When Ashlee Chaidez was reunited with her black Lab mix, Duck, after months of separation, she knew that all her struggles had been worth it. Duck, whose face showed a little more gray than before, charged towards her and rubbed his face against her cheek, showing his affection for his beloved owner.
About six months ago, Chaidez and Duck were living out of her car in the Front Range area. Chaidez had to drop Duck off at a doggy daycare while she worked for Instacart to earn money to board him. She was barely breaking even financially, off her mental health medication, and in need of help. The idea of giving up Duck, her best friend and source of motivation, while seeking psychiatric care was a difficult decision for her.
Through a program by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Chaidez was able to find a foster caregiver for Duck while she focused on getting back on her feet.
Reflecting on the program, Chaidez said, “This gave me the peace of mind to get the help I needed, and I don’t think I would be where I am now without this program.”
The program, known as Pawsitive Recovery, was launched in Denver in 2021 and has been instrumental in helping many individuals like Chaidez. The initiative aims to provide foster care for pets of people recovering from addiction, abuse, or mental health issues.
For Chaidez, the program was life-changing. She was able to receive the medical care she needed, secure a job, and find her own apartment. Throughout the challenging times in her recovery, the thought of reuniting with Duck kept her motivated.
On the day of their reunion, Chaidez was nervous about how Duck would react. However, Duck’s excitement and affection towards her reassured her that she had made the right decision.
As Chaidez crawled into bed that night with Duck by her feet, she realized the significance of the milestone she had achieved. “I did it,” she said. “I was in my own place, I have my own bed, my dog is back, and it really clicked. Even though it was so hard to give him up, I made the right decision.”
