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Dear Friends,
As 2021 comes to a close, Dogs Matter is grateful for receiving so many blessings and opportunities this year. We continue to serve more clients and their dogs than ever before. With drug overdoses exceeding 100,000 for the first time, and more people adopting dogs during the pandemic, Dogs Matter services have been requested at an all-time high. We have provided 104 dogs and their owners with services this year: including extended foster care, veterinary expenses, food and supplies, and assisted with pet deposits for our dogs, along with substance abuse counseling and peer recovery support for our clients to help them navigate their aftercare.
In 2021, Dogs Matter gained national attention with an appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show (see video below). The reaction has been overwhelming on so many levels. The outreach for our services across the country have been tremendous as well as so many enthusiastic people wanting to help provide Dogs Matter partner services in their own communities.
Dogs Matter is committed to address the need to expand our services and become a national model program. We have already started fostering services in Southern California headed up by our alumni client, Camille Cox. We also have community partners in Oregon, Florida, and Connecticut, and continue to meet with other communities across the country to assist in implementing our program.
As Founding Executive Director, I am beyond grateful to all our fosters, volunteers, partners, and donors who make it possible to continue providing our services to our clients and expand our services in Texas and across the country. A very special thank you to Taylor Stensrud who runs our day-to-day marketing & operations and for the commitment and support he gives to our clients and foster families (see article below).
Please take a moment to read about our amazing year and consider making a year-end, tax-deductible donation so we can continue our journey in 2022.
On behalf of Dogs Matter, Jayde and I wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday season.
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Stephen Knight, LCDC, CATC
Founder & Executive Director
Dogs Matter
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Let's keep pet families together.
Provide a lifesaving gift to help remove a barrier to treatment.
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In Case You Missed It: The Kelly Clarkson Show
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Stephen talks with Kelly and Kathy Hilton about how important dogs are to the addiction recovery process, and former client Camille explains the impact Dogs Matter has made in her life.
A special thank you to the producers and crew at the show. Their hard work to make our appearance possible is greatly appreciated. And yes, Kelly Clarkson is as real and authentic in person as she is being the host of the show. Her generosity and support for Dogs Matter has been a game changer for us. We love our Texan host!
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2021 Featured Sponsor: CarLotz
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 CarLotz knows the right ride can make a world of difference. Dogs Matter is proud to have joined up with them this year as one of our a corporate sponsors.
CarLotz presented us with a check for $10,000, AND a custom-wrapped van during our appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Their generosity will allow us to serve more dogs and their owners in nearby states. They are AMAZING!
Be sure to checkout CarLotz new location in Dallas on Preston Rd. And be on the lookout for our Dogs Matter van on the streets near you. We look forward to growing our relationship with CarLotz and their continued support.
View CarLotz-produced commercial featuring Dogs Matter.
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New Partnership with Dallas Pets Alive!
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 In October we announced a new partnership with Dallas Pets Alive! (DPA). In this unique partnership, DPA will assist Dogs Matter with foster placements, matching companion animals in need with temporary foster homes.
“Collaboration is at the heart of our mission here at DPA,” DPA founder Leslie Sans says. “Together with Dogs Matter we believe we can help not only pets stay with their owners and out of shelters, but give owners the chance to overcome their struggles knowing that their loving, furry companion is awaiting them when they are ready. Together we can do more for pets and their people.”
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Foster Family & Client Spotlight
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We want to introduce you to Nicole Keehn and her family, our featured foster for 2021. Nicole and her family graciously welcomed two, long-term foster pups into their home this year.
The first foster dog being LADY. Lady required a lot of medical attention when she first arrived. She could not have been in better hands! Nicole is a licensed psychologist and licensed registered nurse. She owns Lokahi Life Center, a clinical psychology & nursing consultation practice located in Dallas. “It was so heartwarming to see my patients’ joy when they met Lady," Nicole said about taking Lady up to her office.
"Goose was so excited to see Abby. I could see the love and comfort they were to each other by their shared joy. The reunion made me so happy to be a part of this amazing organization!" — Nicole Keehn
The second dog Nicole and her family fostered was Bubba Goose, or just GOOSE as he's commonly referred to. Goose was the talk of the neighborhood. He loved his walks and became friends with all the neighborhood dogs.
Our client and Goose's momma, Abby, had already been through addiction treatment when she reached out to us. She was in desperate need of a temporary home for Goose while moving into a sober living home for a few months to focus on her recovery.
"Dogs Matter came through for me and Goose. This organization is absolutely amazing in every sense. They care not only about the dog but the people in recovery too. Everyone I have met has been truly special. Thank you guys so much for this opportunity and can’t wait to foster myself. Goose and I love you guys," said Abby.
“We had mixed emotions when we learned that Goose’s mom was coming to pick him up because he had become a part of our lives. But meeting Abby and seeing how she and Goose were so loving and shared a real bond was heart melting," said Nicole.
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In The News: Park Cities People
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 When Taylor Stensrud faced a life-altering dilemma in early 2018, Dogs Matter was there.
“They truly do ‘take care of your best friend while you take care of yourself,’” Stensrud said. “Dogs Matter found the perfect foster family and relieved me of the added stress and anxiety over the care of my dog when I needed to focus on myself and my sobriety.”
Taylor also now works for Dogs Matter, heading up the marketing & operations team.
Read Taylor's full story.
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It Takes A Village - Thank You!
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Thank you again to all of our 2021 supporters, fosters, volunteers, partners, and donors who make it possible to continue providing our services to our clients and their dogs in need.
We want to give special recognition to some supporters that have gone the extra mile working with us this year.
See our list of 2021 Special Supporters.
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See Our Latest Reunion Video
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"Fostering Rosie was truly an amazing experience...to see her reunite with her dad, knowing he’s been able to get the help he needed too! I’m so glad I found y’all, and I’ll support in any way possible! The healing power of dogs is amazing!" — Amy Stowell
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 Shop Our Online Store for official Dog's Matter merchandise. We have logo t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, coffee mugs, hats, and more! All proceeds go towards our operating expenses. Orders ship in 4-5 business days.
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 Reminder: You can instantly make a gift to Dogs Matter when you shop using AmazonSmile. Amazon will donate a small percentage of your purchases to us when you select Dogs Matter to be your preferred charity.
Go to AmazonSmile under Settings, and select 'Dogs Matter' as your charity, or simply click our direct link above.
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