Charities We Support (and Charities that Support Us!)

Sponsors of the Ugly Dog Contest are denoted by an asterisk (*)

Helen Woodward Therapeutic Riding Program*

Each month, more than 50 people with a variety of disabilities, benefit physically, mentally, and emotionally from our Therapeutic Riding program. The Therapeutic Riding program at Helen Woodward Animal Center is the only NARHA (North American Riding for Handicapped) Premier Accredited program in San Diego's North County area.

Students ride specially trained horses to enhance balance, muscle development, and learning skills, such as hand-eye coordination, concentration, and short-term memory. More importantly, we stress having fun in a safe and rewarding environment.

Experienced staff members in conjunction with physicians, physical therapists, and special education teachers, develop riding courses to suit individuals' needs. Students also participate in horse shows specifically geared to therapeutic riding programs. 

Rancho Coastal Humane Society Safe House Program*

Know the Connection
Domestic violence is any form of violence, upon any member of the household. Abuse can take many forms including insults, threats, controlling behavior and physical harm.
In the majority of American households, school age children and companion animals are part of the family. A family member who is often overlooked is the family pet. Abusive individuals will threaten, injure or kill pets to control, humiliate, punish or silence their partners, parents or children.

Break the Cycle
Created in 1997, the award winning Animal Safehouse Program (ASP) was the third program of its kind in the nation. Our life-saving program is committed to breaking the cycle of violence.
Victims of domestic violence and their children will often stay with a batterer because they fear their pet will be neglected, injured or killed if left behind. Concern for a beloved companion animal's welfare prevents or delays more than 50% of battered individuals from escaping domestic abuse, continuing to endanger themselves their children and their pets. Our program provides a support service to domestic violence shelters which are unable to accept pets. We provide temporary shelter for the pets of victims of domestic violence, allowing battered individuals to escape abuse and seek safety. Because of this assistance, no one is forced to choose between abandoning a beloved pet and staying in an abusive relationship. With help from our Animal Safehouse Program, survivors and their children can seek shelter, medical treatment and counseling, knowing their pets are safe.
We actively collaborate with domestic violence shelters, the San Diego Domestic Violence Council, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, the County of San Diego Department of Animal Services, city and municipal animal shelters, the San Diego Family Justice Center, San Diego Domestic Violence Response Teams, social services, mental health services, law-enforcement, educational facilities, Military and many other agencies and individuals who want to eradicate abuse and help break the cycle of family violence.

Voices for Children

This San Diego County based organization provides companionship, emotional support, friendship, and a consistent adult presence for children involved in the San Diego Family Court & Foster Care system. These kids are often bounced from one foster family to another, with court appearances and other grown-up issues. The 'Child Advocate' from Voices for Children is often the only consistent, stable point of contact for the child. They do things like help with homework, go to parks, and make requests of the court, which are in the child's best interest.

Fresh Start Surgical Gifts

This Encinitas based organization helps children who have severe physical disfigurements from congenital birth defects, accidents, or disease by providing surgery and medical care. The 'Fresh Start' is about helping these kids have the opportunity for a 'normal' life. Every six weeks is a 'Surgery Weekend' where kids and their families come to Encinitas. Their travel expenses and accommodations are procided, in addition to the medical care. Your financial contributions allocated for this organization will go to help cover these expenses. Additionally this organization has a 'wish list' of items required to help them run smoothly. Please let us know if you would like to learn about the current 'wish list'.

Phoenix House

Phoenix House is the nation's leading non-profit drug abuse service organization, providing treatment for more than 3,000 adults and adolescents. A pioneer in the development of modern drug abuse treatment, Phoenix House was among the first to adopt self-help methods that make the individual the focus of treatment and address the underlying causes of drug abuse. Phoenix House has treated more than 70,000 people since its creation in 1967.

Programs for adolescents include six Phoenix Academies, fully accredited residents high schools in New York, California, and Texas. Phoenix House also runs an accredited alternative day school for drug troubled teens and an after school intervention program for adolescents and their families. Our donations stay in the San Diego area!

Your financial contributions allocated for this organization will go to help support these children.