Fired federal workers find solace in fostering pets

MENTAL HEALTH

- 

DENISE Joseph passion for public service drew her to the Education Department where she began working as an analyst in 2015.

But when Joseph was placed on administrative leave in January - and learned three months later she would be fired — she turned her attention to something else: dogs.

Joseph began fostering two mixed German shepherd and Labrador retriever puppies, Wren and Wrigley.

“T have a reason to get up in the morning,” Joseph told The Washington Post, “to walk the dogs and feed them and, you know, to help calm me.”

Joseph is one of a handful of for-mer federal employees who are taking advantage of an animal rescue’s offer in Arlington, Virginia. Lucky Dog Ani-mal Rescue is providing free supplies, including food, toys, bowls, leashes, collars, treats and crates, to fired fed-eral workers who foster dogs or cats.

Mirah Horowitz, Lucky Dog's chief executive, said the program is great for the pets who get a temporary home, and also the foster volunteers, who might find solace in caring for a pet.

“The cost to the former federal employee or contractor would be their time and their love,” Horowitz said. “And we will provide the rest.”