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Smile File

Looking for a little joy? Check out our Smile File, a collection of inspirational stories and updates that are sure to put a smile on your face.

A smiling white dog with black spots stands on a concrete surface. The dog is wearing a harness and looking directly at the camera, showcasing its happy expression. In the background are blurred legs of a person wearing blue shoes.

Want to add a story to our Smile File? We’d love to hear from you!

Smile File Stories

Measure X Helps Keep Carmen and Kodi Together

September 25, 2026

How Measure X is Breaking Down Barriers to Care “Kodi is my support. Thank you for giving me another chance.” For 80-year-old Carmen, becoming a pet guardian for the first time was both exciting and a little overwhelming. Since welcoming Kodi, a Pomeranian + Havanese mix, into her home in March 2026, the pair have become…
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Spotlight on Carissa

September 22, 2026

Carissa’s Journey as a Shelter to Service Foster “Volunteer foster training — it’s my favorite job that I don’t get paid for. I tell that to everybody.”.” When Carissa found herself between jobs, she felt a strong need to reconnect with a sense of purpose. While searching for opportunities to give back, she discovered Shelter…
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Thrifting with a Purpose

August 28, 2026

You Never Know What You’ll Find! Walking into the Joybound Thrift Store, Cat Lounge & Adoption Center, you just never know what you’ll find! Whether you’re shopping on a budget, searching for a one-of-a-kind gem, just enjoying the thrill of thrifting, or even hoping to cuddle a super-cute kitty, Joybound’s Concord location has you covered.…
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A Lifeline for Jupiter

August 18, 2026

How Access to Care Kept a Family Together “I don’t think you need to be rich to be able to have a pet. As long as you love them and care for them, that’s what matters.” When Marselena noticed something was wrong with Jupiter, she trusted her instincts. Her large tabby cat was usually the first one…
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Spotlight on Syreeta & Murphy

August 7, 2026

How a Psychiatric Service Dog Restored Syreeta’s World “Life would be very small, very reclusive, if it wasn’t for [Murphy]. I wouldn’t do much of anything. He’s what I needed to make a change.” After retiring from the transportation industry in 2022 following a traumatic workplace mass shooting, Syreeta Moore found her world shrinking. The…
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Spotlight on Steve & Glenda

August 7, 2026

The Speros Have Found an Innovative Way to Keep Pets Cozy “For 23 years, Glenda and I have been picking up [blankets] once a week… in those 23 years, we have brought over about 45,000 blankets.” For over two decades, Steve and Glenda Spero have been making a quiet yet profound impact on the comfort…
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Spotlight on Brenda & Rick

August 5, 2026

How the Rubinos Take Cat Enrichment to the Next Level “We get out more, we’re off our phones, we’re off TV… It’s a win-win.” After spending six months without pets in their house, Brenda and Rick Rubino knew it was time to welcome animals back into their lives. Their children had left for college, and…
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Tail-Wagging Storytime

July 27, 2026

Therapy Dogs Help Kids Fall in Love with Reading What happens when an eager child with a book meets a sweet dog who loves to listen? Something special unfolds, turning a simple reading moment into a confidence-building experience full of comfort and connection. Nine-year-old Holden arrived at the Walnut Creek Library ready to read, but…
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Ready When Disaster Strikes

June 27, 2026

Hands-On Training to Rescue and Protect Animals in Times of Crisis When disaster strikes, animals depend on people who are trained, prepared, and ready to act. This June, Joybound People & Pets and Animal Search and Rescue (ASAR) brought together more than 70 animal emergency response professionals from across the West Coast and beyond for…
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Less Hustle. More Hammock.

June 25, 2026

What Your Pet Already Knows About Slowing Down and Soaking Up Summer I f you share your home with a pet, you’ve probably noticed that they have a wonderfully uncomplicated approach to summer, embracing the season one shady nap and evening walk at a time. While we’re checking calendars and making plans, our pets are…
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From Fearless to Fearless(ish)

June 24, 2026

Isaac Learned to Love Again When a dog struggles with fear or anxiety, everyday moments can suddenly feel overwhelming, for both the dog and the person who loves them. That was the case for Isaac Newton Asimov, a spirited Pomeranian mix whose reactions to routine handling made even simple interactions difficult. Petting, grooming, or clipping…
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Cleared for Takeoff, Powered by Paws

June 23, 2026

Helping Service Dog Teams Fly with Confidence What does it take to turn a rescue dog into a confident airline traveler? Thanks to a unique new partnership between Joybound People & Pets, Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, and Southwest Airlines, psychiatric service dogs are getting the chance to practice the real thing, before ever taking…
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