HOUSTON – Addiction as we know it is an epidemic. It’s deadly and isolating and can impact anyone at any time.
People with addiction often say a major reason they do not seek treatment is because of their pets: there’s simply no place for them to go. It’s often the last and only relationship they have intact because of their addiction.
Recommended Videos
Candace is a Houstonian in recovery. She has two dogs. Stormy and Tippy. “They’re my whole world. That’s the only thing I have left is my animals.”
Candace knew she needed help but was not willing to give her dogs up while she sought treatment. One, she didn’t have support to watch out for her dogs. Two, if she found a place to board her pups while in treatment, she would not be able to afford the bill. Three, she could not find a place to care for her pets.
“Over 29 years in and out of the, you know, jail homes in trouble,” explained Candace.
Decades of alcohol and drugs led to dark days and eventually the streets for Candace and her two dogs. For the first time in a long time, Candace and her two dogs are safe, and Candace is stable.
Three months ago, Candace found hope.
She found two Texas-based organizations that could help her and her pups: Taylor Recovery and Dogs Matter.
Stephen Knight is founder and CEO of Dogs Matter. “The mission is to temporarily foster dogs for people to go to drug and alcohol rehab, so they don’t lose their dog. And we reunite them when they get healthy again. I got a knock on the door one night when I was eight months sober, and I saw this little dog and a friend of mine’s arms, and she had relapsed and she needed to go to rehab and she had nowhere to place the dog. And I took the dog.”
Dogs Matter was born in 2015.
“I started this with putting dogs in my backyard and the first year doing like five, ten dogs. 15 dogs. And now we will do over 200 dogs this year,” explained Knight.
Dogs Matter is seeking fosters.
“We are in tremendous need. If we could get some more fosters in Houston, we could really expand our services,” underscored Knight.
Candace’s dog Stormy is in foster care through Dogs Matter. Candace is in treatment at Taylor Recovery. Alongside her is her dog Tippy.
“It changed my whole life,” cried Candace.
Taylor Recovery was founded in 2009. It’s a full-service drug and alcohol rehab center that offers treatments from detox to sober living and pets are allowed.
Kimberly Isaac is director of sober living at Taylor Recovery Center. “It brings structure to their lives. As I’ve heard others say, having burned the bridges to their family relationships. So, this pet is the only thing that is motivating them to get up to carry on in their journey and not to give up.”
Isaac explained it’s not common to see a treatment facility recognize and incorporate the bond between addicts and man’s best friend.
“I know that here in Texas, we’re only one of two that offers the accommodations for pets during the treatment episode,” explained Isaac.
Since 2009, the center has expanded to three locations, serving hundreds of people and their pets each year.
“Now I have a home with my dog. One’s getting fostered. It’s just like a miracle. I was about to give up myself you know, But I didn’t. And now I do believe in second chances.” Cried Candace.
Stephen Knight was nominated and is one of five finalists vying to be the 20-24 CNN Hero of the Year.
