01/22/2024
Running Helping Paws has been an honor and a privilege, so it’s with a heavy heart that I announce my departure.
In 2018, I reached a juncture. The expected path was to continue a highly sought after career in broadcasting. After 12 years in TV news, being a reporter was etched in my bones. I thrived on igniting empathy, unearthing truth, giving the silent a voice and recognizing unsung heroes.
People were surprised when I left on a mission to help veterans and animals as the Executive Director of Helping Paws. Truth be told, I didn’t know the first thing about nonprofits, but I was determined to find a way. It’s been challenging as the only employee, but I’m fortunate to have learned all roles within a 501(c)(3). I was honored to be a finalist for the San Diego Business Journal’s 2023 Nonprofit Leader of the Year.
I want to express my deepest gratitude for your unwavering support throughout my tenure. Your generous contributions made a lifesaving difference. We gave hope to vets who felt hopeless.
With your help, I transformed what was largely a spay/neuter program into a full-fledged operation saving military pets. We treated and saved 425 dogs and cats! In less than 6 years, net income surged by 769%, our database grew by 294% and I am thankful to have secured 28 grants. I’m proud to have earned Guidestar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency for five years, ranking us in roughly the top 2% of nonprofits nationwide.
The true impact can’t be quantified. A pet’s unconditional love can be a lifeline for veterans with Post Traumatic Stress, depression and anxiety.
Early on, a vet said she would have taken her life if I didn’t save her dog. The thought of lowering the veteran su***de rate even by one touched me to the core. Little did I know when I coined the term “Helping Vets by Saving Pets”, there would be many times we’d be “Saving Vets by Helping Pets” as one vet put it.
When courageous troops were in a dark place amid fear of losing their best friend, we offered light. The profound impact we’ve had on military families will forever reverberate in my heart.
I’ve kept my compass pointed True North, and it’s guided me back to the same juncture. I find myself looking down two paths again, and I’ve traveled both. I eagerly look ahead with more expansive knowledge, connections and skills than before. As this road ends, I leave knowing we made an indelible impact for our nation’s heroes in their time of need.
That has made all the difference.
With Heartfelt Gratitude,
Hannah Jaime
P.S.
The organization is going in “a different direction”. Helping Paws’ President/Founder has expressed his goal of making the organization more robust by creating a business entity. His staff at Mohnacky Animal Hospitals, Inc. will be running operations within his clinics for the time being. Please direct all correspondence to their Director of Marketing, Arielle Lujan, at [email protected]
