Spring-2023

Peace of Mind Dog Rescue Dedicated to Improving the Qual i ty of Li fe for the Elder ly and Thei r Beloved Dogs B Y M I CHA E L CHAT F I E LD T he bond humans forge with their canine companions is unique, as no other animal arouses the same emo- tions and trust in us. One study demonstrated that many dogs would prefer their owner’s company over food, and another showed that making eye contact with a dog activates the same hormonal response in us that we get when viewing a human baby. So, with that level of connection, it’s particularly gut-wrenching when either party in the relationship becomes infirm, due to age or disease. That’s where Peace of Mind Dog Rescue (POMDR) comes in. Carie Broecker and Monica Rua are the co-founders of POMDR. “Monica and I had served together on the board of Animal Friends Rescue Project,” Broecker says. The two left that organization in 2009, deciding they needed a break. It was only a month or so later that Broecker was struck with the idea of form- ing POMDR. It started with an elderly friend named Alice and Savannah, her red Spaniel mix. “Alice was spending time in the hospital, and Savannah would spend time with me. Then Alice entered hospice and I took Savannah to visit her there.” She became concerned about what would happen to her beloved companion. Savannah was seven then, healthy but shy.“I told Alice that I would find a home for her and that she would be ok.” 120 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 3