Welcome to Episode 5 of the Who Cares… Podcast! 🎉

In this heartfelt episode, we’re honored to welcome Piper Wood, the Founder and President of Hand in Paw Animal Rescue 🐾❤️. Piper shares her inspiring journey from rescuing and rehabilitating her first rescue dog to building an organization dedicated to giving animals a second chance at life.

Join Wendy and Piper as they explore the emotional challenges of working in animal rescue and the joy that comes from seeing lives transformed. Piper opens up about her emotional first rescue and how it shaped her mission to make a difference.

Throughout their conversation, Piper highlights the critical role of fosters and donations in supporting animal rescue efforts, as well as the immense challenges shelters face in meeting the overwhelming demand. From addressing resource shortages to finding loving homes, Piper sheds light on the realities of animal advocacy and why it’s work worth caring about.

💬 Whether you’re an animal lover, a pet parent, or someone curious about the impact of rescue work, this episode will touch your heart and inspire you to get involved.

🐶Learn more about Piper’s impactful rescue at Hand in Paw Rescue

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Learn more about Piper Wood, Founder of Hand in Paw Animal Rescue

Can you tell us about your background and what led you into this profession?
I’ve been a behavioral therapist, a police officer, and a restaurant and private chef/caterer. I studied psychology at usc for my undergrad, cal state la for masters in autism/ABA, and masters in criminal justice at Boston U. I NEVER imagined I’d be an animal rescuer full time. I quit my job as a private chef so that I could focus my time 100% on the animals once I saw how horrific the crisis was. I saw a post about a dog in a shelter with 5000 comments, and not one person was doing anything except saying, “someone do something” or “I wish I could help”…. what’s stopping us? I decided that day that nothing would or could stop me. That was 12 years ago! So while I’m here and doing nothing associated with my past careers, all the experience in those fields has prepared me emotionally and physically for demands of rescue work.

What drives you professionally and personally?
Having learned so much about the scope of the crisis of animal homelessness, abuse, and neglect throughout the years, I know my work is never done. And I will not stop until my dying breath. I believe this is my calling and what God has always meant for me.

What are your 5 core values?
God, compassion, integrity, perseverance, hard work

What motivates you?
Being able to take a dog from the most dismal conditions and transform them into a healthy, beautiful dog that becomes the most loved member of a family is what keeps me going on the toughest days. There is so much inevitable heartbreak in rescue, but I know there will always be more that need help. To have the opportunity to give a dog a chance at a new life is my honor.

Who is Piper, the person, the CEO, founder and president, and animal activist?

Follower of Christ, constantly trying to improve myself and be good to everyone around me. I am the proudest mom to my son, holden, whom I love more than anything. My family is everything to me. I am dedicated 365 days to helping animals and doing right by the animals in our care. My happiness is derived from my family and my work.