The stories and photos below represent just a few of the many adoptions that have taken place through VISIONS programs. With adoptions dating back more than three decades, these four-legged friends have enriched many VISIONS families’ lives.
Plume & Courtney
“After returning from my trip to Montana and showing my family the puppy that completely stole my heart, we knew we had to bring her home. Just a few days later, I flew back to Montana and returned to Chicago all in one day, with our new furry family member. Plume, as we named her on the Montana ranch, began adjusting to her new life in the Chicago suburbs—a big change from the wide-open ranch—but still with lots of space.
December 16th marks her six-month “gotcha day,” and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this fluffy, lovable addition to our family. Plume’s days are filled with bounding around the backyard, joyfully emptying her toy basket, and soaking up as many cuddles as she can get. She’s a true bundle of joy, and we are so grateful to be able to share a home with her. She’s the embodiment of the perfect companion, and I can’t imagine life these past few months without her!”
—Courtney, Montana Blackfeet 2024
Leyri & Dino
“Dino is what the participants and leaders on the Dominican program named this sweet boy when he started showing up at the VISIONS homebase last summer. Dino quickly became part of the group. He would greet participants outside the bus when they returned from the activities, walk with us to baseball games, and sleep outside our door at night. He also got fixed during our spay and neuter initiative, and neighbors started to suggest that I should take him home with me after the program.
At first I didn´t consider this idea since I have never had a dog and thought it might be too much responsibility. But he had no owner and by the end of the summer, I decided to take him home with me to Santo Domingo. Dino and I enjoy walking twice a day around my neighborhood, and he’s part of my family!”
—Leyri Garcia, Program Director in the Dominican Repbulic
Juan & Chiro
“Seven weeks ago, I came across a tiny, newborn kitten. I found him huddled alone in a gravel lot, hiding under a car. The moment I saw him, I knew I couldn’t leave him there. He was so fragile, and I feared he wouldn’t survive.
I asked around the area and learned that his mother had died. The kind people nearby had tried to feed him, but without success. He was heartbreakingly thin and weak. Without wasting a moment, I rushed to a pet shop to buy milk for him and contacted a vet to understand exactly what I needed to do to help him survive.
Bringing him home was the start of a real adventure—and a challenge. Caring for him was like taking care of a newborn baby. I had to feed him with a tiny bottle, gently stimulate him to do his business, and wake up multiple times in the night to keep him fed and warm. I watched countless YouTube videos, and even consulted ChatGPT, just to make sure I was doing everything right.
Now, seven weeks later, he’s a completely different little soul. He’s playful, full of energy, and thriving. He spends his days darting around the house, pouncing on his many toys, jumping, and occasionally biting with those tiny sharp teeth.
Looking at him now, happy and healthy, fills me with so much joy. I thought I brought him home to save his life, but in truth, he brought so much happiness into mine. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see him thriving, and I feel grateful for the little smiles he brings to my days.”
—Juan José Arias, VISIONS Technology Coordinator in the Dominican Republic
River with Spencer, Campbell & Family
“Our sons attended the Visions Service Blackfeet Reservation program during summer 2024. They had a wonderful time and were particularly taken with the puppy foster care program. Fast forward to today, when River has become an integral part of our family. ‘Rez Dogs’ are uniquely special: loving, loyal, social, playful, protective, friendly, alert, and intuitive old souls. River is all those things, and we can’t imagine our life without him! He also loves Lucky (yellow Lab) and Wrigley and Sarge (his terrier brothers), so much. Even our persnickety cats adore him. With deep appreciation, The Comer Family”
—Courtney. River was fostered during Montana session 1 in 2024
Fenix & Yoshua
“When Fenix isn’t hiking and camping throughout New England, she’s helping create functional art from sustainably harvested hardwoods and herding her dozen chickens. She loves running around the lumber yard with other dogs, climbing logs and rocks to find deer, rabbit or grey squirrels to chase, and fetching a ball once local fauna have scattered. She is excited for next summer’s adventures but is currently enjoying sleeping by the wood stove after a day out in the cold.”
