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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

  • A Lifeline for Jupiter

    A Lifeline for Jupiter

    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

    Spotlight on Syreeta & Murphy

    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

    Spotlight on Steve & Glenda

    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

    Spotlight on Brenda & Rick

    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

    Tail-Wagging Storytime

    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

    Ready When Disaster Strikes

    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.

    Less Hustle. More Hammock.

    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)

    From Fearless to Fearless(ish)

    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

    Cleared for Takeoff, Powered by Paws

    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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  • From Street to Strong

    From Street to Strong

    Inside Joybound’s Coordinated Efforts to Improve the Health of Free Roaming Cats A few humane traps, dozens of dedicated volunteers, and a clinic full of determined veterinarians make a remarkable difference for cats in need. During Joybound’s Community Cat Fix Fest, the veterinary clinic transforms into a fast-paced hub of compassionate care, all focused on…

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  • Orange County Emergency Response

    Orange County Emergency Response

    When overlapping emergencies strain public safety systems, true collaboration makes all the difference. In response to a recent chemical explosion threat in Orange County that forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of families, Joybound People & Pets leaped into action. Working closely alongside the ASPCA and Orange County Animal Care, we coordinated the safe…

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  • Joybound Thrift Store Transforms!

    Joybound Thrift Store Transforms!

    Come for the Deals, Stay for the Cats Joybound’s Concord location debuted its newly transformed space in February. Reimagined from its former home next door into a fresh and welcoming environment. Joybound celebrated with an official ribbon cutting hosted by the City of Concord Chamber of Commerce, joined by Chamber ambassadors, community partners, local elected…

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VCA’s expert care heals pets and Joybound shelter animals alike.

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