September is Recovery Month, a time to honor the courage of people working to overcome addiction and to show why reducing stigma is so important. Addiction can affect anyone, and it’s more common than many people realize. In fact, nearly 17% of people in the United States struggle with it each year. Many of these individuals have pets, and not having someone to care for their animals while they get help can make it much harder for them to get the treatment they need.
We support people in recovery by providing safe, loving care for their pets, removing one of the biggest obstacles to treatment. By keeping animals out of overcrowded shelters and in the care of dedicated fosters, we’re not only saving lives, we’re also helping people stay motivated and grounded during recovery.
Since its launch, PAWsitive Recovery has helped 177 families and 221 pets, offering support that makes recovery achievable and sustainable. Over the past year, our program has grown a lot, thanks to our amazing volunteers who help with transport, outreach, and intake, and to our fosters who care for the animals with love and attention. With their help, we can continue reaching more families in need.
One story that shows the heart of PAWsitive Recovery is that of Andrea and her shy dog, Kaia. Andrea was quietly battling cirrhosis of the liver while focusing on recovery — not just for herself, but for Kaia. She worried about whether her dog would be safe if she couldn’t care for her. Our team reassured her: “Yes. We’ll make sure she’s safe.” That reassurance gave Andrea the strength to attend appointments, secure housing, and keep moving forward with her recovery. Today, Andrea and Kaia live together, stable and hopeful, walking their journey side by side.
Our program is led by Serena Saunders, who is in recovery herself and knows firsthand the challenges of addiction, the healing power of pets, and the importance of removing barriers to treatment. Her compassion and insight guide our work every day, making sure both people and pets get the support they need to thrive.
PAWsitive Recovery isn’t just about helping individuals, it’s about transforming lives. By supporting people in recovery and caring for their pets, we’re building healthier, safer, and happier communities, one family at a time. This Recovery Month, we celebrate the journeys of people in recovery, the animals they love, and the volunteers and donors who make this lifesaving work possible.