Carie Broecker
Peace of Mind Dog Rescue, 615 Forest Ave., Pacific Grove
(831) 718-9122, peaceofminddogrescue.org
Carie Broecker was taking care of a spaniel mix for a woman who was dying of emphysema. One of the woman’s greatest anxieties was what would become of her dog, Savannah, who was young and healthy but shy and prone to nipping at strangers. Broecker had a realization: To ease the passing of people who loved their dogs – and to secure a happy, loving home for those dogs – she and a friend created a nonprofit, Peace of Mind Dog Rescue. “When she was telling me her fears, I said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll make sure Savannah is OK.’” What Broecker helped create (and now runs) has helped ease transitions for many humans and dogs. Broecker ended up adopting Savannah, who lived to 16. (Now she’s the human companion to a Chihuahua mix named Sneakers and Abbey, a pitbull mix.) If the canine love was not enough, Broecker also helped create a new group called Caste Action Alliance in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, helping raise awareness about how to be an ally in the struggle for racial justice. “We wanted to do something,” Broecker says. And that’s what makes a do-gooder – not just the idea, but the action.
