SECOND CHANCE: NO BARRIERS

05 Jun SECOND CHANCE: NO BARRIERS

Sawyer

Second Chance Humane Society has been invited to participate in the “No Barriers Summit” coming to Telluride August 8-11.

The Summit is designed to “bring together a community of participants who embrace their barriers and learn to harness them for their own good and the good of the community.” It provides transformative experiences that empower people “to embrace a ‘no barriers’ mindset and discover the potential that lies within themselves and the world.” Second Chance is excited to collaborate on this event, which recognizes the importance of humanity’s partnerships with animals in helping us overcome challenges.

People with disabilities confront unique barriers in their daily lives, but the human-animal bond has long worked as a means of closing the gap. The physical, mental, and emotional support pets provide to their humans is often most clear in their relationships with people with unique challenges. Service animals can offer individuals with disabilities more freedom to navigate the world independently. Similarly, animals with disabilities provide examples of all that is really possible with an open mind and open heart.

At the Summit, Second Chance will he helping to highlight how animals support us, inspire us, motivate us, and more. The mission of “No Barriers” is to unleash the potential of the human spirit. Second Chance’s participation will be about showing how animals help us to do that. The event also features many outdoor community events, including a block party in the Town of Telluride, an outdoor movie screening, and several gatherings of “No Barriers University,” where leading scientists and inventors share the latest innovations in adaptive technology. Other novelties are scheduled to be showcased in a unique exhibition at Innovation Village in Mountain Village.

Second Chance will be in attendance at the Innovation Village with pets with disabilities, service animals, and homeless pets (who will be demonstrating that the barrier of being homeless does not change their impact upon others). Additionally, we are organizing volunteers to “chaperone” service dogs while their humans are participating in various clinics throughout the weekend. And we’ll be hosting a booth to demonstrate the tangible positive impact of pets upon our mind-body systems.

This Summit is unique, celebrating what is possible by fostering creativity and inventiveness, creating a sense of community and inspiration, and opening the door for participants to tackle the barriers they live with on a daily basis and create a life rich in fulfillment, purpose and impact.

If you would like to volunteer with us during this incredible event, or you have a pet with a disability that you feel would find benefit, and benefit others, by participating in our “Animals Beyond Barriers Booth,” please contact us to learn more.

The tagline of “No Barriers” is this: “What’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way.” Currently, we have a dog here at Second Chance who embodies that idea.

Sawyer is an Aussie male who was born deaf and partially blind, but nothing prevents him from living fully. He shares his love with all he meets like there is no tomorrow and is active and engaged in life without hesitation. He is quickly learning sign language and is eager for a special family to call his own.

Prince

Prince is a royal cat who has been with Second Chance for some time due to a disability “of a sensitive nature” that requires an adopter with a compassionate heart. Although he requires a special diet and a bit more cleaning than a normal cat, Prince has been given a prognosis for a full and happy life. He is currently in foster care, but his biggest barrier is finding that special someone who will commit to him for life.

Editor’s note: It’s no secret. The Telluride region is dog heaven. Unless you are one of our furry friends who gets caught in the maw of neglect and abuse. Then heaven is on hold until Second Chance Humane Society comes to the rescue.  Second Chance is the region’s nonprofit dedicated to saving animals’ lives and promoting responsible pet parenting and human-animal bond. In her weekly blog, executive director Kelly Goodin profiles two of the many animals now living at the no-kill shelter, Angel Ridge Shelter, a dog and a cat, hoping to find them loving permanent homes. The column is sponsored by Ted Hoff of Cottonwood Ranch & Kennel, who from time to time exercises his skills as a dog whisperer, partnering with Kelly and her staff to help train a particularly challenging animal.

By the by, there is no better place to park your pup than Cottonwood whenever you head out of town (for locals) or are heading to town and staying somewhere that does not allow pets. Consider joining Ted’s Very Important Dog (VID) Club for added benies. (Details on Ted’s website.)

Second Chance Humane Society Animal Resource Center and Thrift Shop are both located in Ridgway, but service San Miguel, Ouray & Montrose Counties. Call the SCHS Helpline at 626-2273 to report a lost pet, learn about adopting a homeless pet, or about the SCHS Spay/Neuter, Volunteer, Feral Cat, or other Programs. View the shelter pets and services online: www.adoptmountainpets.org.