Our Board:
Diane and David Pierce
David and I have grown up loving man's best friend. As our daughters grew up, we always had a dog (or two) in the house to make the family complete. As our daughters left home, we started rescuing dogs and found it to be very gratifying. The dogs that we rescued were wonderful dogs who just needed a chance at a better life.
The past several years we have been very involved in working for rescues and have fostered over sixty dogs. It became clear to us that it is very important that the dogs be fostered in a home environment where you can witness the dog's behavior and see if they have any issues before they go to their new homes. We have witnessed the fact that it is very difficult to find adopting homes for senior dogs. It is understandable that the family doesn't want to fall in love with the dog and then lose them and be heartbroken. We have found that these senior dogs are the best behaved dogs - as they are potty trained and not demanding for exercise. All they want is someone to love them and to be with them. We also have therapy dogs that we take to hospitals and nursing homes. We are continually amazed at the positive reaction these dogs have on the patients. Their faces light up when a dog walks into their room. We know the positive force that these dogs have in our lives and put the two things together to come up with the idea of Senior Dogs 4 Seniors. It came to us that it would be a WIN WIN situation if we could place these older dogs in the homes of older folks who still live in their houses. It seemed clear that we should start a new tax exempt rescue for these senior dogs and place them in the homes of seniors. Then we thought about the fact it may be difficult for some older folks to take care of the veterinary care, grooming needs and even getting the dog food and heartworm preventative. Therefore, we developed our new charity with three different programs to accommodate the different needs out there. In December, 2007, we received our approval from the IRS for a 501(c)(3) as a tax exempt non-profit. We plan to promote our rescue at senior centers around the St Louis area. We hope to finance our rescue with grants and gifts and the help of volunteers in the area. Please considering helping us on this journey!
Lisa Harris
My experience with dogs as a child was almost exclusively with the “stuffed” variety, at least when I was at home. So, Grandma’s house was made all the more inviting because of Skeeter, a terrier mix of some sort who let me play vet on him with endless patience and went on all sorts of explorations and adventures through the neighborhood.
About 6 years ago, a friend asked us to dog sit for them while they were moving. I fell in love. When they were coming to pick her up, I made them wait there until I got home so I could say good-bye. About 4 months later, they asked if we would mind taking Jessie permanently because their situation had changed and the love affair continued for the next 3 years, until my beloved Golden Retriever/Chow mix left this world at the age of 12. The emptiness in the house without her was unbearable. And that is how it all started.
I started fostering dogs for Love a Golden Rescue and became probably one of the biggest “foster failures” they had ever seen; keeping four out of the nine Golden Retrievers that we fostered, al l of them seniors. So when Diane asked if I was interested in being a part of Senior Dogs 4 Seniors I jumped at the chance to be a part of such an amazing project (and to work with Diane, she’s amazing). At the time I remember my husband saying “You know we can’t foster right? We can barely manage our four dogs. No more than four dogs in the house at a time.” I have a great husband and now six dogs in the house, including my fosters.
Every dog that comes through this group is special. They have a story. Whether they are tearfully surrendered from a home where they were loved or rescued from a place where they were mistreated, they each have a unique spirit and a personality all their own. People ask all the time, “How can you foster? I could never give them up.” (I get that, see above story about four Golden Retrievers). But through this organization I’ve also gotten to meet the kindred souls that each of these dogs has chosen to be their forever home. (you didn’t think people picked the dog did you?) I’ve seen connections that are instant and real and binding. And that is how I can foster. Because for every dog that finds their new forever home, I get to take in another one. I get to love it, watch it play, and be a part of making their life complete again. Just like Jessie made mine complete all those years ago. I can live with that.
Nancy Parko
I've been involved with dogs for well over 50 years as an owner and trainer. After I lost both parents and children became independent, I found something was missing, I needed to be needed again. In late February or early March of 2003 I began fostering puppies for a local rescue group. After 3 1/2 years I was recruited by Love A Golden Rescue, also to foster puppies and work with "emotionally damaged" dogs. Two years later, I resigned from LAGR due to health difficulties. Lisa and I had discussed SD4S, the concept is absolutely wonderful, since very few rescue groups will adopt to seniors, this was perfect. I donated all of my small crates to SD4S, not knowing what was coming. Within days, Diane called me..."Nan! We're going to have puppies! Would you foster mom and babies?" Right up my alley, of course! After fostering 820 puppies and over 150 adults in the past 6 years, I feel content and peace in knowing every single dog was given my heart and soul, learned as much as I could teach and found happy loving forever homes. Even though I'm no longer physically able to foster I will continue to serve on SD4S Board for as long as I'm needed.
Tracy Lynch
Animals have been a part of my life every since I can remember. In fact I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have some type of animal in my life! From bunnies, ducks, birds, iguana, snake, cats, dogs, etc… Although, I do have to say I am most partial to dogs! Growing up we had a wonderful German Sheppard named “Bronco”, I can still remember how he protected and looked after me! We also raised beagles and basset hounds. I remember one time when our beagle and basset both had puppies at the same time (22 puppies). I just loved coming home, opening the dog pen door and letting them run and play and climb all over me! Nothing better than 22 puppies licking your face!! And, feeding time was hilarious! We could tell when they were full because their little tails went from being down to being straight up!
I do love them all, but over the years the Shih Tzu has become my ultimate doggy favorite! I’ve owned either one or two and well, now three (I adopted one of my fosters). Shih Tzu’s have been part of my life for over twenty years. I’ve raised many litters throughout this time span and find them to be such loving little babies. This love is what helped me realize that I wanted to play a bigger part, not just by owning a dog, but also by helping those dogs that aren’t so fortunate. So, I began taking part in charitable events, fund raisers, and fostering which is what lead me to SD4S. I actually learned about SD4S when I adopted a Shih Tzu for my mom. It was during the adoption process that I realized the people who foster for SD4S all have great big hearts and they are really passionate about the dogs. They also do something special; they require a home visit for each new adoption. Why? It’s because they really want the family to be right for the dog as well as the dog to be right for the family!
Probably one of the biggest questions I’m asked is, “How do I keep from getting attached?” The truth is I do, a little piece of my heart goes with each one that gets adopted. But, there is a reward, and that is knowing that I’m part of a much bigger picture. I’ve played a part in helping one more, lonely, neglected, abused, lost, or homeless dog get a loving forever family.
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