The "Barn" - second floor

The PWD facility also has two Annex apartments. These are used for dogs that need to recuperate from surgery or need a quiet environment - as many of the heart worm positive dogs coming into rescue require.  They have their own fenced area around the buildings.  The buildings also have heat, AC, windows, and music playing for the dogs.

Maddie Annex (Maddie was attitude on wheels - our third and smallest wheelchair dog) This is our annex for smaller dogs with disabilities. A safe haven for them, since our barn is usually filled with bigger pups.   

The Annex "apartments" are also equipped with remote access cameras, allowing us to monitor the dogs on a 24X7 basis.

Misty Annex (Misty was a feisty corgi mix and our second wheelchair dog.  She became Duke's mom and staunchest protector!) This is another nice quiet area for dogs that are recuperating from surgeries and or  heartworm treatment. 

The Annex Apartments

The Casey Annex

The Regal Beagle House

Many older dogs arrive sad and listless. Then they realize their lives have just begun again - in great new place, and JOY abounds! We cherish each day with these elder-pups and they have one senior fiv positive resident cat, who has made himself right at home with his canine pack.  

Benny & Harley are the perfect hosts to the incoming seniors. A real home, with all the amenities for visiting volunteers and guests. The canine residents welcome the added smells in the kitchen and the extra couch time with the human guests.

With your Support ,
we can continue to maintain this new addition to the rescue.

The Founders Home

We respond to dogs that no other rescue will help - giving them the opportunity and time to heal. We provide ALL the necessary medical and nutritional care these dogs will need for a second chance. We have been focused on the daily TLC these dogs are so deserving of and we have witnessed the transformation of broken spirits and bodies into healthy, vibrant dogs anxious to find their forever families.

The unbroken spirit of the disabled dog is a humbling experience.  We provide just a little TLC and it's returned 10 fold.  All of these dogs work to get ready for their new homes - complete with wagging tails, big smiles, and a huge heart to share.  It's so important that we are able to continue helping dogs with disabilities.

Pets with Disabilities has succeeded for over 15 yrs because of the gifts these dogs choose to share  - teaching and opening hearts. They have taught us:

• Living with a wheelchair dog, it is a labor of love. Although their back legs may no longer be mobile, their spirit is certainly not broken. They are still the same dog you once loved and will continue to enjoy life with a little help from their family. The biggest challenge to most people is time, it will take time to put their dogs in and out of their wheelchair for daily exercise, it will take time to clean, many wheelchair dogs will have accidents, so you will have to invest in clever ways to keep it manageable. We have an area for our wheelchair dogs that is easy to clean and they feel like they are part of our family. The most amazing thing to witness was watching our border collie, Kiri still be able to herd sheep in a her wheelchair or watching Duke, enjoying his trail walks, even the most challenging he conquered in wheels. Seeing a dog a wheelchair enjoy life is the true meaning of unconditional human love. We are here to help with other questions and support when needed.
   

• Living with a blind dog is very similar to living with a sighted dog - many of the blind dogs at the rescue where born blind, so they are fearless in their movements and have acute hearing and smelling senses.  They may bump into something, but it's usually only once.  When we open the apartment doors - they come out the door, down the hall, and into the yard without missing a beat.  They will all jump up on their futon beds, and they like toys, and some how they always know where their person is for the hugs and belly rubs.  We really like our blind rescues to have a fenced yard and railings on any stairways.  We encourage you to open your heart to a blind dog - they will repay you with their huge heart!!
   

• Living with a deaf dog has many advantages!  You can come in the front door, put your coat and bags down before they know you're there and the greetings begin.  They are not thunder phobic.  The door bell does not create chaos.  Deaf dogs create a tremendous bond with their guardians - all communication is done with sight, so their eyes are always "on you".  We have met many people that have enjoyed learning "doggie sign language" and gotten creative in their heart connections to their dogs.  Deaf dogs seem to wag their tails as hard as any hearing dog. They love to chase their toys, cuddle, get belly rubs, and be with their person.  If you'd like a companion that won't complain about your singing voice or how loud you keep the TV - but will completely bond to your heart and moods -  experience the special relationship the deaf dogs love to have.
   

• Living with the 3 legged dogs and dogs with other physical disabilities - at Pets with Disabilities. We know these dogs have physical "disabilities" you can see - but they certainly don't have a disabled spirit.  They manage their missing leg or physical imperfection without missing a beat.  Their hearts are open, their eyes pleading for acceptance.  They may not be running marathons, but they will win your heart.

We also KNOW their spirits are NOT broken.  Thank you for your interest in our work.

Since Duke, we've been blessed to share our home and hearts with many friends with unbroken spirits - we know they are all with Duke now, watching over the rescue, and keeping us "rolling" with our mission.  Thank you to all of them for the gifts you shared, the courage you had, and the lessons of the heart you taught us everyday. You have been a partner in our mission at PWD - and you will always hold a place in our hearts.

