Ranch & Coast Magazine

COURTESY PHOTOTOGRAPHY Marking a Milestone Helen Woodward Animal Center commemorates a half-century of changing lives C ELEBRATING ITS 50TH anniversary this month, Rancho Santa Fe-based Helen Woodward Animal Center is a nonprofit organization committed to the philosophy of "people helping animals and animals helping people." e overall goal of the center is not only to save the lives of orphan pets, but to also improve the lives of animals and people in need in our community. rough its many valuable programs, the organization provides lifesaving services for pets and animal-centered therapy and education for both children and adults. Looking ahead to its next chapter, the nonprofit has announced that it will be breaking ground on the new Sharron MacDonald Humane Education and Pet Encounter erapy Complex this fall. e state-of-the-art facility will not only be designed to create the best experience possible for its young visitors, but also to integrate its animal friends into their shared environment. It will include six classrooms with different themes, two birthday party rooms, two playgrounds for children of all ages and abilities, outdoor animal presentation areas, and indoor and outdoor animal enclosures to accommodate all its pet encounter therapy and education animals. Helen Woodward Animal Center does not operate under a national organization, so it relies on charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations to help carry out its vital mission. e community is invited to attend a special 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, August 6, from 2-4:30pm at Helen Woodward Animal Center's Education Pavilion. animalcenter.org JANE SHIOMI Focus family @ranchandcoast ranchandcoast.com 52 AUGUST 2022 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE By the Numbers Helen Woodward Animal Center's namesake founder with her dogs at the beach in Del Mar 18 million orphan pets adopted as a result of Home 4 the Holidays since its inception in 1999 25,000 children and adults served annually via the Pet Encounter Therapy program 15,000 children participate annually in Education Department on-site activities, special events, and Critter Camp 10,000 lives impacted each year by the companion animal and equine hospitals, Club Pet, and AniMeals services 3,800 lives saved anually through the Adoptions Program 70 clients served weekly in the Therapeutic Riding Program

• Cover