—Yoshua, VISIONS leader on Montana Blackfeet 2024
Bugs with Carleen and Jordan
“With the help of many who experienced Bugs’s sweetness firsthand on the VISIONS program, she journeyed from Montana to her forever home in Oakland, California, bringing joy to everyone she meets. Bugs is a ray of sunshine, and in her short seven months, her curiosity for adventure has led her through mountains, lakes, beaches, and beyond. Her quirky 360 bunny hops of excitement inspired her name and reflect the playful spirit she shares with us.
As an active couple in our early 30s learning to balance life, we never expected to take in a puppy, but Bugs arrived at just the right time. We believe she was sent to us by our recently lost cat, Jetty, and dog, Baylee, as she is a perfect mix of playful energy (like Jetty) and mellow calm (like Baylee). Whether chasing falling leaves or sniffing pebbles on a walk, Bugs has shown us the value in slowing down and savoring life’s simple joys. Our new companion has brought a distinct love only she can provide. We are grateful to VISIONS for bringing us together, forging a lifelong bond, and saving our sweet Bugs.”
—Carleen. Bugs was fostered during Montana session 3 in 2024
Foxy with Heather and Tyler
“We are so happy to announce a fur-baby addition to our family. Foxy is a one or two-year old female, red heeler mix. She is super lovey dovey, doesn’t bark, and is 95% potty-trained already in just two weeks’ time. She came to us with a hurt and infected shoulder, but is 100% better after some meds. She loves her toys and walks outside, and she gets the zoomies every morning. She is already a great running buddy! She is curious about our older cat, but doesn’t bite or bark at her. She is a wonderful addition to our family!”
—Heather, who received Foxy after she was rescued from the Blackfeet pound
Uno & Family
“We are overjoyed to have Uno (formerly known as Junie) as a member of our family. She is sweet, smart and a fantastic companion. My two daughters literally start every single day by running to greet her resulting in a pile of wiggles and joy. Our family spends much of our free time on bikes or skis and we are excited to have Uno along in many of our adventures to come. We feel so fortunate that Uno’s path (via Visions) led her to our family.”
—Sam. Uno was fostered during the mid-August 2024 Montana program
Maple & Family
“We are so grateful that Maple has joined our family! She is very sweet. We can tell that she was well loved by the team at VISIONS. Maple provides our dog Vida with a playmate and brings our children great joy! Not to mention, she has been easy to train! Thank you, VISIONS!”
—Rebecka. Maple was fostered during Montana session 1 in 2024
Huckleberry & Erin
“Huckleberry became part of my life due to his remarkable ability to always find his way back to me while we were fostering him at the Elouise Cobell Yellow Bird Woman Sanctuary on the Blackfeet Reservation. I am so grateful that he and I embarked on a 7-month journey to bring him to my home to Hawaii. I raised him in snowy Montana with nose work training at the county fairgrounds hog barn. Oh, how he loved that barn! We went on walks and practiced being socially confident and friendly in diverse situations. Huck’s travels to Hawaii couldn’t have gone smoother; he was calm and secure. Huckleberry loves island life, is an enthusiastic swimmer, fetches and navigates skillfully in the waves, and follows his swim with an indulgent roll in the sand! He’s also part of a family that has trained service dogs and he is so happy to put his smart mind to work with little jobs, tricks and bonding.”
—Erin. Huckleberry was fostered during Montana 2022
Charlie & Gus with Sara & Paula
Charlie and Gus were littermates with Uno, and all three now live in Bozeman, Montana, the home of VISIONS. These two boys are practically identical and are thriving in their new homes. They’ve gone from little pups who could sleep in laundry baskets to 40 pounds, strong and smart—and still growing.
Charlie goes to work with Sara at an assisted living facility, where he will be trained as a service dog to add to the lives of elders who live at the facility. Gus lives in a rural setting with Paula, who works from home and has increased her walks and outdoor activities to meet Gus’s puppy needs. Paula often remarks that Gus adopted her and shares the sentiments of everyone fortunate enough to bring a Blackfeet rez dog into their lives—that it’s been incredibly enriching, fulfilling, and fun.
