GreatBabies Rescue doing great things . . . .

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Helping hand inspires dog rescue group to reach out Brian and Terry Holzheimer are seen with one of the dogs they and their fellow volunteers at Great Babies Rescue in rural Orleans are working to rehabilitate. (Photo by Miles Flynn) by Miles Flynn

• Thu, Jun 06, 2013 When Great Babies Rescue, a dog rescue located just southwest of Orleans, benefitted from a generous donation of pet food, the organization decided to pay it forward. The food, several skids of it, came to Great Babies from the Breeders Assistance Program Breed Rescue, which is part of the Cat Fanciers Food Pantry. The late John Bierre, who had been the chairman of the pantry, had a vision to use a 97,000-pound donation from the Royal Canin pet food company to launch a program nationwide called Cats Helping Dogs. “This is amazing,” said Terry Holzheimer of Great Babies. “I was just blessed that God put us in their path.“ The shipment is a big help to the rescue, which goes through 150 pounds of food per day. However, it’s going to make other positive impacts, too. “Somebody’s helping us, and we’re able to help other people in need in this area,” Terry explained. Going to the Orange County Humane Society was 767 pounds of the food. “It’s a good thing, definitely,” said Manager Nikki Childers. “We run off of donations. If we don’t get donations like these, we would never be able to stay open.” Other beneficiaries included the Boxer Babies rescue in Crawford County, Red Sky Rescue in Scott County and a shelter on Long Island in New York. Even individual local pet owners that could use a helping hand are being encouraged to contact the group for help.

Great Babies can be reached at 502-751-2338 or via email at greatbabiesrescue@yahoo.com . What’s most exciting to Terry is that the food deliveries could become a regular happening. She pointed out that the pantry has indicated it might make quarterly deliveries, as long as there are animals in need. Great Babies Rescue is now home to several dogs that have been rescued from all over the United States. Many are special-needs animals that have severe health problems or were badly abused. The crew at Great Babies works with the dogs for at least six months to help them recover and get them ready to go to good homes. Adoptions are made through an application process. Great care is put into matching dogs with would-be owners by considering factors such as temperament and energy levels. Also to ensure that the animals are ready for their new owners, the Holzheimer family uses a rotating schedule to bring all of the dogs into their home. Although the operation started with great danes and boxers in mind, many other types of dogs have been helped through the years. At one point, the facility was home to more than 30 Boston terriers. “We do what God sends,” Terry explained. “Most of the dogs would be dead if they weren’t here.” Backing up her words, she noted that one of the dogs rescued, a great dane named Serenity, was picked up just 20 minutes before she was due to be euthanized. “Twenty minutes away from dead,” Terry commented. “She is always smiling.” Terry, her husband, Bryan, their family and other volunteers brought Great Babies Rescue to its present location in 2008. “It’s just grown leaps and bounds,” Bryan reported. Donations of money, food and time are what makes it all possible. “We are always looking for volunteers,” Terry shared. One of the people who lends a hand at the facility is Dee Endicott, who explained that she was put in touch with Great Babies by Dr. Brad Cooper following the death of her own beloved boxer. She’s been helping out ever since. With help, Terry wants the facility to grow even more on the eight-acre site and evolve into a full-fledged sanctuary. “I couldn’t imagine not doing it,” she said of the rescue.

“They’re my family; they just have four legs.