Libertyville rescue helps dogs in need

For traumatized dogs who have been abused and neglected their entire lives, it can take a while to get them back on their paws again.

Rescue workers like Lisa Krinninger, executive director of Our House of Hope K9 Rescue in Libertyville, has rescued dogs from all kinds of situations where they have been mistreated.

She's received a number of dogs from closed-down puppy mills and even from pet owners who have given up their dogs.

Sometimes the physical condition of these dogs can be a sore sight to see.

Puppy mills that are closed for cruelty commonly keep their dogs in crowded conditions with little human contact, according to Robert Baker, an anti-cruelty investigator for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Mill dogs can experience symptoms of swollen and torn feet, infected gums, rotten teeth, open sores and can also suffer hearing loss.

Krinninger recently rescued a dog that could hardly walk because it had close to 6 inches of tightly matted fur against its body.

"A lot of the dogs that go through Our House of Hope have come in with all kinds of medical and emotional problems," said Krinninger. "But thanks to the volunteers in our program, they roll up their sleeves and help these animals have a second chance at life."

A non-profit organization, Our House of Hope K9 Rescue recently celebrated its first anniversary on June 8. Already finding foster homes for about 40-45 dogs, the organization generally selects older dogs, but has also previously received puppies.

Krinninger personally takes up to two to three dogs into her home at a time and conducts a screening process in which she sees how they respond physically, emotionally and behaviorally within a family environment.

After analyzing their progress, during this transition period, the dogs are sent to state-licensed foster homes through Our House of Hope.

In the meantime, they attend puppy classes at Double M Obedience in Libertyville. During these classes the owners learn about dog behavior and management while their dogs get used to human interaction.

"Not only do the dogs learn basic commands, they most importantly learn how to trust and gain confidence," said Krinninger.

Maria Betlinski, a dog trainer at Double M Obedience with more than 35 years of experience, patiently works with the House of Hope dogs. She pinpoints the individual problems of each dog and addresses their needs accordingly.

"Many of the House of Hope dogs start out very shy and withdrawn," said Betlinski. "We try to create incentives and motivators for those dogs that hide, draw away into their owners laps and for the ones that don't want to do anything at all."

Many of the older dogs Our House of Hope receives have special needs. Betlinski stressed that is why they put the House of Hope dogs into puppy classes rather than general training classes.

"If the dog can learn some basic commands like sit, stay, down, come and reacts to language, that dog is going to have a much better chance," said Betlinski. "If you get them accustomed to human ways, then you're going to really improve their chances of remaining in a home."

However, getting these pups back on their paws again has been expensive for Our House of Hope K9 Rescue. Recently, the organization received seven dogs from a puppy mill in Missouri which needed a good deal of medical care. They still have two of those dogs - Happy and Lizzy.

"In only about a week and a half it cost $6-7,000 for the medical costs between the seven dogs," Krinninger said. Ninety percent of all the money they raise goes directly to the care of their dogs.

The organization recently raised $3,000 at an annual charity garage sale in the Greg's Landing subdivision in Vernon Hills. Most of rescue's money comes from either fundraisers or donations assisted by the program's Kids for Kritter's Klub.

"In the club we are preparing the children to be the pet owners of tomorrow," said Krinninger. "Right now they are saving money for a custom made boot for our three-legged dog, Lizzy."

Krinninger said the boot will help the dog walk on concrete, driveways and in the wintertime.

It is Our House of Hope's belief that adopting these dogs in need will give them a second chance at life.

"We've put a lot of time and money into these dogs," said Krinninger. "We celebrate every little step of progress they make."