MARTINA - PETEY’S TRAINER

When I first saw Petey in the UnChained program, I thought “He’s just like me”.  I have to work with him.  He was a perfect dog, he just needed somebody who understood him. He’s been misunderstood, like I’ve been misunderstood.  We were a perfect match!

Being in UnChained absolutely changed my outlook on life and on myself! While I loved working with Petey, I also loved the staff who gave me such positivity, warmth and care.  When I got to class each day, it was so great to check in with staff and feel really cared for.  I didn’t have this in my life.  Nobody knew what was going on in my head during that time in my life.  At that point in my life, I couldn’t see all the things life had for me, all the positivity available to me.  I couldn’t see me.  I didn’t know who I was, or who I wanted to be.  I was very depressed with sky-rocketing anxiety ALL the time.  I was always scared…like I would get in trouble for breathing.  I didn’t want to die, but I also didn’t want to be.

When I was either 9 or 10 years old, my birth mom actually tried giving us away (my brother, two sisters and me) by leaving us in the middle of some fields, because she didn’t want us anymore.  She chose her boyfriend over us.  Interestingly, it was her boyfriend who spoke up and said he couldn’t support this.  This was just the beginning.

From then, we were shuttled off to live with an Aunt and Uncle in Salinas. They were toxic to live with.  Lived with them for 2 years where they caused a lot of mental damage to me and my siblings. I couldn’t feel comfortable in my own home.  I got punished for going to bed too early, as one example.  

They kicked me out. They won’t let me see or talk to my little brother.  I was couch-surfing for a long time.  I wanted to finish high school and I was really tired of being homeless, so I went to my other Aunt and Uncles house.  I was under the impression that they would take care of me.  I was always in trouble.  I never got reassurance. Everything was always my fault.

I was sexually assaulted by a family member. 

It’s so much to go back and think about. It all happened and I’ve grown from it.  It’s allowed me to realize it’s not what I want.  I’m not going to be what my family has been; drugs, gangs, violence, jail.  Not finishing anything.

I told myself - I’m not doing this anymore.  I’m going to be the one that breaks the cycle.  I’m growing up to be, who I know I can be.  Why would you want to be one of those negative people who puts everyone else down, when there’s already so much negativity in the world?  I don’t want to add to that.  I want to subtract from that. Family was supposed to help me and take me out of my sadness.  I started to think this life was normal.  Now and then, I’d get a glimpse of what was normal and think I’ve got to get out of here.  

A turning point to see my potential – was when my best friend and his parents died.  He would constantly talk about all the things he wanted to do.  The things he saw that were negative, he would always commit to doing the opposite.  I’m going to carry on the way he lived.  Lesson from him: to love yourself and it all starts in your head.  The only person who gets in your way is yourself. 

I’ve got a crazy-supportive family that I live with now.  My sister, brother-in-law and niece, who I love SO much!  I’ve got support that will benefit me, as long as I’m growing and doing the things that they couldn’t do.  We didn’t grow up with each other, but I know that if anything happened to me, they’d be there faster than anyone else that I grew up with. 

I’m now doing the things that I’ve always wanted to do, but never thought I could do.  It’s the best-scariest feeling I’ve ever had in my whole life. That I’m pursuing something I’ve always wanted to do but have had strong doubts.  I don’t have that extra doubt…like people telling me I can’t do things.  I have people in my life who totally believe in me and tell me to totally freakin’-do-it! Nothing but encouragement from them.  If I were to do something crazy, they’d steer me back on track.  I’m doing more here in my life, than I was able to do with people from my past. My past is helping me create a stronger foundation for my future.  May 2022 – I graduate high school.  Then off to the military.  With the military funding my education, I’ll pursue college.  When the time is right, I want to pursue custody of my little brother, who’s still living with my aunt.

Petey was just under a year old when he was returned to the shelter for the 2nd time. Petey was "too much energy" and "didn't listen."

It was not clear if anyone tried "listening" to Petey, or if his energy just needed to be channeled into play, exercise and training. 

At graduation, Laura was proud to show Petey's focus, follow-through and devotion. Laura spoke from her heart about relating to Petey because she also had felt rejected and insecure. 

She too had moved through foster homes as a child and only really began to feel safe and loved when she was adopted. Laura brought tears to the eyes of Petey's adopters. 

While Laura helped Petey find his happy place, he helped Laura realize her own journey was one of gratitude for her own family.