b'Ashleyadded,ThefactthatweconnectedwithHelpAWS on the island, and were able to help this one par- O N THE SENIOR DOGS , L OGAN SAYS : We actually adopted aticular dog, made the entire experience of our wedding even blind senior dog named Julius. He was somebodys pet formore unforgettable. nine years, and then surrendered. He had no eyestheyThe photographers post of the picture of the dog and were sewn shut. He was struggling in theAshley had gone viral and as a result,tens of thou- shelter because he relied on his hearingsands of dollars had been raised for and his smell, and obviously a lot of thethe shelter. Then, everyone started other dogs were always barking, so hehittingusuponFacebook,asking wasramminghisfaceintothecagehowtheycanhelp,Logansaid. because of the discomfort. We had aThey wanted to donate money to our baby on the way, a two-year-old, andcause. We realized then that we needed twootherdogs,andweadoptedto start a nonprofit. Julius. Twoyearsafterthesuccessof With seniors, the commitment#RyansMonthlyRescue,Loganand might not be as long, but they deserveAshleyestablishedtheRyanAnimal a good back end of their life. JuliusRescueFoundation(RARF), a501c3 lived three years for us, and he was anon-profitorganization.WithAshleys great dog. He fit into our pack andbackground in animal shelter work, they Photo: Jade Mountain St. Lucia hetaughtussomuchabouthad a good understanding of the needs in patience, watching how he wouldanimalsheltering.Theyalsoknewthey navigate the house with no eyes. Iwantedtobuildtheirfoundationwith called him Roomba at first becausesome different goals and ideals.he would bump into every corner.Thereisgrantmoneyavailablefor Then, he mapped the room outthings like low cost or no cost spay/neuter, and literally knew where every-said Ashley. But there isnt much funding thingwas.Theressomuchweavailable for shelter dogs who have behavioral take for granted when you haveissues and not getting adopted as a result. We a fully healthy dog.have set up grants specific to training one dog My goal for RARF is to stayat a time or a group of dogs. We also have a ever-changing. I want to be agrant specific to training shelter staff on how to face in this animal industry. Iwork with dogs who have behavioral issues. wanttorepresenttheThedemographicsofthosewhoworkin youngerpeople.Iwanttoanimal sheltering and rescue are not young Black representtheminorities.Imen.Itisgenerallymadeupofolderwhite want to represent the hus-women. You walk into an animal shelter, and band-wife couples that areyou see a lot of people who look like me, said doing it together, and getAshley. But you dont see a lot of people who look rid of all the stereotypeslike Logan. Its important to bring diversity into about Pit Bulls. Lets notthe conversation of adopting animals and to those be afraid to be younger,who work and volunteer in the shelter. cooler, hipper, and chal-Logan added, We offer a lot of opportunities for lengethenorms.Imminorities in the space. I never knew or thought wed just trying to be a voicebe the face of that. These are issues that came up, and forthosepeoplewhowe were like, Yeah, we could talk about the stereotypes want to help. You canof a lot of rappers and Pit Bulls on chains, but Im fight- look different.You caningtogetridofbreedrestrictions.Personally,we be the strong, mascu-hadbeenturneddownfrom10differentapartment linefootballplayer,complexes, condos, and renting houses because we had a and still sit there toPit Bull. And Im a million-dollar athlete.help foster kittens. The Ryans made it clear that theyre not afraid to Photo: Jill Flynn/Visual Harmonyshake up and challenge the animal sheltering industry; tospeak up for the youth and minorities who want to work To learn more about Ryan Animal Rescue Foundationand volunteer, and who want to adopt.Were not afraid to visit www.RARF.orgFollow them Instagram @RARFspeak on behalf of Pit Bulls, said Logan. Were not afraid and Facebook @RyanAnimalRescueFoundation to speak up, and see whats wrong, and try to change that asbest we can. U34 THE NEW BARKER www.TheNewBarker.com'