Asher felt an instant connection to Hank, who is a playful, 2-year-old Aussie-mix that loves to cuddle and acts like he doesn’t understand he’s fairly big, weighing in at 63 pounds.
Last month, SICSA’s community engagement manager Kaitlin Becraft drove 37 hours and more than 2,300 miles to take Hank to his new home at the Asher House animal sanctuary, where he joined a pack of dogs who get to have a special way of life.
“It was amazing to see how quickly Hank fit in with his new family, bouncing around and playing happily from his very first pack walk with Lee and his dogs,” Becraft said. “I literally cried tears of joy seeing how happy he was on that first hike.”
The Asher House is a nonprofit animal sanctuary in Salem, Oregon that has a huge following online, including more than seven million followers on Facebook.
Asher, who quit his job in corporate finance and founded the sanctuary in 2017, also was featured on an Animal Planet TV show called “My Pack Life” that aired in 2022 and 2023.
The Asher House has about 240 acres of fenced-in land that is home to a variety of animals, including some cats and farm animals.
But the sanctuary’s dog pack tends to be the star of the show.
About 150 or more rescued dogs get to run free on the massive grounds. They get to go on walks, hikes and swims. Videos of the pack having fun get millions of views on social media and other online platforms.
Asher House has dozens of employees who prepare meals, distribute medicine, clean the facilities and do other tasks. Some of the dogs are available for adoption, while others are permanent residents.
Asher in November gave a talk about his life and work at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton. Before the event, he visited SICSA, which he described in a social media video post as one most beautiful animal shelters he’s ever seen.
Asher said he instantly fell for Hank, who had been in SICSA’s care for almost two months. He decided to adopt the dog.
In early December, Becraft spent several days driving across the country with Hank to take him to Oregon.
The road-trippers got to see Badlands National Park and Yellowstone National Park along the way.
Jack Omer, president and CEO of SICSA, and Mary Wrenn, another employee, met Becraft at the sanctuary, after they caught a flight to the Beaver State. They stayed at the sanctuary and got a full tour.
Becraft said the Asher House is an incredible place that’s perfect for special dogs like Hank.
“Lee and his team make sure the dogs have the love and care they need,” she said. “It’s magical to see so many dogs all exploring the beautiful Oregon mountainside together in their own kind of harmony.”
Hank is now a permanent member of the dog pack.
Hank’s already settled in and has been making friends. Asher recently took Hank to the Oregon coast to play on the beach.
“Our overall experience at the Asher House was one we will never forget,” Becraft said. “What he is doing is unlike anything most people have ever seen in the animal welfare world. Lee is such a kind, caring and honest person.”
SICSA, founded in 1974, runs adoption and temporary foster placement programs, a low-cost veterinary clinic and offers pet food assistance.
SICSA placed more than 2,100 dogs and cats last year — which was a new record for the organization. SICSA last year also distributed 60,000 pounds of pet food to owners in need.
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