Many people have goals or visions of what their future may look like. And many people do reach their goals. But Shannon Tarr talks about reaching dreams.

Hastings native Shannon Tarr had a dream that she would live in the country one day with her sons. In between that original dream and the reality of today is such a wonderful, powerful story of focus, determination, and quite frankly, “God Moments’.

For a time, Shannon lived in Florida. She had previously completed a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology, and then continued in her education to obtain the title of Certified Behavioral Analyst. When Shannon came back to Minnesota, she found out that our fair state was not all that impressed with her certification. So, Shannon went ahead and founded Onsite Behavioral Health Services, and contracted with Human Services. Dreamers don’t let obstacles stop them. From her educational background and work history, Shannon learned how to pinpoint behaviors, why they were occurring, and ultimately, what to do about behavioral issues. Shannon is a self-proclaimed Problem Solver.

Where did the “rescue thing” come from? Shannon was a horse gal, and still is, with three horses on her property. She looked at posts on Craig’s List, and other media for horses, just to decompress. Then, while working with rescue groups, Shannon developed the dream of her own rescue. Finding her home in the country, and living there with her boys, the dream became Emotional Rescue in 2017.

If you look at the Home Page on Emotional Rescue’s website, which is www.emotionalrescuedogs.org, you’ll see that Emotional Rescue’s mission is, “always emotional, and with a degree of urgency”. The dogs that Emotional Rescue scoops up are hard cases: abused, neglected, abandoned, broken bones, shot, starved, full of parasites, mangy, dumped. They come from South Dakota reservations, and many U.S. states. But Shannon hears, as she calls it, “the whisper” that tells her that yes, this dog can be saved, and given a quality of life far better than the one it’s living now.

Harvey, a chocolate Lab was found abandoned in an apartment, born without back leg paws. Sylvester, a mixed breed dog who couldn’t be looked in the eye, now sleeps with her head on Shannon’s legs at night. Barky Bark, a small breed dog, who after being with Shannon for years, will now allow to be petted. Hope, a Shiba Inu mix was found as a free dog on Facebook. A couple brought Hope to Shannon knowing that there was more wrong with Hope than the hip dysplasia that was in Hope’s description. Hope is now living a comfortable life at Emotional Rescue on Hospice, and she is the darling of Emotional Rescue’s Facebook posts. A new arrival, little puppy Bug, looks like a toy teddy bear, wobbly, anemic, and loaded with parasites. He’s now on his road to recovery, and Harvey is showing him how to become a “real dog”. Every dog that comes to Emotional Rescue heals and adapts on their own schedule. There’s no time frame for them to learn or do “x, y, z”. Shannon lets them know she’s got their backs, and all they have to do is settle and acclimate to their new, saved life on their own terms. This is how the trust and care is built, and the dog/human bond is created. This is what turns a hurting, scared dog into one that comes to believe humans are loving and kind.

These rescues, these “same dog, different day” transformations as Shannon calls them, don’t just magically happen. From the moment dogs arrive to Emotional Rescue from transport, steps will be taken to keep the dogs healthy, safe, and cared for. Puppies will eventually be introduced to adult dogs to learn how to be a dog, and then move into groups for play. A day at Emotional Rescue begins at 5:00 a.m., and groups of dogs will head outside for play, and cycle back inside for meals. All the while, laundry will be running, rooms will be cleaned, and of course, the posting Shannon does on social media several times a day takes place to get the word out about the rescue. This is a way for Shannon to share information about adoptable and sanctuary dogs, events, fund raising, and building community. These postings are mainly found on Emotional Rescue’s Facebook page, which is Emotional Rescue, LLC.

A point is worth mentioning here. Shannon would prefer that people thinking of surrendering their dog look for ways to keep the dog. Perhaps it’s hiring a trainer, or having conversations with a veterinarian, or finding support with friends or family. Of course, there will be situations where it’s best for a dog to be surrendered to rescue, but consideration may be taken that a dog is a family member, and if there are workable solutions to problems, then they may be tried out before taking a surrender step.

As they say, “…it takes a village…”, and Shannon has built a rescue community. The Hastings Veterinary Clinic opens its doors to Emotional Rescue’s dogs needing both emergency and routine care. Dr. Diane Brown, Dr. Tony Cologgi and the entire Clinic team have been there for Emotional Rescue, providing expert care that these dogs are so deserving of.

There is also a community of trusted foster families that care for rescue dogs, learn about them, get to know them, and prepare them for adoption. Shannon has a chat group with these foster families, keeping up on dogs’ progress, and what their personalities are like.

The adoption process at Emotional Rescue is straight forward. There’s an application form to fill out, and if approved, Shannon or the foster families will ask to meet the potential adopters, and have the dogs meet potential adopters as well. As far as Shannon is concerned, it really is up to the dogs to choose their forever adopters. For example, people seeking to adopt may come to meet a dog they have decided on, only to find that another dog will say, “Excuse me, but you’re going to be my family!”. Adoption fees include vaccinations, chipping, and if the dog is old enough, spay or neuter.

If you’re looking to connect with Emotional Rescue, there are many ways to do so. Check out the website or Facebook page to learn how to donate to the Hastings Veterinary Clinic’s ongoing fund that is dedicated to the dogs needing treatment from Emotional Rescue. Donations may also be made to Emotional Rescue via PayPal, Venmo, check or cash. There is also a GoFundMe drive currently to raise money to build a fence around Shannon’s property to allow the dogs to run and play freely about her space. Shannon has had trees removed from her property, and she has personally donated the money made from the trees to the “Nature Heals” GoFundMe drive. This is another great cause to contribute to.

Emotional Rescue is an independent rescue, meaning that it is not a non-profit entity. It doesn’t have a Board of Directors, a building to upkeep, overhead, or pay to go to volunteers. Except for PayPal and Venmo fees, all contributions to Emotional Rescue or the Emotional Rescue fund at the Hastings Veterinary Clinic go directly to rescue and veterinary care. Emotional Rescue has been deemed a Licensed Kennel by the Minnesota Board of Animal Health.

On the home page of Emotional Rescue’s website, you will find these words:

“We were the voiceless.
We were the sick.
We were the left behind.
We were the starving.
We were the dying.
We are SAFE.
We are LOVED.
We are the dogs of Emotional Rescue.”

These words are the heart of Emotional Rescue. These are the dogs that give Shannon Tarr her purpose, her mission, her dream. Emotional Rescue’s “tag line” is, “To all the dogs I haven’t rescued yet, I’m coming for you!” Shannon Tarr means it, with her whole being. She is an inspiration, a realist, and yes, a dreamer.