My name is Laura Jones, and I am the new volunteer coordinator at the Charlottesville - Albemarle SPCA. I'll be a new voice on this blog, and my plan is to share stories and thoughts about our animals and the people who care for them. I was talking with one of our long time volunteers yesterday about the pleasures of adopting a special needs dog. (The same would apply to cats, but our conversation centered on dogs.) While not every dog is right for every family, and vice versa, I would like to make a plea for the deep meaning that adopting a special needs dog can give to your life. The joy of helping a shy dog overcome its fear and be more social is amazing. The feeling of fulfillment that adopting a dog with manageable medical issues can give you is deep and lasting. The sense of accomplishment you can get, and share with your dog, when you successfully help an unfocused or headstrong dog learn to follow your lead is life changing. Any relationship, whether with a person or an animal, leads to change and growth. The bigger the challenge, the bigger the reward. Dogs with special needs are wonderful animals with their own unique view of the world that can enrich ours. They just need someone to care and take the reins. Nothing happens overnight, but if you're willing to take the trip into the future with one of our more unique animals, you'll be enriched and rewarded in ways you didn't think possible. And if you take the chance, we're here to help.

Henry, pictured here, our older beagle who snuffles and snores like a bulldog, or a truffle hunting pig, is just one of our loveable and wonderful special needs dogs. We could barely take the photo because he was so energetic and cuddly!

Have you adopted a dog or cat who has changed your life, caused sacrifices but proved worth it in every way? Share your story with me at volunteer@caspca.org and I'll post it here. Thanks!