Like My Own Child w/ Hope Dawson

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An Essential Part of the Family, There When Needed The Most

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About The Episode

After having plenty of dogs growing up as a kid within her family, it was only right for Hope and her own kids to try to find one for them. Eventually, they found the dog for them at an adoption fair. It was love at first sight, and both Hope and her kids all knew right away. Just a puppy at that time, Coco grew to truly be part of their family.

When Hope went through a domestic violence situation and was displaced from her home, she was worried about the separation between her and Coco. At first, she found her a boarding place with a rescue agency that would have her for 30 days. But even in that initial period, it was already a hard time of being in different places and not having Coco’s support or being able to look after her.

Luckily, however, Hope was able to find out about Urban Resource Institue’s program called People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) that would allow her, her kids, and Coco to all be able to live together under the program. Before that, she hadn’t even known a pet-friendly shelter was an option (and it would be a surprise to most, as PALS is the first of its kind in New York City). Being in the PALS program, they provided help with food, dog toys, and more. But most important was just the ability to be in this space together, to get through this tough time.

About The Guest - Hope Dawson

Hope Dawson is a mother of two kids and a wonderful dog, Coco, who all come together to be a family. After going through a domestic violence situation, Hope was able to go to the People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program in New York City at the Urban Resource Institute (URI), where they were able to stay together. Coco helped Hope, and the kids, during this unsettling time and gave them much-needed support to get through it.

About The Organizations - Urban Resource Institute (URI) and People and Animals Living Safely (PALS)

Urban Resource Institute (URI) is a Manhattan-based nonprofit organization that offers services for communities in need, including survivors of domestic violence and other marginalized communities. For 40 years now, they have been impacting New York City across the five boroughs (and even into Westchester).

Since 2013, URI has provided refuge to abused women, men, children, and their pets. That year, URI launched their People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program, the first of its kind and the first and only initiative in New York City to allow victims and their pets to live together. One of the greatest benefits of pet-friendly domestic violence shelters is keeping pets and their parents together during the recovery process.

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