Helen Woodward Is Saving Lives And Much More

When I think of Helen Woodward Animal Center I think of pet adoptions. Yes, they do that, and much, much more. I was inspired by Mike Arms, CEO and Renee Resko, VP of Development who came to our recent luncheon to educate our group about the center. The stories they told made me want to sign up to volunteer right away. Can you believe they have over 900 volunteers at the center? It's the volunteers that help make their many programs so successful.

Helen Woodward's mission statement is: "Helen Woodward Animal Center's passionate belief that animals help people and people help animals through trust, unconditional love, and respect, creates a legacy of caring. Sharing this philosophy with others, the Center inspires and teaches, locally and globally, the importance of the animal-human bond." Some of the many areas that they address are adoptions, animeals, boarding, education, equine hospital, P.E.T., Therapeutic riding, and A.C.E.S.

Animeals is a program that works with Meals on Wheels. When the center discovered that many recipients of Meals on Wheels were sharing their food with their pets, Helen Woodward started a program that would deliver pet food to those receiving Meals on Wheels. These elderly people would rather go without food themselves than give up their pets. Fortunately Helen Woodward Center solved the problem, so now they are able to enjoy their own nutritious meal AND feed their pet.

Therapeutic riding is another very important program at the center. They work with children and adults with brain injuries and cerebral palsy, with excellent results.

CEO Michael Arms has made it his business to teach the business of saving lives. He talks about how animals have saved our lives, and how we should work to save their lives. Military dogs, therapy dogs, guide dogs and rescue dogs are just some of the many types of dogs that have helped mankind. Mike told the story of a guide dog who helped his master to safety from the 86th floor of the twin towers during 9-11. Service dogs will give their life for their masters. Why can't we do more to ensure that they have a life?

Although the number of animals euthenized every year has decreased throughout the last decade (it's down to 5million last year), it's still so much more than it should be. Educating people nationwide and worldwide to spay and neuter their pets is important in reducing the pet population. We also need to get lawmakers to get rid of puppy mills. (I'm dreaming). Did you know that in some states it is still legal to just go shoot your dog if you don't want him anymore?

I'm so happy we live in an area where many dogs are given a second chance. We've got a long way to go, but with the work of people like Mike and Renee at the Helen Woodward Animal Center, we're making progress. Thanks to both of you for your dedication to saving lives. Millions of pets thank you too.