“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” - Albert Schweitzer
The above words from theologian, organist, musicologist, writer, humanitarian, philosopher, and physician Albert Schweitzer could have used the phrase “truly healed” rather than “really happy”! I don’t mean healed in the medical sense, but rather thinking of healed as reaching a state of self-actualization. Perhaps my rudimentary understanding of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs isn’t equal to most psychology students, but I can’t help but see how service to others has the power to heal or fill a void after loss.
One of the best parts about working for RAWZ Natural Pet Food since our inception has been meeting the amazing pet lovers I’ve been blessed to cross paths with. The generosity and love for pets in this industry is astounding, but in the last few months I’ve gotten to know two special individuals who used difficult situations as inspiration for philanthropy. The two inspiring people that I’d like to introduce you to today are Lori Dover and Brendan Madden.
Meet Lori Dover, President and Founder of St. Huckleberry Animal Fund
In 2021, Lori Dover founded St. Huckleberry Animal Fund to create a network of hope and a global movement for animal welfare and end cruelty, fostering a kinder world for pets. Although I’m not the first to recognize Dover’s exceptional work on behalf of animals—Oprah Daily's 2023 feature is a great example—it’s clear that her and RAWZ’s mission to improve the lives of pets is perfectly aligned. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at St. Huckleberry Animal Fund...
Following the grief of having her beloved kitten, Huckleberry, targeted in a hate crime, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the four natural disasters that rocked Southwest Louisiana, Lori felt compelled to act. When asked about the activities of her fund during this tumultuous time, she shared, “In between the 4 historic disasters, I set up a 2-year cat rescue operation at my local Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market gully. The gully had become an exalted dumping ground for pet cats in Lake Charles, and I successfully rescued and transported abandoned cats via friends and partnerships outside the city.”
St. Huckleberry Animal Fund's impact has reached as far as the halls of Congress, where Lori has strongly advocated for the Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that codifies animal cruelty as a criminal offense. St. Huckleberry Animal Fund is also working to launch accessible, affordable pet hospitals across the United States. Lori shared with us, “St. Huckleberry Animal Fund Hospitals will offer pet health insurance, as pet parents now pay their vets more than their primary care physicians. This hospital model will potentially revolutionize the well-being and medical care for animals and be a first in the country.” RAWZ thanks Lori for her passion channeled in Huckleberry’s honor and knows she will continue to bless felines in need.
Meet Brendan Madden, Founder and Chairman of NHCSSD
As a regular attendee of Krempels Brain Injury Center, I come in contact with some remarkable brain injury survivors. One individual I was fortunate to have lunch with recently is Brendan Madden, founder and chairman of the New Hampshire Coalition for the Support of Service Dogs (NHCSSD). NHCSSD provides vital funding to people who, once matched with a service dog, face the financial responsibility of caring for a pet that’s instrumental to their ability to live more independent lives. Brendan had firsthand experience with these costs for caring for his own beloved service dog, Japhy. Bewildered by the lack of resources available for the human-service dog pair after the match was made, Brendan turned his frustration into action with NHCSSD!
All of us here at RAWZ know there are many worthy causes and organizations out there, but wanted to take a moment to extend our admiration to both Lori Dover and Brendan Madden on this Giving Tuesday! Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes or a beautiful diamond resulting from time under immense pressure, instances of adversity spawning beauty surround us. Both St. Huckleberry Animal Fund and NHCSSD remind us of the transformative healing power of helping others.
