3 dogs rescued from hoarding case get a second chance at love and life

JEFFERSON COUNTY, W.Va. ( WTRF ) – Three dogs rescued from a hoarding case earlier this year have found love and a second chance at life with three local college students.

Meet Max, Noodle and Harlow.

They were rescued in May of this year with 25 other dogs from a hoarding case in Jefferson County.

Development Manager for the Jefferson County Humane Society, Brandi Denoon-Damewood, tells me that the house they were rescued from was in such deplorable condition that it was deemed condemned.

“Being able to take an animal from such a dire situation and give it a beautiful brand-new life is incredible in itself. But then being able to change two lives at the same time is one of the best things we can hope for in the world of rescue.”

Brandi Denoon-Damewood | Development Manager for the Jefferson County Humane Society

Now, Max, Noodle and Harlow are living their best lives in college with their owners.

Gabi Sunyoger, Max’s mom, is a sophomore at Robert Morris University studying clinical psychology.

She says Max is about five months old and a certified emotional support animal.

“I have something to rely on. I need to get up out of bed and I have to take care of him.  Staying on campus last year was really hard for me. I would come home after class and then just stay home until nighttime and then go to bed. But now, like, it’s kind of hard to do that now. So, I have to stay up at school. We go on walks, and he helps me study and it’s been really nice.”

Gabi Sunyoger | Max’s Owner

Sunyoger says Max is very popular at Robert Morris.

“Everyone at school absolutely adores him. I have so many people that just come and knock on the door just to say, ‘can we see Max? Can we say hi?’ And he just brings not just me, but so many other people, a lot of joy.”

Gabi Sunyoger | Max’s Owner

Noodle found love in the arms of Grace Phillips, a senior nursing major at Muskingum University.

Phillips says she saw her photo on Facebook and thought Noodle was adorable.

“I came down, I signed all the papers, I checked her out. She was just sitting by herself in there. She had a little cone on, and she just started wagging right away. And I was like, I can already tell she’s going to be my best friend. So, she’s been great. She’s super calm, super chill. But she also has her moments.”

Grace Phillips | Noodle’s Owner

Noodle is around 6 months old and a certified service dog.

Phillips says Noodle has made a huge difference in her life.

“It’s been great for my mental health too, because, you know, there’s days you don’t really want to go outside, or you want to sit inside. You got to study, and you know, she’s got to go potty. She’s got to go for a walk. So, she kind of gets you up and moving. So that’s definitely great for me.”

Grace Phillips | Noodle’s Owner

Harlow found a home on the Hilltop with Sydnee Kirkpatick who majors in elementary education at West Liberty University.

“Our experience at West Lib has actually been really good. She’s really nice with all other people, and she’s made some animal friends as well. She just loves it up there in her own little space.”

Sydnee Kirkpatrick | Harlow’s Owner

Kirkpatrick says Harlow is a big cuddle bug who loves to sleep and says she likes having the responsibility of taking care of her.

“I have the responsibility of living on my own, but then I have the responsibility of taking care of my own pet and doing my own thing instead of having somebody, Hey, you need to go do this. I do it on my own. So, I think it’s a really good responsibility thing.”

Sydnee Kirkpatrick | Harlow’s Owner

“These girls have done such an honorable thing. It is very remarkable to see how the younger generation considers the significant issue we have in our society as a whole with the overpopulation of animals.”

Brandi Denoon-Damewood | Development Manager for the Jefferson County Humane Society

All of the dogs rescued from May’s hoarding case have been adopted, an incredible story of how a little bit of love and kindness can change lives.

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