PEOPLE YOU CAN COUNT ON

9/2/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Grand Junction is so happy to be apart of giving back to someone who gives to the community.

In this month's” People You Can count on” (PYCCO), SERVPRO and Housing Resources brings you the story of a woman who is using her love of animals to change the lives of so many people and dogs on the Western Slope. With nearly 50 dogs to care for, Debbie Faulkner has let her passion become her work. "I had no brothers and sisters and I grew up on a ranch and my buddies were dogs and animals of all kind," says Faulkner. This must be where Debbie got it because her entire life she has been bringing home stray dogs and cats. At Black Canyon Animal Sanctuary, Debbie and a small group of volunteers spend their days caring for the 4-legged friends that calls Debbie's 40acres the ranch home. Debbie is out with the dogs from 8 until 6 every day, then she is back at night and puts everybody to bed. There is a big difference with this shelter verses other shelters. We are a communal living environment she says. "Which means, the environment is more like a dog daycare." But their mission is to let the sanctuary be a temporary place, until they can find a permanent place to call home. "We have about 50 dogs at all times and we have a fairly high adoption rate, it's about 80%," describes Faulkner. "We're a licensed animal shelter in the state of Colorado." Threw Debbie’s shelter she also provides various programs to help both dogs and people. "Silver Whisker dogs”, which is a program where we match senior dogs with senior people. There is a lot of senior dogs with senior people and what would have been the alternative if something happened? Threw programs like Silver Whiskers it's not just the dogs that are finding their place in life. Debbie says to see the joy, happiness, and laughter is life changing! “Whether you're ill or whether it's just part of the process," says Silver Whiskers program member Bett Barron-Cyr. "I didn't know that I was lonely until I got a companion. Faulkner knows how important the companionship of a dog can be, so she makes sure so many are able to be a part of the program. The qualifications are if they are disabled no matter their age and if they are over 65, then they qualify for the Silver Whiskers program.   There are various levels, and they pay for everything. There is a volunteer advocate assigned to each dog, which takes food and whatever else they need. They check on them periodically. The sanctuary is funded and ran through donations and what Debbie is able to put into it herself. "We spent $48,000 last year to keep this place running and we brought in $48,500," says Faulkner. Debbie has amazing energy, and puts her heart in this mission. The help of all the volunteers are amazing too! Despite the cost, Debbie says, knowing she's changing the lives of both dogs and people, is the reason she continues to open her gates to those in need. Giving back joy is Debbie Faulkner’s whole mission in life.

This story is why SERVPRO of GRAND JUNCTION and Housing Resources, has chosen Debbie Falkner for this month’s "People You Can Count On."  THANK YOU NEWS CHANNEL 5.

If you would like to learn more or donate to The Black Canyon Animal Sanctuary, you can visit, http://www.blackcanyonanimalsanctuary.com