AURORA, Colo. — Everyone loves a good puppy story and Jolie Hendricks has about 800.
She is a full-time teacher but still finds the time to head up True Blue Rescue, a group that works with volunteer pilots to save dogs from high-kill shelters. Together, they fly them in, give them vet care and then find them homes in the Rocky Mountain region.
"It’s really exciting, because you don’t know what’s coming," Hendricks said. "You see the pictures of the puppies, but to see them in real life — it’s really rewarding."
Joanna Van Gieson volunteers with the group and said it is a true rescue — there's no shelter or overhead.
"All of the money that we make off of adoptions goes back into our rescue to save more dogs, to be able to save sick dogs," she said.
Denver7 joined Hendricks and her team when they greeted a pilot who flew in 26 puppies and senior dogs from Oklahoma. The dogs will now have a better life thanks to True Blue Rescue.
"She’s just so dedicated," said volunteer pilot David Beattie. "I mean, she will pick up from any transport, she will make sure that she’s got time for everything, and she always has the dogs best interest at heart."
He frequently transports dogs for True Blue Rescue.
For the pups, it's the end of a long flight, but the beginning of a dog-gone good life.
"They’re excited to be here. They seem to know when they’re safe," Hendricks said.
For more information on True Blue Rescue or if you're interested in adopting a True Blue dog, visit their website here.
Molly Hendrickson anchors Denver7 in the mornings from 4:30-7 a.m. She also features a different 7Everyday Hero each week on Denver7. Follow Molly on Facebook here and Twitter here. To nominate a hero in your life, click here.
