Richie is an excellent example of the transformation shelter animals can go through when given a second chance. Found on a busy street, Richie was scared and shaking. He was brought to a local shelter with a bad limp and covered in bloody gashes. It was hypothesized that he was attacked by another dog or hit by a vehicle … or both. Yet ARF’s Pets and Vets team saw something special in Richie.
From the moment they first laid eyes on him, his tail started wagging and he greeted them with a slobbery kiss on the cheek. The next thing he knew, Richie was on his way back to ARF to start his new life chapter: becoming a psychiatric service dog for a military veteran. Today, Richie is a confident, cuddly, gentle service-animal-in-training — a complete turnaround from being lost and injured on the streets.
“We go everywhere. He’s my road dog. He literally goes everywhere I go.”
Donald, Pets and Vets Veteran
To submit your ARF-adopted pet’s story and photos, fill out our online submission form.
More Shelter to Service Updates
We feed our animals high-quality Purina pet food.
You can find all our adorable, adoptable animals on Petfinder.
We’re a proud recipient of funding from the Engelstad Foundation.
We’re honored to elevate animal wellness alongside the ASPCA.
VCA’s expert care heals pets and Joybound shelter animals alike.