Support Ruff Life's Staff and Dogs after Helenes destruction

Supporting the Dog Community After Hurricane Helene

Dear Friends,

My name is Tessa Anderson and I am a dog trainer from Minnesota, along with my friend Shelby Doyle who is a dog trainer from Virgina and we both are volunteers with The Malinios Rescue League we are pleading for help for the Ruff Life team, in Asheville NC. Shelby and I taught a seminar and spent a week with the dogs and staff and owner of Ruff Life and fell in love with the Ruff Life pack after a client of Ruff Life adopted one of our beloved rescues! Tessa (yes there are two Tessa's who train dogs!) who owns and founded Ruff Life and her wife Erica are having a baby, any day. The Hurricane has left the Ruff Life Center and the City of Asheville in shambles.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Ruff Life Dog Training in Asheville, NC has faced unprecedented challenges and is decimated. Thankfully the staff of 16 hardworking people and their pets are all accounted for. This devastating storm has left the center grappling with significant damage to the facilities, rendering the center uninhabitable and unusable. There are emergency supply shortages, limited electric and water in the area and a dire need to support the dedicated staff who depend on the paychecks from Ruff Life. Tessa and her staff need some funds to bridge the gap until FEMA funds make it to the area.

At Ruff Life Dog Training, Tessa and her staff have always been committed to enriching the lives of dogs and their owners through compassionate and effective training. Their mission is to foster a community where every dog has the chance to thrive, and every owner has the tools and knowledge to create a loving home environment through social opportunities. Tessa opened the center in 2018 and Ruff Life is a cornerstone of Asheville Dog Culture and a home to many dogs!

Hurricane Helene has had a profound impact on their operations and the community. The storm decimated the training facilities, leaving Ruff Life with a critical need for repairs and the replacement of essential equipment so that they can provide safe harbor the staff and dogs in the area. Moreover, the disruption to the entire area has led to loss of life and homes, and most likely it will take families in the community months to recover. This leaves a gap. Until FEMA funds make it to the team, we can all help.

How You Can Help

We are reaching out to the dog community and beyond for support. Your donations will be instrumental in helping Tessa and the Ruff life Pack rebuild and continue their mission. Specifically, funds raised will be used to:

• Provide Emergency Funds for Staff Pay: Ensuring that the Ruff Life staff members, who have demonstrated unwavering dedication during this crisis, receive the financial support they need. This is the immediate need.

• Support Emergency Supplies: Acquiring the necessary supplies to resume training programs and get back to serving the community's dogs and their owners as quickly as possible, when possible.

• Facility Repairs: Restoring the damaged facilities to ensure a safe and conducive environment for training and to rebuild the social lives of the dogs.

Your contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant difference in the recovery and future of Ruff Life Dog Training. Together, we can help the Ruff Life Pack overcome this adversity and continue to provide exceptional training and support for the dogs and families who depend on them.

Thank You

We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of you for your support, compassion, and solidarity. With your help, they will rebuild and emerge stronger, continuing to make a positive impact in the lives of dogs and their owners.