The Power of the Human-Animal Bond

The power of the human-animal bond can have a transformative effect on families. No two stories epitomize this better than Zoey the dog's impact on her adoptive family and Matt and his turtles.

Zoey was brought into the Hawaiian Humane Society’s care at just two months old, suffering from a left tibial fracture and in dire need of surgery. Zoey underwent an emergency procedure with Dr. Courtney Watkins, DVM, MS, DIPLOMATE ACVS (Surgery), a referral specialist with one of our partner clinics, Ali‘i Animal Hospital, which was deemed successful. She would need several weeks in a foster home to recuperate.

Hawaiian Humane’s own Veterinary Services Manager, Mindy Buhl, answered the call to foster. Zoey would need exceptionally attentive care to complete her post-op healing, which Mindy was glad to provide. Zoey left a positive impression on Mindy and her colleagues, especially Kailyn Todd, a new addition to the Veterinary Services team. When Zoey was cleared for adoption, Kailyn facilitated Zoey’s adoption to her cousin, Shyla Pia, who had been looking for the right furry addition to the Pia family.

“When they met Zoey, they absolutely fell in love and adopted her that day,” said Kailyn. Since joining the Pia family, Zoey has found her place in their pack. Shyla also has three children and a Pomeranian, who all bonded immediately with Zoey.

Zoey has made a significant impact on Shyla’s daughter, Sadie, who has Rett syndrome, a rare genetic neurological and developmental disorder that can cause a progressive loss of motor skills and speech.

“My family goes above and beyond to make Sadie as comfortable and happy as she can be,” said Kailyn. “When Zoey first met Sadie, [Zoey] jumped in her lap and started kissing [Sadie]. Sadie had the biggest smile on her face. She loves it when Zoey’s around and just seeing how happy she is with Zoey is truly a blessing for our family. Zoey couldn’t have been a more perfect dog, so loving and gentle. Zoey had a tough upbringing based on her initial physical trauma when she first came to the Hawaiian Humane Society, but to see her happy in such a loving home is the greatest gift.”

Some pets can enrich our lives for an extraordinarily long time. Take Matt Castro and his pet turtles.

Matt, project manager for Hawaiian Humane’s ongoing HVAC construction project, is a turtle enthusiast. He and his family care for 20 turtles, one of which is a Mississippi map turtle who he has had since his college days in 2001. In addition to his 22-yearrelationship with the Mississippi map turtle, Matt has two Olde English bulldogges, another Mississippi map turtle, eight redeared sliders, three red-footed tortoises and fi ve Chinese softshell turtles.

Many of his turtles were adopted from the Hawaiian Humane Society. “Acquired throughout the years, when we moved to a property with more space, we got more turtles … gradually over time,” said Matt. “We adopted some from HHS and others we adopted [elsewhere]; all are rescues. Many of them are very friendly. I am able to hand feed them crickets, earth and mealworms, and shrimp. They also really enjoy interactions with my dogs, coming up out of the water when my dogs are nearby to greet them.”

Matt developed an affinity for turtles in college that was eventually passed down to his daughters. “Each has their own personality and once a bond is formed, hand feeding is possible and quite entertaining. It is always fascinating feeding them different foods as their diets require. I enjoy that each has their own needs and personalities.”

When asked to elaborate on the impact his turtles have had on him and his family, Matt said, “My