Latest news with #HelpingHandsHumaneSociety
Miami Herald
19 hours ago
- General
- Miami Herald
Former inmate adopts shelter dog after training him in Kansas prison
A sweet dog named Poet in a Kansas shelter has found a loving home with someone he's already spent loads of time with. 'Yesterday, something truly special happened: Poet, the very first dog to enter our restarted Blue Ribbon Program, found his home — with someone he already loves,' the Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka said in an Aug. 19 Facebook post. 'Poet spent time at the women's correctional facility through this program, where he received training, socialization, and, most importantly, friendship. One of the women who worked closely with him was released yesterday morning. One of her very first stops? Helping Hands Humane Society — to adopt Poet.' The Blue Ribbon Program originally launched in 1994 and partners the shelter with the Women's Correctional Facility in Topeka. 'We worked with the Correctional Facility to secure a grant for them to build a ten-run kennel and grooming facility on the prison grounds. It took nearly two years for this program to come to fruition, and in July of 1996 the first group of shelter dogs moved to the prison for six weeks,' the shelter says on its website. Inmates are assigned dogs during an eight-week course and they are in charge of their daily care, training, grooming and more. This helps the pups not only socialize and learn basic training, but also connect with people on a deeper level, hopefully upping their chances of being adopted. According to the shelter, the program was put on hold for almost 10 years before recently relaunching. 'Poet's story is a beautiful reminder of why this program matters so much — and why second chances are worth celebrating,' the shelter said.
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
‘Complex' cat at Kansas shelter needs a home. But be ready for her zoomies
A cat in a Kansas shelter who has a big personality (at times) is on the look out for a new home. 'Yosemite has been here for 93 days and we're starting to take it personally,' the Helping Hands Humane Society in Topeka said in a July 2 Facebook post. 'She's cute. Like, aggressively cute. Look at that face.' But it's not all about looks. Yosemite has a striking personality that's at times soft. And at other times? 'Yosemite is 3 years old and lives her life like an emotionally complex indie film character. She's introverted, but occasionally gets the zoomies and launches herself off furniture like she's auditioning for Squid Games: Feline Edition,' the shelter said. According to her pet profile, Yosemite is being fostered in the administrative offices of the shelter because kennel life isn't the dandiest for her type of personality. 'Sometimes she loves you. Sometimes she's like.. ' I know you, stranger?' The duality of cat,' the shelter said. 'She tolerates the other office cats but does not always vibe with them. She's more of a 'sit near you while we both disassociate' kind of girl than a 'cuddly clingy gremlin' type,' the shelter said. 'Except when she's not. Because again—complex.' It takes some time for the young girl to come around to new people since she's shy and needs to feel comfortable and safe around newbies, her profile says. 'We did shave a small spot on her side because we thought something was weird, but turns out it's just... her side boob. She's fine. The vet said she's fine. Emotionally? Who knows. Physically? Thriving,' the shelter noted. For more information, visit the shelter's website.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Downtown Topeka staff rally following cancer diagnosis
TOPEKA (KSNT) – A downtown Topeka bar, arcade and restaurant is taking a moment to give back following a health tragedy for a local family. The Pennant's General Manager, Todd Renner, recently found out his wife, Dani, has a form of aggressive and rare cancer. Over the weekend, the Pennant's social media page said she's undergoing six round of chemotherapy with the hope of surgery in the future. To support the Renner family, the Pennant is hosting a dining give back day Saturday, April 19. The post states that 10% of the total sales will go directly towards the cost of treatment, second opinions and travel for Dani and the Renner family. The Pennant has hosted give back events in the past for the Helping Hands Humane Society, Topeka Civic Theater and other local organizations. Pottawatomie County honors 50 local vets for service and sacrifice Giving back to support one of their own through such an incredibly difficult time was an easy decision for staff. 'We're definitely who we are here at the Pennant because of Todd,' Pennant Bar Manager Bill Franks said. 'He has established the culture throughout the building here. Through the staffing, how we relate to each other, how we relate to the guest that we have in the building and just how we relate to the community in general.' In addition to Saturday's give back day, you can support Dani and the rest of the Renner family through a gofundme here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Topeka Correctional Facility welcomes cats for residents to care for
TOPEKA (KSNT) – The Topeka Correctional Facility is getting some unconventional inmates. The Topeka Correctional Facility (TCF) welcomed a cat and two kittens Tuesday, Feb. 25 as part of a new program PHAT cats. It stands for 'placing homeless & terrific cats'. Residents can apply to be paired with a cat from the Helping Hands Humane Society. LeeAnn Garcia is one of the cat handlers in charge of taking care of the cat 24/7. The TCF told 27 News this program with give residents the ability to practice responsibility and empathy before reentering the community. 'Everybody, we committed a crime and that's why we are here,' Garcia said. 'But the punishment for the crime is the time that we're doing and investing in corrections and helping people learn relationships and boundaries and those things now, while they're in here, return them to your community in a much better way to serve the community rather than take from it.' Topeka uses $1.3M from taxpayers for snow removal this year 'Everybody here is going to come out and be part of your neighborhood,' Dona Hook, Topeka Correctional Facility Warden said. 'They're going to go to school with your kids, and they're going to go to the churches and the parks. So, these are the people that you do want to help. You want them to go out differently than they came in, that's important.' TCF residents in charge of the kittens are caring for them until they grow to meet the Humane Society's requirements for adoption. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
HHHS in Topeka asks for emergency donations to afford new x-ray machine
TOPEKA (KSNT) – Helping Hands Humane Society (HHHS) in Topeka is asking for locals to pitch in to help the organization buy a costly new x-ray machine. HHHS took to social media on Friday, Feb. 21 to ask Topekans to make donations for a new x-ray machine. The organization's current x-ray machine is described as being 'beyond repair' and a necessity for the HHHS to treat its resident animals. 'Since 2014, our x-ray machine has been an essential tool for diagnosing injuries and determining the best treatment plans for thousands of shelter pets. From animals hit by cars to those with mysterious injuries, we've relied on this machine for valuable information. Without it, we cannot properly help the pets who urgently need us today.' HHHS social media statement excerpt The HHHS said it is trying to raise a total of $35,000 to cover the costs of replacing its current x-ray machine. A donor has agreed to match every dollar given to the HHHS, meaning the organization will only need to raise $17,500 total from locals. New Topeka Pizza Shuttle opens Saturday, what to know People can pitch in to help the HHHS by buying some of the merchandise it sells or by making cash donations directly to the organization. You can contact the HHHS in Topeka by calling 785-233-7325, emailing helpinghands@ or by visiting its location at 5720 Southwest 21st Street. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
