DENVER – Simon Rubick had lost almost everything to decades of alcoholism and drug addiction.
In 2022, he found himself without a vehicle and without a home, which forced his two teenage children to move in with friends. He had burned bridges with friends and family and it took a drug-induced stint in the hospital for him to realize his cocaine addiction was going to be a “death sentence.”
Rubick, who lives in the Denver suburb of Arvada, Colorado, knew he needed help. But first he had to figure out what to do with one of the only sources of unconditional love and support he had left: his beloved German shepherd rescue, Tonks.
Most residential rehab centers in the United States don’t allow patients to bring their pets along, said Rubick, 51. So when his brother could no longer help care for the dog, Rubick thought he would have to make the excruciating decision to give up Tonks.
“It basically came down to being able to take care of my dog or being able to take care of myself,” he said.
Rubick — who has been sober for more than two years and is now an addiction recovery coach — was connected to the group PAWsitive Recovery, which fosters animals while their owners receive treatment for drug and alcohol abuse, and for people dealing with domestic violence or mental health crises.
Discover How PAWsitive Recovery is Changing Lives One Pet at a Time
Are you struggling with addiction and worried about what will happen to your beloved pet while seeking treatment?
PAWsitive Recovery, a revolutionary program based in Denver, Colorado, is here to help. They understand the bond between pets and their owners, and they are dedicated to providing a solution that allows individuals to focus on their recovery without sacrificing their pet’s well-being.
Serena Saunders, the organization’s program manager, explains, “People that are trying to get into recovery sometimes have lost their families, their children, any kind of support system that they have had. You’re not going to compound trauma that you’ve already had by giving up the one thing that hasn’t given up on you, and that’s people’s animals.”
Saunders founded PAWsitive Recovery in Denver three years ago. Since then, it’s helped more than 180 people and their pets, and Saunders said the group has looked to expand nationally after it became a part of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals International. The organization, whose largest foster network is in Colorado but accepts applications nationwide, is one of just a few programs in the U.S. that cares for the pets of people seeking treatment for substance abuse.
Are you ready to make a positive change in your life and receive the support you need to overcome addiction while knowing your pet is in good hands? PAWsitive Recovery is here for you.
Connect with PAWsitive Recovery today and start your journey to recovery alongside your loyal companion.
Your second chance begins here.
Call (555) 123-4567 or visit www.pawsitiverecovery.org to learn more.
Start your recovery journey today with PAWsitive Recovery and experience the healing power of the human-animal bond.
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Associated Press writer Colleen Slevin contributed to this report.
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