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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

The Joy of Fostering Together

October 2, 2025

How Volunteers Team Up to Train Future Assistance Animals What if you didn’t have to foster a future service dog alone? Joybound’s Shelter to Service program has launched an innovative Cohort Training model that gives volunteers the chance to share the journey of fostering together. Instead of shouldering the responsibility by themselves, volunteers can team…
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The McCoy Education Center is Buzzing

October 1, 2025

A Legacy in Action: From Birthdays to Doggie Diplomas If walls could talk, the McCoy Education Center would be gushing with good news. This wing has always been a hub of activity, but with its new name honoring longtime supporter Greg McCoy, it has even more reasons to celebrate. This space is constantly buzzing with…
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Merlin’s Second Chance

September 4, 2025

How Joybound and VEG Made a Difference for Merlin When Victoria noticed that her beloved cat, Merlin, had suddenly become lethargic, stopped eating, and was struggling to urinate, her heart sank. She knew it was a medical emergency. As a devoted guardian, Victoria had already spent what she could to keep him comfortable, but the…
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Polly’s Purpose

June 13, 2025

A Shelter Dog Turned Hero Some heroes wear capes. Polly wears fur. Once a stray on the streets of Madera, California, Polly (formerly Molly) had already beaten the odds by finding her way to Joybound People & Pets in 2014. Quiet, observant, and wise beyond her years, she found a loving home with Judy, where…
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Ladybug’s Lessons

June 11, 2025

How One Joyful Pit Bull Helps Dog Parents Connect with Their Pets What happens when a dog with a big heart and a few challenges enters your life? You gain love, patience, and a fresh perspective on dog training. Sometimes you even discover a lifelong teacher in an unlikely package. That’s what happened to Hope…
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Homework, Litterboxes, and Love

May 29, 2025

The Joy (and Challenges) of Raising Kittens What started as a plan to adopt a cat turned into a life-changing adventure in fostering. Meet Aria (16) and Kevin Yoder (13), two teens who, along with their family, have fostered nearly 100 cats over the past seven years through Joybound. “We thought fostering might be a…
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Kristi and Chris’s Joybound Love Story

May 14, 2025

From First Date to Forever “There are so many different opportunities to try — potty walks, trail walks, puppy socials… The best motivation is the dogs!” Who knew a “Yappy Hour” could lead to happily ever after? That’s exactly what happened when Chris, a long-term Joybound volunteer matched with Kristi on an online dating app…
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Cinder’s Second Chance

May 3, 2025

A Rescue Dog Finds Love After Surviving the Los Angeles Fires “Sometimes the perfect dog comes into your life when you least expect it, bringing healing and joy when you need it most.” Sometimes, the perfect dog comes into your life when you least expect it, bringing healing and joy when you need it most.…
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The Unexpected Joys of Fostering

April 25, 2025

A Journey of Trust and Playfulness Not all foster stories end in adoption, but when Bowie strutted into his foster mom’s life, it was game over. Goofy, confident, and full of sass, Bowie knew he was home — even if she didn’t realize it right away. Fresh from a life-changing divorce and preparing for surgery,…
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Meet Joybound’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year

April 23, 2025

Doris has Been Caring for Animals (and Humans) for More Than 15 Years If there’s one thing Doris Hasegawa knows, it’s that dogs and joy go hand in hand—and she’s been spreading that joy at Joybound for over 15 years! With such dedication to service, we wanted to find out more about this incredible lady.…
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A New Playground for Pups

April 11, 2025

Solo’s Play Yard is Now Open! Imagine a place where adoptable dogs can run, jump, and be their playful selves — well, that place is Solo’s Play Yard. Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, on December 10, 2024, Joybound unveiled a brand-new outdoor space designed to give our adoptable dogs the freedom to run, leap,…
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The Evolution of Shelter to Service

March 31, 2025

Expanding Veterans’ Support with Streamlined Training and Lasting Bonds Incredible things happen when you take a bold step toward inclusivity. That’s exactly what Joybound’s Shelter to Service program did last year when it expanded its reach to include those facing mental health challenges in addition to Veterans. Now, first responders, survivors of violent crimes, and…
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