COMMUNITY BUILDER
Designed and Product Managed the Puppy Mama Community Web Application to help dog moms around the world to connect, share and rate businesses according to dog-friendliness
Built Instagram Communities @puppy.mama to >24,500 followers
Shared 1000+ stories how dogs have helped inspire and heal women - comforting them through cancer, depression, sexual assault, infertility, a difficult divorce, or the loss of a loved one.
Puppy Mama App: Story Sharing
GREW PUPPY MAMA'S INSTAGRAM PAGE TO
>24,500 FOLLOWERS
SHARED > 1000 DOG MOM STORIES
Story: how a pup saved a woman fighting Crohn's disease and depression
Some examples:
"I was diagnosed with Crohn's disease when I was 16. At 22 I found out I needed surgery to remove part of my colon and small intestine and for 6 months I got sicker every day. I went to bed most nights wishing I wouldn't wake up the next morning. I had moved across the country to follow my dream of being a TV reporter and even though I worked through the pain, it was hard being alone and I became extremely depressed and suicidal.
I went back to my hometown to have my surgery so my parents could take care of me. Two days before Christmas my mom walked into my living room with a baby Maltese. He was 2.3 pounds and I fell in love instantly. Anytime I felt like I couldn't live another day through the pain I would look to Louie.
He had so much love for me and relied on me so much that I could never leave this world without him. He saved my life. And for that, I am forever thankful."
- Kayla, Puppy Mama in Lake Charles, LA
Story: how a pup helped a woman cope with her mom's death
"Two years ago my mother was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer, and I was terrified because life was always just the two of us. So, as was her way to care about others' needs, my mother encouraged me to find comfort in the love and routines of a new puppy. She was the wisest woman I've ever known...
Spock is almost 2 now, and she is my best friend, a source of hope and strength through the darkest and most trying times of my life. She brought us all joy when it was scarce. But most of all, she taught me to embrace life and help me stay present and mindful every day."
- Kate, Puppy Mama in Portland, Oregon
Story: how a husky helped a woman cope with infertility
"Bella is everything to me and my husband, as if a child of our own, because we have no children.
The last 3 years have been awful, as last year we got told we have medically unexplained infertility. We are high school sweethearts, have been together for half our lives, thought we do the 'right' thing by studying and working hard for our degrees and later careers. We sacrificed traveling the world, partying etc. to be top students and save money for our dream wedding and 1st home. When we were financially setup, we wanted to start our dream family.
Well - all came true but the last part. Not being able to have children like everyone else hit us like a ton of bricks. Our 30th birthdays came and went, and that's when Bella came into our lives...just at the right time to save us from a destructive pathway. I got her as a puppy for my husband's 30th, and from that day, our lives were changed.
She gives us such happiness - it's unreal and most people don't 'get it'. I've seen some really dark days month after month as all my family and friends are moving on to their 2nd baby, and we are still baby-less in a big house. But, Bella is right there by my side, she refuses to leave, with her head on my lap or paw in my hand, and yet somehow she makes me feel better. Bella is our light on our dark days, we love her so dearly and honestly don't know how to live without her now."
- Laura Sidari, Puppy Mama in Adelaide, South Australia