,000 of our furry friends in the Rio Grande Valley.

Her involvement with Palm Valley Animal Society started 17 years ago when she practically begged Charlie Meyer to let her join the Board of Directors. Charlie was skeptical and wasn’t sure Barbara was up for the challenge. But she’s proven his initial hesitation wrong every day since. Barbara has been involved at almost every level, from the secretary to the president, and chairing the annual fundraising gala, Puppy Love.

“While serving on the Board has been fulfilling, there were many difficult days as the organization endeavored to make significant changes,” Guerra stated.

“It took the vision of a group of people who all had the same desire to save animals and make our community a better place for them to live. I’m proud to be honored for my service, but it has taken a village to get to where we are.”

LEADING BY ACTIONS

While Barbara took on the challenge of serving Palm Valley, she also had two children, twins Trey and Aubry, to raise. Now that they are in their twenties, Barbara knows she instilled the importance of not just having but demonstrating love and compassion for all beings—human and animal.

“As young children, I saw by their actions that they truly exhibited those qualities,” recalls Guerra proudly.

Being involved in animal welfare has brought Barbara tremendous joy, and she admits a few tears. “I love the quote, ‘the best views come after the hardest climb,’” Guerra reflects. “My desire is always to keep climbing.”

The mission of lifesaving at Palm Valley is vital because beyond just helping an animal in need, they are giving an animal a chance to find their voice and get a second chance to become a pet beyond the wall of the shelter. “It is like handing them the keys to start a new life, knowing second chances are hard to come by,” Guerra said. Many people say that they soon discover it is not the pet who was rescued but themselves when adopting a shelter pet. They become the benefactor of an unconditional love they never knew existed.

The Palm Valley Community congratulated Barbara Guerra on being the inaugural Puppy Love honoree for her long-time commitment and devotion to animal welfare. “Barbara truly is a superhero for animals,” said Saul Sanchez, Palm Valley Board of Directors Vice President and this year’s Puppy Love co-chair. “She has the biggest heart.”

13TH ANNUAL PUPPY LOVE

Puppy Love is a chance for the community to come together for the good of our shelter animals and the community at large. Every dollar raised goes to expanding and enhancing programs from adoption, rescue, foster care, pet pantry, microchip clinics, the Community Cat vProgram, or any other vital programs provided by Palm Valley for the animals and the community.

Palm Valley Animal Society, in collaboration with Petco Love, Heal House Call Veterinarian, and other local and national companies, recently supported a threeday vaccination and microchipping event free of charge to Valley pet owners—a huge win for more than 2,000 of our furry friends in the Rio Grande Valley. Barbara Guerra has been the proud pet parent of eight dogs and thirteen cats. Every single one of them has a place in her heart, but the bond she shares with Reecie, her schnauzer mix from Palm Valley, is undeniable. Reecie only had two days left to be adopted, and no one had shown any interest in her. “While most people see her big silly ears first, it is really her eyes that do all the talking, and that day she spoke to me. Reecie has been with me every day since, and she still looks at me as though she can see clear through to my soul,” Guerra remarked. “She is almost thirteen now, and I have no idea how much longer I will have the privilege of having her in my life, but one thing I know for sure, love has no expiration date, and it fills my heart simply having loved Reecie.”