Eva looked up at us with scared eyes. Her body was covered with painful, raw skin that shined under the bright lights of the exam room. Her wounds were likely the result of a burn, perhaps chemical, but there was no way to know for sure. Whatever had happened to the sweet terrier, it had left scars on more than just her body. She was terrified of humans and cowered from every touch.

Every year, Animal Humane Society welcomes hundreds of dogs transported from overcrowded, underfunded shelters in the south. Each one arrives with a unique history, a past we may never fully understand. And like Eva, some wear their stories on their bodies for all to see.

No matter where an animal comes from, no matter what they’ve been through, we work tirelessly to provide each animal with the individualized care they need and deserve.

We knew that Eva’s trust would be hard to earn. But unless we could help her overcome her fear of people, she wouldn’t find the loving home she needed. So our Behavior Modification and Rehabilitation team began a specialized plan using positive reinforcement to help Eva regain her confidence.

We worked patiently with Eva for six weeks. Finally, after a session with one of our trainers, Eva curled up in her caregivers’ lap and fell asleep. That’s when we knew she was ready to find a home of her own where she’d be loved every day.

Eva spent five days in our adoption center before a family decided she was the perfect dog for them. She left AHS with her head held high and her tail wagging with delight. We may never know exactly what occurred in Eva’s past, but we are certain her best adventures are yet to come.

Stories like Eva’s aren’t uncommon. With your help, we can change the world for the animals who need us the most. One dog, one cat, one critter at a time.