Spring-2023

124 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 3 And what it is today is quite frankly amaz- ing. In 2009, POMDR began with five board members and one volunteer. Now head- quartered in Pacific Grove, the organization has 1,300 active volunteers and a staff of veterinarians at its own veterinary clinic in Monterey. In the intervening years, they have rescued 3,100 dogs and served 2,000 “Helping Paws” clients with financial assis- tance, dog walking and temporary foster care. “At any given time, we typically have around 80 dogs in foster homes,” Broecker says. “We’re lucky to have an all-volunteer board, who each dedicate approximately 40 hours a week to POMDR.” In July 2022, Broecker was featured on national television for a “CNN Heroes Award.” “Even though the program focused on me, I feel it was mostly about POMDR,” she says. “It was an honor for me and the organization.”The award was presented by actor and animal activist Justin Theroux and the event was attended by Kevin Bacon and Naomi Campbell.“It’s given us international attention, plus new donors and volun- teers.” People from around the nation have contacted POMDR, wanting to create something like this in their own communities. “So, we’re working on how to make that happen,” Rua says. “We’re starting with Zoom conferences, sharing what we’ve learned about policies and procedures.” Both founders have scores of adoption stories relating how a person saves a dog and a dog saves a person.“The stories are endless,” Rua says. “The compassion peo- ple display for these dogs is inspirational. They look at a blind dog and don’t care. They fall in love anyway. Over and over, people say they are the lucky ones, not the dogs.” “In our society, the elderly—humans and dogs—often are ignored,” Broecker says.“We’re here to shine a light on these forgotten populations and give them the attention they deserve. It’s imperative to us that they can move through the final phases of their lives with dignity.” Oh, and Savannah? Broecker adopted her herself and she lived a long and happy life. For more information, visit www.peaceofminddogrescue.org. Chris Duymich, a POMDR foster volunteer, with Stormy, a sweet 11-year-old male Pug/Chihuahua mix, who came to POMDR from Hitchcock Road Animal Services after being rescued from a storm drain. He is also available for adoption. Rua and Broecker at the CNN Heroes Awards. Broecker was a recipient of the award in 2022. Photo: Courtesy of POMDR Photo: Courtesy of CNN