By Nicole DePalma

Behind every great cause, there is going to be a great person that serves as the catalyst, the spark that lifts the cause from an idea to action. Shannon Tarr is that spark, and Emotional Rescue, LLC is her cause.

Shannon Tarr relates that she has “…always been a magnet for lost, injured, orphaned creatures.”. And she says that growing up, she thought everyone felt the same way, too. Since the 1990s, Shannon fostered various “critters” with rescues and Humane Societies. Approximately four years ago, Shannon found herself being contacted personally to help with desperate dogs in need. When the rescue Shannon volunteered with at the time was not interested in financially backing these tough cases, Shannon not only took them into her home, but personally took on their expenses as well.

Emotional Rescue (ER for the rest of this article), was created “on a wing and a prayer” as Shannon tells it, and her posse of “movers and shakers” stepped up to create websites, on- line application forms, foster dogs in their homes, create relationships with “First Responder Rescuers”, and importantly, to come up with the name “Emotional Rescue”.

Necessity and the goal of saving the dogs ER was asked to help, propelled the rescue along quickly. ER could be focused on emotion: a dog stays with ER until it is certain that the right forever family has been found. Shannon knows that, “Its all about finding the right match.”.

This paragraph will be hard to read. ER takes in dogs from all over the United States, in all types of conditions. Some dogs are paralyzed, perhaps having been hit by a car, or a victim of suspected abuse, or being shot. Some dogs have unknown illnesses or injuries, or have been neglected or abandoned. Some dogs and puppies roam vast expanses of Reservation lands, living with mange and starvation, while some dogs have been removed from puppy mills.

In spite of all these challenges, Shannon asserts that these dogs are adoptable, and even a paralyzed dog relying on “wheelies” for mobility can be a picture of joy. ER’s philosophy is that, “…a dog’s quality of life is dependent on the caregiver”, those special people who see the potential in these special dogs and commit to improving their lives through care, patience, and love.

As with most rescues and shelters, ER relies on its volunteers. A volunteer’s time is ER’s most appreciated gift. Fostering, walking, transporting, and socializing dogs are direct ways for volunteers to be involved with ER’s rescued pups. Of course, monetary and supply donations are always appreciated, too.

ER works under the belief that every dog has a family waiting for that dog to join them. Not only does an adopted dog become healed, but it’s new family can be healed from the unconditional love their new pet brings. Sometimes ER’s dogs become Emotional Support Animals offering, “…companionship, confidence, and empathy to humans who are in need, as they once were.”. (Quoted from ER;s website) So an “Emotional Rescue” can come full circle. You can also find ER on FaceBook where you will read uplifting stories, see pictures of dogs doing “dog things”, and messaging ER from their FaceBook page is an option for those who visit the site.

If you would like to learn more about ER, please visit their website, www.emotionalrescue.org. Once there, you will find more information about ER, and how to contact, volunteer, and donate. You will also find a FAQ sheet, and “A Day in the Life of a Rescue”.

You can also find ER on FaceBook where you will read uplifting stories, see pictures of dogs doing “dog things”, and messaging ER from their FaceBook page is an option for those who visit the site.

ER’s story is a tale worth sharing. The dogs of ER are glad you spent some time learning about their journey of hope, emotion, and always, love.

Shannon Tarr, the founder of Emotional Rescue, pic- tured above with one of her foster dogs. Picture courtsey of Shannon Tarr

Shannon Tarr spends some snuggle time with one of the Emotional Rescue pups. Picture courtsey of Shannon Tarr