Help HolistaPet & Dr.Kwane Change A Life

Richard is an unhoused Veteran who has been unwilling to accept a home that won’t include his pets. Help us get Richard a home and Princess Leia a yard. “If you take the responsibility of becoming a pet owner, then they have to come first” ~ Richard

Meet Richard and his “baby,” Princess Leia. Let’s start with Princess Leia because that’s how Richard would want it. Princess Leia is a three-year-old pitbull that Richard has had since she was born. He describes her as loyal, loving and rambunctious. Richard and Princess Leia are literally inseparable, and that’s where the story begins.

Richard is a US Veteran who has been homeless for the past two years. He has been living out of his vehicle for the past two years with Princess Leia and his 14-year-old pug Puddin, who he also had since she was a puppy. Sadly Puddin passed away earlier this year. Now it’s just Richard and Princess Leia, which he describes as having a very special bond. They are with each other 24 hours a day. Recently Richard was approached by a family member who wanted to provide him with a place to stay at their home. The offer, unfortunately, wouldn’t allow him to bring his pets, so Richard declined. “I can’t give them up. I don’t trust anyone else to take care of them.”

Insert Dr. Kwane, veterinarian and founder of Project Street Vet, the nonprofit organization that provides free veterinarian care to pets of folks experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Dr. Kwane met Richard while doing outreach work in San Diego. “ I met Richard and his pups, and after spending a few minutes with him, I was immediately moved by his story. His loyalty to his pets was incredible,” recalls Dr. Kwane.

After posting a video on social media, there was an outpouring of support and a desire to help Richard and Princess Leia further. Richard's words resonated with pet parents and animal lovers as a symbol of what all pet parents should strive to be, and we wanted to help more. That’s when Holista Pet stepped in. “We immediately fell in love with Richard's story for many reasons. At HolistaPet, we believe every pet deserves to live a happy and healthy life. That's why we created HolistaPet Helps, a community give-back program that provides deserving pets with a new leash on life. Whether it's providing food and supplies to animal shelters, finding homes for stray dogs and cats, or sponsoring life-changing veterinary care, we're committed to making a difference in the lives of deserving pets everywhere. “

Unfortunately, Richard’s vehicle has had mechanical issues, and the heater recently stopped working. Princess Leia and Richard have found themselves huddled up in the backseat on colder nights. HolistaPet decided to start there and present Richard with a new vehicle.

But HolistaPet and Dr. Kwane don’t want to stop there. That’s where you come in. Help us get Richard a home and Princess Leia a yard. A long-term reward for his service and loyalty.

Together we can change a life!

Thank you,

HolistaPet & Dr. Kwane

@drkwane @holistapethelps @holistapet