TOMS RIVER – Most people understand the comfort and companionship emotional support animals can bring to humans struggling with anxiety or trauma. But at All Fur One Pet Rescue & Adoptions on Hooper Avenue, the connection goes both ways.
Dana Vieth, a retired teacher and former social worker, is the dog adoption manager at the nonprofit. In less than two years, she’s helped more than 250 dogs find new homes. But it’s the ones left behind – the timid, the overwhelmed, the ones carrying invisible scars – that stay with her long after closing time.
“Anxiety is just another kind of special need,” said Vieth. “We’ve placed three-legged dogs. We’ve placed dogs with medical conditions. These dogs with emotional trauma? We’d like to see them find homes as well.”
Though Vieth doesn’t use the phrase explicitly, in effect, she’s putting out a call for emotional support humans. Instead of the typical model where people look to pets for healing, the rescue is seeking people who can help these dogs feel safe and rebuild trust – people who can offer the same unconditional love that dogs are known to give.
Located in Anchorage Square Plaza, All Fur One Pet Rescue & Adoptions is more than a shelter – it’s a recovery center for animals in transition. Inside, gentle spa music plays on a loop, calming dogs and cats alike. The front of the facility is home to a sunlit cat room where felines lounge on perches, swat at toys, and peek curiously at visitors. Some are bold, others bashful – but all are hoping for a second chance.
In the back, nine dog kennels provide temporary refuge for adult dogs still waiting for foster or adoptive homes. Puppies are placed in foster care almost immediately. But adult males often wait longer than they should – likely due to persistent stereotypes about marking and dominance.
“They’re some of our best dogs,” said Vieth. “It’s time people stop writing them off.”
All Fur One partners with a rural shelter in Buchanan, Virginia – once one of the highest kill-rate shelters in the state. Thanks to the efforts of All Fur One and two other rescues, that grim distinction is now a thing of the past.
Once they arrive in New Jersey, emotional healing becomes just as important as physical health – often involving a decompression period and evaluation by an animal behaviorist.
Danielle Rich, a certified dog trainer who has been with the rescue for six years, plays a key role in that process. She uses force-free, individualized techniques learned through continued training with the Karen Pryor Academy.
“Some dogs arrive in survival mode,” said Rich. “We don’t evaluate them based on outdated tests. We give them time to settle, to exhale, and to show us who they really are.”
Meet Four Special Dogs
Some of the rescue’s dogs are on anxiety medication as recommended by the behaviorist and prescribed by the rescue’s veterinarian. Vieth encourages potential adopters not to be discouraged.
“Just like humans, they may need a little help in the beginning,” she said. “But that could change once they feel happy and secure.”
With golden-brown fur and a way about him, Billy Joel has quietly become a favorite among volunteers. He was named as part of an ‘80s-themed transport – but his demeanor is more Vienna than Uptown Girl. Calm and soulful, Billy Joel is happiest walking by your side with what seems like theme music playing in his head. His go-to comfort item? A plush pickle toy he carries around like a prized possession.
At three years old, Billy Joel has been at the rescue for more than two years. He’s house-trained, non-destructive, and thrives on routine. He prefers homes with female dogs or younger males, and he’s best suited for families with older children. While on anxiety medication, he’s gentle and affectionate – and quick to bond once he feels safe.
Tan and black and full of energy, Nikola Tesla has made incredible strides. When he first arrived, he tugged on clothes and bit his leash to self-soothe. Now, with consistent training and emotional support, those behaviors are nearly gone.
Tesla is crate-trained, housebroken, and fantastic with kids and other dogs. At under two years old and 58 pounds, he’s active, smart, and full of potential. He loves fetch, car rides, and learning new tricks – but still hasn’t received a single adoption application.
“He’s affectionate, focused, and ready,” said Rich. “He just needs someone to flip the switch.”
If joy could be bottled, it might look like Papaya, whose sleek black coat matches her shiny personality. She goes from tail-chasing to cuddle time in a heartbeat and is known for her loving, goofy nature.
Papaya is house-trained and does well with kids and other dogs. When she’s anxious, she offers kisses – her way of self-soothing and staying connected. She’s currently on a temporary anxiety medication, but her caregivers believe she may outgrow the need entirely in a stable, loving home.
At just 35 pounds, Tundra may be the smallest of the group – but his heart is as vast as the trails he loves. Returned after a short-lived adoption due to his energy, Tundra has since made great strides through sleepovers and day trips with a volunteer.
He thrives outdoors and prefers calm environments to chaotic ones. Though not currently on medication, he may benefit from additional support depending on his future home. He and Papaya often comfort each other through the bars of their neighboring kennels – a quiet reminder that healing doesn’t happen alone.
More Than Adoptions
All Fur One offers much more than adoption services. Their community outreach includes a monthly free vaccine clinic and the All Fur Food Pet Pantry, which supports local families who need help feeding their pets.
Every adopter receives a comprehensive “Adoption Kit,” which includes medical records, microchip registration, a 30-day pet insurance policy, and a free week of virtual dog training through GoodPup.
For those not ready to adopt, the rescue welcomes help in many forms: weekend sleepovers, day trips, short-term fostering, or longer “foster-for-keeps” arrangements. Even brief outings can reveal the true personality of a dog beyond the kennel walls – often turning a simple outing into the first step toward forever.
All Fur One Pet Rescue & Adoptions is located at 1747 Hooper Avenue in Suite 11. For information on adopting, fostering, or volunteering, visit allfurone.org, call 732-ALL-FUR-1, or email info@allfurone.org.
