Groucho's Family
Groucho's Family (Josie and her son Christopher) became involved with animals when they raised their first puppy for Guide Dogs for the Blind (GDB) back in 1998.
They soon began volunteering at a local animal shelter and transporting shelter dogs to foster homes and foster dogs to permanent homes from Long Beach to Washington, Oregon, Arizona, and Nevada.
After raising five dogs for GDB (two breeders and two working Guide Dogs), their last dog, Groucho, did not complete the training program and his family was thrilled to bring him home to Long Beach. Groucho was the main catalyst in creating BARK.
In 2005, Josie went to Victorville to help Noahs Wish rescue and shelter animals during the San Bernardino Fires. Since becoming a trained member of the organization she has helped at the Lake Tahoe Fires (7/07) and was the first to arrive on scene at the San Diego Fires (10/07).
Josie also helps with TNR (trap, neuter, return) of feral cats, feeding orphaned bottle-baby kittens, and spay/neuter clinics in Compton, Watts, and South Central Los Angeles.
For more information about these programs, go to ANIMAL PROGRAMS
Josie's story in Long Beach Magazine - March 2008: Long Beach Magazine
Rusti's Family
Rusti's mom, Bette, is a certified dog trainer and a credentialed teacher who tutors and designs individualized programs for children from kindergarten through 5th grade.
Willow's Family
Willow's family has been puppy raisers for Guide Dogs of America for 13 years. They have raised eight puppies and are now a foster family for Willow, a breeder. They are her foster family because they received Willow when she was an adult and had already been chosed as a breeder. Guide Dogs of America is a non-profit organization that has been providing guide dogs free of charge to the visually impaired since 1948.
