Giving Back With Melissa Claire Egan
Just Cause: Dharma Rescue For Cats & Dogs, www.dharmarescue.org
How did you first learn about Dharma Rescue? “My awesome friend, Jocelyn. We worked together on a previous animal charity, and when she heard about Dharma Rescue, she knew I would want to get involved.”
Why did you decide to get involved? “I went and met these doggies and fell in love! Dharma Rescue rescues dogs with disabilities that have been abused, hit by cars and abandoned, or other physical ailments. They then rehabilitate the dogs, make them personalized wheelchairs, and train them to become therapy dogs. And I was so impressed and blown away by Susan and Audrey, who rescue and rehabilitate and take care of the dogs day in, day out, that I felt I needed to do something! To see them in action, go to their website and watch some of the news segments. Your heart will melt!”
How would you describe your participation? “I donate, of course, but my other main focus is bringing awareness to the charity itself, getting them publicity and funding, funding funding! It costs so much money for Susan and Audrey to feed them, [pay] their consistent vet bills, and each dog wheelchair is $500!”
What have you been working on lately with Dharma Rescue?
“We recently launched the Pet Peeve Challenge, where you can post a photo or video of your animal’s ‘pet peeve’, while also hopefully donating to dharmarescue.org. It’s been a hit so far and so hysterical to see other dogs’ and cats’ ‘pet peeves’.”
What has been your most memorable experience while working with Dharma Rescue? “I was able to go to one of the schools in Torrance, CA, where the dogs are therapy dogs, and watch them in action. They provide relief to kids with learning disabilities, autism and behavioral problems. It’s incredible to see how excited the dogs are to go do their job! And then to see the children’s faces light up and see how the dogs affect them in such a positive way. Everybody wins!”
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Soap Opera Digest does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.