The Unstoppable Dogs

Huntington Beach, California · Special Needs Pack, Therapy Dogs & Future Sanctuary

Most of them are paralyzed or missing limbs. Nearly all of them survived abuse or neglect that should have ended their story. They get around on wheelchairs and prosthetics — and if you have ever watched them tear down a California beach at full speed, you already understand the name.

It started with Eddie, a terrier mix found dragging his paralyzed back legs after severe spinal trauma. Debbie Pearl — a dog trainer who spent years preparing dogs for film and television — took him in, then couldn't find anyone willing to adopt a dog in a wheelchair. So she had a different idea: bring him along to the hospitals, schools, and veteran centers where she was already doing animal-assisted therapy through her nonprofit, Dream Fetchers. Turns out a dog who has survived something unthinkable is exactly who a person in a hard moment wants to meet.

Sixteen dogs later, The Unstoppables travel the country as therapy dogs and ambassadors. Their next chapter is The Unstoppable Ranch — a sanctuary in Huntington Beach where special needs dogs can heal, recover, and when possible, find a home of their own.

These dogs do not spend one second feeling sorry for themselves. That is exactly the kind of pack we want to feed.