JACKSON, Wyo. — SeniorPAWS Joey’s adoption story has earned PAWS a surprise Holiday Wishes grant from the PetCo Foundation!
This is an annual grant contest for individuals to submit their inspiring adoption stories, entering the organization that they adopted their pet from to win grant money.
Joey began as a foster dog at the beginning of 2020 as the first SeniorPAWS dog to be fostered at the St. John’s Living Center. SeniorPAWS is a program through Paws of Jackson Hole that allows us Living Center residents and staff to foster a senior shelter dog while they await adoption. The end goal for Joey was to be adopted out into the Jackson community, but the residents had something else in mind.
“Our staff and Living Center residents cannot remember life before Joey! There isn’t a day that goes by that she doesn’t make us smile, from the way her tiny pointy ears stand up as if she’s listening in on the conversation, to the way her small warm body fits perfectly in our collective laps. “ wrote Connie Hansen, Director of Therapeutic Recreation at St John’s Living Center.
The residents loved Joey so much that they insisted on adopting her. A parade of residents filed into the office of the director to let her know that Joey had to stay. Residents even threatened to leave if she was not adopted, failing at the first attempt at fostering, Joey officially became an ambassador to the SeniorPAWS program.
Joey was adopted just before the pandemic hit and the timing couldn’t have been better, “We have been on a no visitation hold since March and cannot fathom what life would be like without Joey’s plucky presence in our facility. Joey has changed the lives of our residents and staff in a way no other creature could.” wrote Hansen.
Read Joey’s entire adoption story and learn more about her life at the St. John’s Living Center, here.
Currently, there is a way to help PAWS receive more grant money from Petco. From December 1st to December 15th, the public is allowed to vote for their favorite story on the Petco Foundation’s Holiday Wishes website. The top 5 vote receivers will then receive another prize up to $25,000. NOW WE NEED YOUR VOTE! We are campaigning for your vote to win an ADDITIONAL $25,000.
Simply head over to VOTE NOW, search Joey, enter and confirm your email address, and you’re helping to continue PAWS’ work of helping pets and people in our communities!
