“There was something about him that just grabbed my heart immediately.”
As the cofounder of The Healing Hero Project, an organization dedicated to pairing veterans with rescue animals, Lauren Cook has met plenty of fearful shelter dogs. And yet, when Cook first saw Benny at a Texas kennel, the animal lover couldn’t help but feel a special connection with the pup.
“He was so scared and so distrustful,” Cook said in a video for The Dodo. “There was something about him that just grabbed my heart immediately.”
Lauren Cook
Cook quickly agreed to foster Benny. The anxious boy required lots of love and patience, but luckily he’d found a great place to adjust. When Benny began eating treats out of Cook’s hand, the dog lover knew they were on the right track.
“That was a huge milestone,” Cook said.
Lauren Cook
A couple of days later, Benny allowed Cook to rub his ears, which Cook realized was his absolute favorite thing. From there, Benny began asking for pets and playtime nearly constantly. The pup who used to cower in his kennel had suddenly transformed into a social butterfly.
“It got to the point where if I stopped [petting him], he would let me know that he was not done and he needed more affection,” Cook said.
Soon it was time for Benny to begin his transition to a permanent home. Clad in a handsome blue bandana, Benny began meeting potential adopters.
“The best part about this whole journey is that Ben is going to get his happy ending,” Cook said. “I have seen such a tremendous change in him.”
Lauren Cook
Finally, Benny connected with the perfect person.
“I’m so happy to share with you guys the best Benny update ever,” Cook said in an Instagram video. “He is going to his forever home.”
To help other dogs like Benny, make a donation to The Healing Hero Project.
