Meet Joy.

A dog lover with a heart as big as her mission, Joy began handing out winter dog coats to pets living on the streets with their owners. “It broke my heart to see dogs out there with little to no protection from the cold,” she said. “Even if I could only give out a few jackets, that meant a few dogs were a little warmer.”

At first, she visited spots around town where folks gathered for meals or clothes. But once she discovered Sunrise and connected with Paws on the Street, her reach expanded. “Meeting Mike and standing at his table changed everything,” she shared. “The food and supplies he gave out brought pet owners over—and with just a few questions, I could figure out their dog’s size and hand them a jacket. Without him, I would have missed so many chances to help.”

One moment still sticks with her: a young puppy, held close by a man living under I-35. “Just seeing that puppy wrapped in something warm still makes me teary,” Joy says. “The owner’s face lit up—pure gratitude. That’s what it’s all about.”

Over the past two winters, Joy has distributed nearly 100 coats—growing her impact with help from those who believed in her mission. “You just have to start,” she says. “Make people aware of what you’re doing. You’ll be surprised how many want to help.”

Along the way, Joy discovered a quiet army of compassionate volunteers showing up, week after week, to serve. She also witnessed firsthand just how much our homeless neighbors love their pets—and how grateful they are for anything that brings them comfort.

In the end, her takeaway is simple:

“I hope I’m making a difference. It breaks my heart to think of all the dogs we couldn’t reach—but I find peace in knowing some are sleeping warmer now.”