Media Contact

Taryn Bromser-Kloeden
Adoption Facilitator
(540) 434-5270
rescueinfo@rhspca.org

Lexi Carden
Public Relations
(804) 381-7974
cardenac@dukes.jmu.edu

Special-Needs Dogs Steal Special Place in Hearts of Harrisonburg

HARRISONBURG, VA. April 8, 2016. It was 2014 and SPCA volunteers and staff
members were thrilled as Pit Bull mix, Frankenweenie, walked out of the facility with his
new forever home and a wagging tail.
Now it is a cold winter day about a year after Frankenweenie was adopted. SPCA
volunteers respond to a call about a stray dog. As they arrive at the site, they poke around
the area and hear a rustling in a nearby dumpster. They look down into the darkness of
the dumpster and are shocked to find the familiar face of Frankenweenie, abandoned by
his family and all alone once again.

(more)

Sadness to Smiles
2
Many people have seen the famous Sarah McLachlan SPCA commercials
broadcast on various television channels. People tend to turn the channel and go on with
their day. It is easy to push images of homeless and hurt pets aside and continue going
through the motions of everyday life. In Harrisonburg, sick and homeless animals are
brought into the Harrisonburg/Rockingham SPCA regularly. Through the help of rescue
groups and foster programs, these once sad and helpless animals are rehabilitated into
happy, loving homes.
WhenWeeniearrivedattheSPCAforthesecondtime,hismicrochipwhich
wasimplantedbeforehewasoriginallyadoptedwascheckedsotheycouldcontacthis
family.Unfortunately,theregisterednumberwasdisconnected,andhewasbackto
squareone.Weeniesconditionthesecondtimethroughwasmuchworse.Hewas
extremelythinandinfestedwithfleasandotherparasites,showinghowlonghehadbeen
outdoorstryingtosurvive.TheSPCAvolunteersshoweredhimwithloveandcareuntil
hewashealthyenoughtobetransferredtoalocalspecialneedsdogrescuewhereheis
beingtreatedforLymesdisease.
Fostercareisessentialforspecialneedsanimalstorehabilitatethesedogshealth
andhappiness.Weenieiscurrentlywithafosterfamilythatisseriouslyconsidering
adoptinghim.

(more)

Sadness to Smiles
3

Frankenweeniewithhisfosterfamily

Despitehisordeal,heremainedthemosthappygoluckydogyoudeverknow!He
absolutelylovestoplaywithballtoysandcanalwaysbefoundcarryingonearound,
AdoptionFacilitatorTarynBromserKloedenadds.
AnotherPitBullmixnamedPhoebecameintotheshelterverythin,dehydrated
andoverallunhealthy.Shewasveryuncertainanduntrustingofpeoplewhenshefirst
arrived.Thestaffworkedtosocializeherwhileimprovingherhealthalongtheway.
Phoebeisnowupforadoptionandisdoingwonderfully,astaffmember
pointedout.Phoebeisalsoknownforbeingverysnugglyandfriendlytoallpeopleshe
meets.FeaturedastheKlineMayCornerpet,Phoebeisbeingofferedataspecial
reducedpriceof$25plusthespayanddepositfees.

(more)

Sadness to Smiles
4

Phoebe happy and healthy

Another special needs animal is Great Pyrenees, Falkor, who also came in as a
stray. He was emaciated and had a sore on his neck. With the help and generosity of
Heartland Vet Clinic, he was treated for his health issues. Heartland Clinic also found
early signs of cataracts. The attending vet fostered him while he recovered from his
treatments and blood work. He has since been transferred to a local rescue group where
he will be adopted.
The last and oldest special needs dog is an adorable black lab mix, Pete. When he
arrived at the shelter, he had a terrible fear of men, signaling severe abuse by an owner in
the past. In the close quarters of the kennel environment, his fear was exasperated. The
staff worked on socializing him first with women staff and when he showed
improvement, one of the male volunteers was able to work with him and gain his trust.
With immaculate improvement, he was moved into a foster home where he is
thriving and will soon be ready for adoption after the foster parents learn more about his
needs and personality.

Sadness to Smiles
5
(more)

Pete leaving the shelter with his

foster family
He loves to fetch. You would never know that he is ten years old! Petes foster
family told volunteers and staff.
When it comes to special needs animals, patience, love, and friendliness are the
keys to finding their forever homes. The animals introduced above are just a glimpse into
how the SPCA rehabilitates dogs with unique qualities.
Think about Frankenweenie for a minute. He is an animal who has gone through
considerable measures to find a forever home and the Rockingham/Harrisonburg SPCA
has made it their mission to help him and all other animals in similar situations. With the
help of foster programs and rescue groups, dogs in need will be able to live happy and
healthy lives.

For more information, please visit www.rhspca.org.

(###)

Sadness to Smiles
6

About Rockingham/Harrisonburg SPCA

The Rockingham/Harrisonburg Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was
founded in August 1972 to provide assistance to animals and the public. It is an
independent nonprofit organization, unrelated to other SPCA organizations. Their mission
is to promote respect, compassion, education and advocacy resulting in a humane and
sustainable environment for all animals.