
Joy is the quarterly magazine for Joybound People & Pets!
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Inside This Issue
From Our CEO
Dear friends and partners,
Because of you, every page of this summer issue of JOY Magazine tells a story of care in action. Each moment you make possible — every rescued pet, every family supported, every life changed — ripples outward in ways that are both powerful and deeply personal.
This issue of the magazine captures what happens when love meets commitment. A child finds confidence by reading to a therapy dog. A once-fearful pup learns to feel safe again. Community cats receive critical care that improves and protects their lives. Service dogs-in-training practice navigating busy airports, preparing to support people who depend on them for independence and stability.
None of these stories happen by chance. They happen because of a shared belief that animals and people deserve connection, healing, and joy. That belief lives in every act of generosity, every hour of volunteer time, and every moment spent advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Even in the busiest season, animals remind us to pause, to be present, and to find joy in simple moments such as a shady rest in a hammock, a quiet walk, and a trusted companion nearby. You make these moments happen.
Thank you for making this work possible. The difference you create extends far beyond Joybound’s campus — into homes, families, and communities where pets find purpose and belonging. We are honored to do this work alongside you.
With gratitude and joy,

Susan Lee Vick
President & Chief Executive Officer
More Stories
Less Hustle. More Hammock.
Cleared for Takeoff, Powered by Paws
From Fearless to Fearless(ish)
Tail-Wagging Storytime
Ready When Disaster Strikes
From Street to Strong
We are Joybound People & Pets, formerly ARF, a privately funded, 501(c)(3) non-profit based in Walnut Creek, CA. With dog and cat rescue and adoption at the heart of its mission, Joybound forms, supports, elevates, and celebrates the human-animal bond through services such as training and veterinary care, food and supply assistance, therapy and service-animal programs, and rich learning resources for all pet families.
On the Cover: Tony and Jake, a Joybound Shelter to Service Team
Photo Credit: Chelsea Blackburn
Publisher: Susan Lee Vick
Editor: Mawiyah Johnson
Writers: Chelsea Blackburn, Jim Oswald, Mawiyah Johnson




