Saving Kenzie and Millie

This Rescue Village resident Kenzie, a 5 year-old cattle dog mix who was rescued by the ASPCA along with over 60 other dogs from the property of an overwhelmed pet owner in Georgia. He spent time at the ASPCA’s Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) to work on his socialization. The BRC is the first-ever permanent facility dedicated to the study and behavioral rehabilitation of homeless dogs suffering from severe fear and under-socialization, often resulting from cruelty and neglect.

Dogs who graduate from the Behavioral Rehabilitation Center are placed with shelters and rescue groups, like Rescue Village, across the country so they can be cared for and adopted. Rescue Village has been helpful in caring for and finding homes for BRC dogs.

During his time at the BRC, Kenzie learned to trust and enjoy the company of humans and gain the confidence needed to be a pet. He’s come a long way and and Rescue Village continues to work with him in the shelter and through his foster family.

Kenzie arrived at Rescue Village in September of 2023. His profile page stated: “Kenzie is a smart, spunky, fun little pup, but it will probably take him a while to come out of his shell. Kenzie came from a hoarding case in Spring 2023. He lived in a home with many other dogs but had very little experience interacting with people. He spent some times with the ASPCA to work on his socialization. He’s come a long way and is looking for a kind, patient owner to help him learn that people don’t have to be scary! Snacks and big fluffy toys can help you win his heart. While he’s learning to trust humans, Kenzie would love opportunities to spend time with dog friends! He loves wrestling and lounging with other dogs. We think he would be more comfortable and confident with a dog sibling in his home.”

Another one of these lucky dogs is Millie. Millie was from a large-scale suspected animal cruelty case in Nevada. Due to her extreme fear, Millie underwent specialized treatment at the BRC to help her become comfortable with common things she would experience as a pet in a home, like walking on leash, riding in a car, or even just walking through a threshold. Upon her graduation in September 2023, she was transported to Rescue Village to help her find a new family, which she did shortly after with local resident, Halle C. With Halle, Millie is now enjoying spending time outdoors, watching TV with her family, getting to know her feline siblings and “holding her head high and smiling all the time.”

Click here to see Kenzie and Millie’s story on WKYC Ready Pet GO segment in April, 2024.

Kenzie finally met his match in May of 2024! Little did adopter, Esther, know what an impact she would have when she walked through our doors. She came looking for a companion, and when Shelter Specialist, Torrie, told her about Kenzie, Esther didn’t know how much we’ve been trying to find him just the right home, or how long he’s been waiting.

Knowing how much Kenzie enjoys being around other dogs, Torrie knew it was the perfect home for Kenzie when she heard he would have 3 canine cousins to play with on a weekly basis. It was a long and tough road. Thank you everyone that supported Kenzie’s safe and healthy journey!

We were eager to hear how Kenzie was doing in his new home, and here is what his adopter said:

Kenzie (now named Jackson) is doing pretty good. He likes it in the evening when I do Yoga Nidra, he thinks it’s very relaxing, he’s not to sure of some of the other virtual yoga classes, or the gerofit class I do thru the VA, says he has to be alert for that class. He has not pooped or peed in the house. He follows me around the house. I can walk him in the yard holding onto his leash. He thinks he needs a treat every time he comes back into the house. There’s chickens that live behind us, at first he was afraid of them, now he just goes about his own business, not shaking like he did the first couple of days. He has a vet appointment on Saturday. He still spends a lot of time in the crate, he’s making small steps like the last dog I had, someday he will be sitting on the couch. He likes the grand dogs, he’s going to spend about 10 days with all of them in June, haven’t told him that yet. I think he will like the ride to the Columbus area, he’ll have a lot of room in the fenced in back yard and in the house (it’s a lot bigger than mine). I think he is better than when he came home, I am.