Melissa
Melissa came to us in March 2025 asking us to watch her dog, Coco, while she entered rehab for methamphetamine. What began as a simple request became the start of our UnderDogs program—helping people in crisis stay connected to their pets while both the human and animal heal through mutual rescue.
After rehab and sober living, Melissa returned to Dog Heaven to volunteer and joined our Work, Study, Heal program. Over the past year she has remained clean and sober and overcome a gambling addiction—an important milestone since most relapses happen within the first year.
During this time, Melissa has also rebuilt a strong relationship with her children. Her daughter recently shared that her mom’s support helped her get through her final year of high school. Melissa is now focused on saving for her future, supporting her children’s education, and continuing her healing journey.
We are so grateful to have Melissa as part of our team.
Early
Early became a part of the work, study, heal program in October 2025. Thru a series of unfortunate events in the last 2 years he found himself homeless at the age of 53. Without family and without a support system he was living on the streets. Because of his conscience effort to give back to the community members who helped him when they could, they came together and asked Dog Heaven if he could be a part of the work, Study, heal program. We were able to find him room and board off site in exchange for work so that he could get out of survival mode and start focusing on healing from his trauma and learning how to thrive.
The Underdogs program helps people learn to thrive instead of survive. We work to empower people to see themselves as overcomers instead of victims
Henry
Henry came into the Underdogs program after we watched his dog Bruce while he went into recovery for Fentanyl addiction. Coming from a home of addiction it made it even more difficult to break the chains of addiction. Seperating himself from the city and his environment has been the perfect respite to allow him to continue to heal with animals and nature . His hope is to continue his education and re launch his career as a security officer The Underdogs program helps people learn to thrive instead of survive. We work to empower people to see themselves as overcomers instead of victims