Maya's puppies, Miles and Mickey

Sometimes we heal animals and sometimes they heal us... often, it's a little bit of both! In the 10 years that Anne Belden has fostered animals with the Sonoma Humane Society, she has been an important part of the healing process for many. This past summer, she was called upon to help provide some emotional healing for a fearful mama dog and her two puppies.

Maya, a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix was terrified when she arrived at SHS. Anne described her as being "afraid of the world" when she first met her. Within a month of nurturing care from Anne though, Maya's confidence began to grow. She went from a trembling dog afraid to leave Anne's side, to one who loved to run and play with other dogs.

Maya: a confident care-giver!

"As time neared for her to go up for adoption," Anne shares "I feared she wouldn't transition well into another home. I knew she needed a gentle home where she could be held a lot" She needn't have worried. One day, with Maya in tow, Anne went to visit her father in the care home where he lives. The owner of the facility, Nicole, fell in love with Maya and shortly afterwards, adopted her! Maya now accompanies Nicole to the care home each day and offers her own special brand of therapy to all the residents. Nicole says that Maya's presence has transformed the place, "I believe she has warmed all the residents' hearts. The environment is calmer, the anxiety level is lower." Maya seems to have helped residents who have suffered from depression-"it's reduced dramatically, which I've never seen before."

Maya hard at work bringing smiles to the care home!

Nicole says that Maya takes her care-giving duties very seriously. From the moment they arrive in the morning, Maya goes from room to room greeting each resident with a dose of sweetness as they wake up. "She recognizes each resident's behavior and disabilities and she knows how to navigate those." Maya often leads a patient named Fredricka out to the backyard to enjoy the sunshine, and has given a sense of purpose to Fredricka's days. Another resident, Elizabeth says Maya has made her feel much brighter. "We all sit together and she keeps us company. She keeps an eye on everybody. She's brought Bob, who's here with a dislocated hip, and me closer as friends because we care about her so much." Echoing those remarks, Bob explains "We've all become very much attached to her." With some of the residents confined to wheelchairs, "we focus on our relationships. And Maya is most delightful."

Anne still gets to enjoy Maya's friendship too. "Whenever I visit, Maya goes crazy to see me, but then lets me leave, knowing she's needed there."
 

And as for Maya's puppies? They've gone on to bring lots of smiles in their forever homes too! Anne had just picked up one of her foster pups, Miles, from an SHS vet appointment and was picking up her car from the auto body shop. She brought Miles in with her, and within 30 seconds the shop owner said he wanted him. "His wife had been depressed since losing their longtime dog last year. She met, fell in love with Miles and he now has a perfect home."  Maya's other pup Mickey was then adopted by the shop owner's son and his wife! 

As the days grow shorter and we approach Thanksgiving, we hold our beloved pets close-grateful for the warmth and light they bring to our lives! Here at Sonoma Humane Society we are also grateful for wonderful foster volunteers like Anne who help us heal lives and bring animals and people together. And we are grateful for YOU; your compassion is an integral part of our circle of healing. Every donation, big or small makes it happen-click here to help!