Today we’d like to introduce you to Lisa Brooks.
Hi Lisa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
We started in dog rescue about 20 years ago, volunteering at a local shelter. At the time, we just wanted to help—walking dogs, assisting where we could—but it didn’t take long to see how overwhelming the need really was.
Over time, that initial volunteering turned into fostering, then networking, and eventually taking a more active role in saving dogs from high-risk situations. The more we got involved, the harder it became to say no, especially to the cases that didn’t have anyone else stepping in.
What began as simply wanting to help has grown into a full commitment to rescue. Today, we focus on pulling dogs from overcrowded shelters, helping with medical cases, and ensuring dogs not only get out, but land in the right homes.
It’s been a long journey, and while rescue is often challenging and emotional, it’s also incredibly rewarding. Seeing these dogs get a second chance is what continues to drive us every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road.
Rescue comes with constant challenges—limited fosters, limited funding, and an overwhelming number of dogs needing help. One of the hardest parts has been having to say no when we simply don’t have the resources, knowing the outcome for some of those dogs.
There have also been emotional challenges. You see neglect, medical cases that are heartbreaking, and situations where dogs have been failed over and over again. It can take a toll.
On top of that, there are logistical struggles—coordinating fosters, vet care, transport, and adoptions while trying to ensure every dog is placed safely and responsibly.
But despite all of that, the successes make it worth it. Every dog that gets a second chance reminds us why we keep going.
As you know, we’re big fans of POOCH SAVERS RESCUE. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
We are a foster-based dog rescue focused on saving dogs from overcrowded shelters, owner surrenders, the streets and urgent medical situations. Our work centers on stepping in when a dog has nowhere else to go—especially those that are at risk due to space, time, or medical needs.
What we specialize in is taking in dogs that often require a little extra care or advocacy. This can include medical cases, behavioral cases, seniors, and dogs that need immediate placement into foster homes. We then work to stabilize, evaluate, and prepare each dog for adoption into carefully screened, permanent homes.
What sets us apart is our hands-on, highly personal approach. We are deeply involved in every step of the process—from intake and vetting to fostering, matching, and adoption follow-up. Every dog is treated as an individual, not just a number, and we focus heavily on making sure each placement is the right fit long-term.
We are most proud of the community we’ve built—our fosters, adopters, transporters, and supporters who consistently step up to make rescue possible. Without them, none of this work would happen.
At our core, we are driven by one goal: to give dogs a real second chance and place them into homes where they are safe, loved, and understood.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
In rescue work, a lot of what we do is learned through experience and community, but there are definitely a few resources that help us stay grounded and keep improving.
Shows and trainers like Cesar Millan and Tibor to the Rescue have been helpful in understanding dog behavior, structure, and rehabilitation, especially when working with fearful, reactive, or misunderstood dogs. They offer different perspectives that can be useful when trying to assess what a dog may need to succeed in a home.
We also learn a lot from other rescues—sharing experiences, discussing difficult behavioral or medical cases, and supporting each other through challenges. That community network is one of the most valuable resources we have.
Outside of rescue-specific tools, we look for information on dog behavior, training, and rehabilitation to better understand fearful, anxious, or under-socialized dogs and set them up for success in foster and adoptive homes.
Ultimately, the most important “resource” for us is staying connected to people who care deeply about the same mission—because collaboration is what makes this work possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.poochsavers.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/poochsavers/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoochSavers
- Twitter: https://x.com/POOCHSAVERS
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@poochsaversrescue1841
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/pooch-savers-plano
