The Heart of New Bark City: Meet Our Founder, Rene
I spent my career as a nurse caring for people in their most vulnerable moments. I learned that healing isn't just about medicine—it’s about dignity, routine, and never being left to fight alone. Today, I realize my journey mirrors the dogs I save. I know what it’s like to be 'broken' by a situation out of your control.
The Calling & The Storm
Rene has spent her life in the medical field. From her start as a teenage EMT to her years as a Medical Assistant and eventually a Nurse, caregiving was never just a job, it was her calling. However, that calling was forever changed on Mother’s Day in 2010. While bringing flowers to residents on her day off, Rene was the victim of a tragic patient attack that left her with permanent physical damage, forcing her into retirement in 2011.
From Shadows to Sanctuary
The years that followed were a battle with physical scars, PTSD, and severe depression. Like many of the "Red-Listed" dogs that arrive at New Bark City, Rene lived as a scared introvert, struggling to find her way back. Through the unwavering support of her children, her therapist, and her mother, who served as her absolute rock, Rene began the slow process of "getting back out there." She realized that while she could no longer be a nurse in a hospital, her heart for service was still beating.
A Clinical Mission with a Mother’s Heart
Rene founded New Bark City All Paws Rescue because she recognizes herself in the animals the world calls "unadoptable." When she looks at a dog on a euthanasia list, she doesn't see a "behavioral problem" or a "lost cause"; she sees a soul in need of the same patience, therapy, and community that saved her.
Today, Rene applies 30+ years of medical expertise to the "Hard Cases." Whether she is managing complex wound care, singing a soothing contralto melody to a terrified arrival, or perfecting a "No-Crumble" recipe to build trust, Rene’s mission is clear: To provide a "Soft Landing" for those who have been through the storm. Because she has walked that path, she knows exactly how to lead them home.
