My name is Jamie T. and I am in recovery. I have been clean and sober since 04/17/15. The first time I went into treatment for my addiction was March of 2014. I had to leave my 15-year-old dog, Ginger, at a Day Care Center. I ended up leaving early because I was so worried about Ginger and could not focus on treatment. Ginger passed a few months later and I was devastated which would lead to bad relapse. When I was ready to go back to treatment, I found myself in the same dilemma. I had recently adopted my new puppy, Shey, and did not know where to turn. I had heard about Dogs Matter in a 12 STEP meeting and decided to give them a call. Without hesitation, they came to my apartment and explained the process and the paperwork. I knew without a doubt that Shey was going to be good hands. Shey was picked up on April 15, 2015 and I boarded a plane on my way to treatment at Michael’s House Treatment Center in Palm Springs, California.

During my inpatient treatment at Michael’s House, Dogs Matter sent pictures of Shey playing in the backyard of his Foster home. With that reassurance, I was able to completely focus on my recovery so I could be the best doggie daddy that Shey deserved. After thirty days in rehab, I was on my way home to Dallas and the first stop was to pick-up Shey at the Foster house. Shey bounced in the air like a kangaroo when he saw me and then ran and brought me a stick. I burst into tears knowing I had done the right thing for the both of us.

Shey and I have come a long way in two years. Shey has become an award-winning Dock Dog Diver. His biggest competition was placing first with a jump of 21’4” at the Smoky Mountain Dock Dogs. My biggest accomplishment besides my sobriety is graduating from community college. I now live in Boulder, Colorado, pursuing my bachelor’s degree in psychology at Naropa University. I am a Lead Advocate with Heroes in Recovery and work with recovering addicts and alcoholics at an alcohol education center. Without Dogs Matter, there is no possible way that I would be where I am today. Shey has been a big part of my recovery, giving me motivation, responsibility and unconditional love during the rough days. Shey and I will be forever grateful to Dogs Matter.