One Dog's Journey Home

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JUNE 2015 NEWSLETTER

This month we share with you a story from our PAWS Across America program. Meet Hendrix. He's a young adult dog that was down on his luck at a shelter in Georgia. Hendrix came to AWS for adoption via our transport partner Road Trip Home Rescue of Georgia. His adoption at AWS was facilitated by Canine Community Corps, a local group that pairs veterans with emotional-support dogs.

In the three years we have been working with Road Trip Home, more than 2,000 companion animals have been transported to AWS for adoption. This month, we celebrate this partnership with our 3rd Annual Road Trip Home Reunion.

Road Trip Home foster families will be at the shelter for an evening of reunions, games and reminiscing.

If your pup came to AWS via Road Trip Home, please RSVP to the reunion by emailing Jen at [email protected]

HENDRIX'S RESCUE

Hendrix is a young adult retriever mix that has had quite a journey to find his new home in Maine. He was found in Cobb County, Georgia, as an injured stray and turned into animal control. Based on his severely broken leg and dislocated hip, staff at the animal control shelter believed he had been hit by a car. They put out a plea for his rescue, and Road Trip Home came to his aid. AWS' Transport Manager immediately got on board and assured Road Trip Home that we could take this adorable, friendly guy for adoption just as soon as he was well and able to travel.

Hendrix began receiving medical treatment for his leg and hip injuries. First, he was given medication and splinted to prevent further damage and to alleviate pain. Then he had two surgeries - one to repair his left hip and one to put a plate in his right rear leg. He also received medication for an ear infection. His prognosis was excellent and he began to heal right away!

HENDRIX'S HEALING IN FOSTER CARE

For eight weeks, he was on kennel rest as he recovered in a foster home in Georgia.

From his foster mom:

"This boy for all he's been through in the last few months is one of the sweetest, most loving dogs I've ever encountered. His injuries to his leg and pelvic area have really not hindered him in any way whatsoever; and he reminded me of a young child when they are learning to walk. He could not wait to move and explore even though we had to not let him do too much too soon. Through it all, he was a real trooper. Letting go of a foster is always hard on me, and this wonderful boy will be in my heart for the rest of my life."

While he healed, he had many trips to the vet to monitor his progress, and finally after several long months, he was given the all clear with no restrictions. His foster family, the Road Trip Home folks and AWS staff cheered his full recovery!

HENDRIX'S STAY AT AWS

Now ready for travel, Hendrix joined the Road Trip Home transport that arrived at AWS on May 1st.

After being at the shelter for only a few days, board members from Canine Community Corps stopped by. They had seen his profile on AWS' website and wanted to meet him. They took him for a walk where his sweet personality shone through. They knew he would be the perfect companion for a veteran in their program.

HENDRIX'S ADOPTION

May 7th was Hendrix's adoption day. He posed for one last photo at AWS before heading home with his new family!

After adoption, Canine Community Corps (CCC) dogs and their new owners attend obedience and training classes to become emotional support animals (ESAs). Here is Hendrix, now named Rick, with CCC's trainer, Sue Walsh. In these classes, veterans train their dogs and get the support and companionship of other dog-vet teams. According to Julie Weiss, Executive Director of CCC, "When dogs are certified as ESAs, they and their vets are covered by two aspects of the Americans with Disabilities Act: Vets can take their dogs when they travel by plane, and landlords must accept these dogs even if they have a no-pet policy."

We are so happy to share Hendrix's story with you. We grateful to Road Trip Home Rescue and Canine Community Corps for their hard work making his journey a successful one!