Stephanie Stanton poses with her dogs at her house in Ocean Ridge. Pictured from left are Sweet Pea,
Frankie and Teelee (being held), Sophie (white Maltese) and Frogman (on couch).
Stephanie Stanton’s product Dog Sprinkles, which includes
pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds and goji berries.
Photos by Libby Volgyes/The Coastal Star
By Teresa Bono
If you’ve ever wished you could give shelter dogs all the love they never had, you’ve probably talked yourself out of it.
But one Ocean Ridge couple, Peter and Stephanie Stanton, actually talked each other into it. Together they’ve saved more than 100 dogs from South Florida kill shelters, using their own resources to provide grooming, medical care and rehabilitation. Their mission is to rescue and find homes for older, more challenged dogs who have little or no chance of being adopted.
Dr. Tania Whyte, a veterinarian at Colonial Animal Hospital in Boynton Beach, recalls her first meeting with the Stantons in 2009, when they brought in an emaciated Maltese named Sophie.
Sophie, who was found on the street and due to be euthanized in 24 hours at Miami Dade Animal Services, had badly abscessed teeth that required immediate dental surgery and a coat that was so matted and full of maggots and fleas, that it took four hours just to groom her.
Whyte said she’d never seen a more neglected dog in her 17 years of practice. But what she found more shocking was that the Stantons actually chose to adopt a dog in this condition. When they explained that they adopted her because she was “the worst one,” Whyte instantly fell in love with them.
Sophie blossomed and Whyte and the Stantons have been collaborating ever since.
Inspired by Sophie’s recovery and frustrated with the disorganization of other shelters, the Stantons launched Happy Tails Dog Rescue in November 2010. Whyte says she’s lost count of how many “death row” dogs the Stantons have brought in, but says they’ve run the gamut from being badly burned to covered in large tumors.
And while these rescue stories are remarkable, what’s really creating a buzz is an organic supplement named “Dog Sprinkles” that Stephanie developed. Unable to find an immune-boosting supplement free from chemicals, Stephanie, who has a background in nutrition, combined a variety of super foods that benefits the health and longevity of dogs and that tastes good, too.
It didn’t take long for Whyte to notice Sophie’s progress and to inquire about what the Stantons were doing. Every time Sophie came in, her condition was improving. Amazed by the transformative properties of the Dog Sprinkles, she decided to try them on her own dogs. Whyte was so impressed by the results, she encouraged the Stantons to pursue a patent and bring the product to market.
Sophie is now off Rimadyl for arthritis and is more vibrant at 16 than she was back in 2009.
Along with the Stantons’ other five dogs — Sweet Pea, Teelee, Mikey, Frankie and Froggie — Sophie romps in the Stanton’s lush organic garden, taking occasional breaks to stop in for hugs and kisses from Stephanie and Peter.
And while they weigh less than 100 pounds collectively, the Stanton dogs have shown that canine diseases and rotten personal histories are no match for doggie parents who are willing to fight for them. So next time you visit the animal shelter, take a second look at those old, sad dogs whose gaze you try to avoid. You might just find them to be the most fun friend you’ve ever had.
Dog Sprinkles are available for purchase as part of market testing as the Stantons seek to license them to manufacturers and/or distributors. Email sprinkles@happytailsdogrescue.org or order online at www.happytailsdogrescue.org and click on the “Dog Sprinkles” tab.
Comments