Veronica is having a really, really hard time.

We’re not entirely sure what this tall, beautiful girl has experienced in the past, but based on her behavior, we know it has left a significant impression. Veronica is incredibly uncertain in new situations and appears to have trauma-like responses to certain triggers and movements (flinching, retreating, etc.).

We’ve seen how one person truly can make a difference to a dog like Veronica, who has fallen head-over-heels in love with our veterinarian. Even in moments when the world is feeling particularly overwhelming, once she sees our vet, Veronica’s stress melts away. She drops her emotional baggage off at the door and her eyes soften, her face relaxes, and her goofy side emerges.

In these moments, we see just how big her heart is, and how deeply it wants to love and be loved in return.

Before you comment, our vet is unable to adopt her. Their relationship, though, has shown us that she really is a connection-craving dog. Over the last few weeks, Veronica has been given additional breaks from her kennel to spend time with staff members and volunteers. We’ve seen her become more trusting, and regardless of where she goes around campus now, she always has a friend or two close by. We’ve learned that she LOVES to rest her chin on the windowsill and watch the world go by, and she may or may not even try to catch flies on the other side of the glass…

Oh, and squeaky toys? Practically gold.

To make a challenging find a little bit more challenging… Veronica has heartworm, which can take weeks to treat. She has started receiving treatment with us, and we will continue to provide her treatment for this at no cost to her new family.

What this girl desperately wants and needs is someone to help her feel grounded and help her work through her triggers. She would do best in a quiet home without children, cats or other dogs. She needs a space where she can decompress and be given the time to learn that her new “home” — space and people included — is her safe space. Safety, after all, is absolutely everything to this dog.

Think you could be Veronica’s everything? Please come in and ask to meet her. Our Adoption Center is open from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every day except Wednesdays (closed).