When owners need addiction treatment, this group makes sure their animals stay safe

When the dogs are taken in, they are taken to the vet for spay and neuter operations, to establish responsible pet ownership once the pets are returned after their foster homes. Both fosters and clients sign contracts about their participation and expectations for being a part of the program.

‘The rescue community is just overwhelmed.’

Another hard part of working with the dogs and their owners is the heartbreak that comes with how these cases can be resolved and the stress of finding people to care for animals — sometimes permanently — on very short notice.

The woman who inspired the program (the one who continually showed up to the office with her dog) eventually got into treatment. The group thought she would be reunited with her dog, Remi, after her three-month inpatient treatment program was completed, where the woman thrived.

However, when the woman appeared in court for an old charge, hoping the judge would acknowledge her accomplishments, she was unexpectedly sentenced to eight years in prison on the spot, leaving Remi with nowhere to go.

On a video call that night, Remi’s owner said goodbye, pleading that the dog never forget her or their time together. Remi is now living with Helvey in her home.

With a lack of fosters, Helvey is no stranger to keeping the dogs herself. She currently houses three, in addition to her two personal rottweilers. Helvey has had as many as 10 dogs in her home at once.

“It is a really big need,” she said. “The rescue community is just overwhelmed.”

While she was in treatment, Gabbard said she heard stories from other women at the facilities who had not been as fortunate as her and lost their pets. One woman’s dog was killed, and another never learned what happened to her pet after it was placed in a pound.

“No words can explain the gratitude I have for (Helvey),” Gabbard said. “It was a blessing, what she did and a lot of people wouldn’t do that, especially with the stuff she already does.”

Gabbard hopes that others will hear her story and it will inspire them to foster pets so their owners can seek help to return to them once again.

Those interested in becoming fosters for animals can contact Helvey or Morris through the “Fostering for Recovery at Morris Run” Facebook page. Donations can be made through the group’s Venmo or GoFundMe, or by purchasing items off their Amazon wishlist.