Shawn Leopold never imagined that her daily walks would soon change dramatically the day she noticed a new dog making the rounds through the neighborhood. She was a gentle, bright-eyed pup named Meadow. Curious, Shawn approached two women from her neighborhood during one of their walks and learned that Meadow was a career change dog from Dogs for Better Lives (DBL), a national organization that trains Assistance Dogs. Rita, a Puppy Raiser for DBL, spent nearly a year preparing Meadow for service work when it became clear that Meadow would prefer life as a beloved pet and found her forever home with Rita—and, to Shawn’s surprise, a connection with her
Rita, Meadow, and Jean take a moment to pose for the camera during a meal together
From that first introduction, Shawn was invited to join the daily walks with Meadow – once in the morning with Rita’s sister Jean and then again in the afternoon with Rita. Three humans and one eager, four-legged explorer making the rounds each day. Shawn and Meadow bonded faster than she expected – it became Shawn’s favorite times in each day.
Then everything changed. Shawn suffered a serious fall that left her with a Trimalleolar Ankle Fracture, an injury requiring a long, difficult recovery. For someone who had always been active, the sudden shift to being homebound was devastating. The physical pain was paired with an emotional weight she hadn’t anticipated.
Missing their walks, Rita and Jean began bringing Meadow for daily visits. Those visits quickly became the brightest moments of Shawn’s days. Meadow’s calm, gentle presence soothed her anxiety and lifted her spirits when she needed it most. More than companionship, Meadow offered something deeper—motivation. Shawn found herself determined to heal, to regain her strength, and to return to the daily walks that had brought her so much joy.
“I am deeply grateful for the role Meadow played in my healing,” Shawn said, “and I wanted to share how she made a difference in my life.”
Though Meadow never became a certified Service Dog, she provided Shawn with the same kind of healing—one that touched both her body and her spirit. And Shawn wasn’t the only one helped by Meadow’s quiet gift. When Shawn’s cousins kept vigil during their mother’s final hours, Meadow’s loving presence comforted them too, offering peace during a profoundly difficult moment.
Inspired by these experiences, the Leopolds decided they wanted to ensure others could receive the healing support of a dog. They chose to include Dogs for Better Lives in their trust, creating a legacy gift that will help extend healing, independence, and safety to future generations.
DBL remains deeply grateful for individuals like the Leopolds—people whose generosity today will create a lasting impact for someone in this world that they will never meet.
Do you want to leave a lasting legacy through Service Dogs? Learn more about becoming a member of our Guardian Society and access free tools for legacy planning.
