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What AARCS Has to Say

Kim and Heather have been amazing volunteers for AARCS. They have always been there when we needed them most. Willing and able to take on some of the most challenging of dogs and help them become balanced, happy animals. One dog in particular comes to mind. Summer lived a life surviving on her own and raising a litter of puppies without any human interaction. She was rescued and we hoped to provide her with a safe and carefree life as we wish for all our rescued animals, but she was not happy in her first foster home and chewed through the wall to escape, eluding volunteers as she dashed through the streets of Calgary. Eventually after her 3rd escape we resigned to put her in a kennel where she would be safe, but this is no life for a dog. After discussing her issues with Kim and Heather they agreed to take her on and brought her to their home. Summer experienced “pack walks” with up to 12 other dogs on a daily basis. Exercise first and the assistance of other dogs and patience and gentle pressure from her foster family she blossomed into a happy, playful and confidence girl. Since then, Kim and Heather have fostered many other dogs and for that we are internally grateful. Many wonderful dogs have found forever homes after spending days, weeks or months in their home. All of this was because of the hard work and love that Kim and Heather show our four-legged friends. We cannot thank them enough for all they do for AARCS and our rescued animals.

A Few Words from the Volunteer

Heather and I are honored to be able to volunteer for such a great organization as AARCs. We have dedicated our lives to bettering the lives of dogs and now cats, that come to us looking for a new fresh start on life and AARCs has made it all possible.

Our business is dogs, so when one of our clients sent us a cry for help from AARCs, we got involved & haven’t looked back. It is said that we are saving these poor creatures but we all know that it is really them that is saving us.

The joy that it gives both of us when we see a dog with a broken spirit come out of their shell, when you see the first “play bow”, or happy howl….even the bitter sweetness of letting them go to their forever home, is the most exhilarating joy you can think of.

Heather and I have 3 dogs of our own (and maybe 2 AARCS cats *wink*) and we enjoy living in rural Alberta with our motley crew!

Heather Wilnechenko & Kim O’Mahony

The Pack…Shiraz, Kai, Ruby, Preston (foster dog), Sweetie aka Sweet-Pea (foster dog), Angel aka Sunshine (foster dog), Merlin (foster kitten) & Sir Pinot Gamay Noir (foster kitten).