In February 2019, under a bright sunny sky our Megan's final chapter in the physical world ended. No words can describe losing our true canine copartner. Sharing this sad news today is hard, but we all share some wonderful  memories of our Ambassador. We will miss her sweet gentle personality, lying in the sun her beautiful eyes looking up in the sky, her confidence, and "The Megan Siren" any change of energy good or bad at her place her siren would go off and we all knew we better get on it quick. Because of Megan so many hounds and blind dogs were rescued and adopted.

Megan will be remembered forever and we will cherish our memories and honor her life. So thankful we got that urgent call from a Richmond shelter, as she was slated for euthanasia. Mike jumped in the car and met the shelter manager at a rest stop by Richmond.
And the rest is now history for our sweet girl. Rest in eternal peace Megan.

Everyone loved Miss Megan.

Today is NOT a sad day but a day we are going to celebrate the life of our Ernie..  Ernie was our golden boy, the big white teddy bear would put a smile on everyone's face. Ernie had plenty of health challenges that he conquered over the years, but this past month his body was tired and we knew our golden boy was ready to leave the physical earth. We will miss our early morning wake up calls, we certainly did not need an alarm clock when Ernie was around, 430 am his unique bark would start. He was the main dude for our annual Camden Yards event, he was so energized meeting 1000's of people. He loved his home, his pack of wheelchair friends he shared his life with, and most important he loved all the people who cared for him, and how could you not love him right back.  Thank you to the New England Hospital "who did not give up on our Ernie" and took the time to reach out to us.        We are thankful to have given Ernie 13 additional healthy and happy years. One thing for certain, if anyone knew how to maneuver the universe, its Ernie. so he can remind all those he encounters that challenges can be met with panache, and he is forever living proof.

Not many people knew Pierce. He was born with deformed paws, but more than that, Pierce was fearful and shy. His early years were spent in a shelter isolated from the world, an event he would never overcome. When he arrived at PWD, he had never eaten from a bowl, slept on a bed, or experienced the care of humans in a positive way. He was essentially feral and required time and patience. His safe haven was our home, where he flourished in small ways. Pierce revealed himself to be a sweet pup who loved cats, his canine friends and cuddling with trusted humans. We were happy to see him able to exist and trust us and be comfortable - even his own version of joyful. Pierce was so strong and fragile at the same time, and managed to find a good life when given the chance, no matter how narrow the scope of that life. RIP our sweet Pierce……. You will always be in our hearts.

We say farewell to one of the kindest dogs ever to grace PWD….. Miss Charlotte. Charlotte came to us as an extremely abused and over-bred pit-bull who had no use of her back legs, and eventually lost the use the use of her front legs. Our vets determined her quadriplegia likely was from an injury, but could never establish either exactly how this injury occurred, or how it came to effect Charlotte so completely. What we do know is that Charlotte was living in terrible circumstance. When she was no longer able to breed, she became useless to those who were supposed to care for her, and was placed in a dark isolated closet for many years, until a Good Samarian alerted us about her.

We are so grateful that Good Samaritan came to us for help in changing Charlotte’s circumstances Charlotte was an incredibly loving and good-natured dog who enjoyed basking in the sunlight, rolling in the grass, her morning “walks” in the wagon around the rescue, and quality time with her loyal crew of visitors. She was a true testament to the virtues of the pit-bull breed — a benevolent soul, affectionate to all canines and humans. R.I.P Charlotte —— So thankful we were able to make your remaining years comfortable and full of light —— So happy that your final years did the very same for us. We love you, Charlotte, forever and a day.

June 2020 - After a long battle with cancer, we said goodbye to our feisty little terrier Dixie. She was an incredibly tough spirit right to the end, and we will never forget her.

Dixie’s departure marks the end of an era here at PWD. She was one amazing soul, and it was our honor and pleasure to care for her throughout those years.

While she was not always a fan of other canines, her wheelchair compatriots, especially Maddie and Ernie, were her much loved chosen family. She also was the quickest dog, with or without wheels! If Dixie and her fellow canine friends zeroed in on target, she would be the first one to arrive on the mark. Dixie, we hope Maddie, Ernie, and all your friends were there to greet you —— with healthy bodies —— and your favorite fresh, clean, warm blanket!

June 2020 - Another huge spirit has passed. Huey, our handsome, devilish, deaf Border Collie graced us with his presence for many years.  Huey kept us all on our toes and added lots of excitement -- especially when he decided he could escape! He never ventured too far….. just far enough to play, “Catch me if you can!” He entertained himself by watching us humans try, in vain, to meet his challenge!

We will miss your quirky personality, Huey…... your were one of a kind, and it was such a privilege to be in your sphere of exuberance! We are certain all the friends who went before you were anxiously awaiting your arrival with a “YAY! HOORAY! —— Huey is here! Let the fun begin!” Party on, precious Huey, party on!