Lolly was rescued from a puppy farm in Iowa, and like many dogs in these situations, she is terrified of the world. She is afraid of humans and refuses to walk on a leash. The breeders at the puppy farm have broken her faith in humans, so she doesn’t want to receive affection from her rescuers.
But with time, patience and love, Lolly felt warmer towards the people who were good to her and she found her forever home. Since then, she has become a “help dog” to support other puppies through trauma. Above all, she is showing the world that adopting shy, fearful dogs is a wonderful experience.
Lolly’s Transformation
The ASPCA rescued 500 dogs from a filthy puppy mill, and one of them was Lolly. Lolly, along with many other dogs, has a shaggy coat, parasites, dental disease, and severe infections. She also avoids all human interaction, so she went to ASPCA Behavioral Rehabilitation Center (BRC) to work on it.
“The BRC is the first permanent facility dedicated to studying and rehabilitating the behavior of dogs that have been victims of cruelty and neglect. Darren Young, CPDT-KA, Lolly’s behavioral rehabilitation specialist, said that after being rescued from a puppy farm in Iowa, Lolly needed support to overcome her fear and lack of socialization, and went to BRC for treatment.
At first, Lolly spent a lot of time commuting. Most pup pups have little or no exposure to the outside world, so they are isolated from human contact. So these rescued dogs need to learn to associate daily activities with positive things to help them adjust to their new life.
Lolly graduated from the center in six weeks. She still has some fears, but she feels much more comfortable around people, going for walks and in cars. Dr. Ashley Eisenback, DVM, fell in love with Lolly while giving her medical evaluations at the BRC. So Eisenback decided to adopt her!
Advocating for Puppy Mill Survivors
Lolly got to know her new family surprisingly quickly. She has formed a close relationship with the other dog in the house and Eisenback’s daughters. This is Lolly’s first time living in a house so there’s a lot to get used to.
The rescue dog is now confident enough to no longer need the services of the BRC, but she still regularly visits the center to encourage other dogs. She shows other frightened dogs that activities like walking on a leash, jumping in a car, and hugging a pet can be positive experiences. Having a dog to help them makes other dogs more comfortable and inquisitive.
Lolly’s story proves that abandoned animals deserve a second chance. Seeing them come out of their shells is one of the most rewarding experiences a dog lover can have.
“Dogs are very resilient when we are patient with them. Dr. Eisenback says: “Fearful dogs can make great companions if we are patient and understanding.”
If you are looking to buy a new dog, be careful where you choose to buy them. Keep your eyes away sign that a puppy came from a puppy mill, and walk away if something is suspicious. If possible, consider opening up and accepting an abandoned dog to help change their life.
See Lolly’s journey here:
@aspca A year ago, Lolly and her puppies were among more than 500 dogs rescued from a horrible puppy camp. All she knows is overbreeding, cold cages, no human interaction, and little or no vet care. She is afraid and distrusts people. Eventually, she became more sociable with handlers, even looking for pets and treats. Now she is in a wonderful home where she receives nothing but hugs and love. Lolly and many of the rescued dogs found loving homes, but many of the dogs suffered in that cruel puppy mill before they were rescued. Help us put an end to puppy mills by visiting the link in our bio! #fyp #aspca #foryoupage #puppymill #puppymillsurvivor #dogsoftiktok #dog ♬ A Place Only We Know – ~Barbie Movie~
Featured pictures: TikTok
