As a child, I would frequently bring home new pets, and while many weren’t accepted by my mother, one animal that was always welcomed into our house were dogs. At a young age, I learned that humans share a unique connection with dogs, which are genetically modified wolves that have adapted to live with, work with and communicate with humans.

        One facet of the camera that has always fascinated me is its ability to freeze a moment in time revealing something that might have otherwise remained hidden forever.

        We often go about our lives thinking of ourselves and how we can better our own life. No matter where or when you are, there will always be someone or something that is suffering in horrible ways that are hard to imagine. It is important to learn about, and even more important to help those in need, those who have been forgotten about. It is equally important to understand that those struggles occur closer to home than we might realize.

        This 35 image series showcases the work of Angels for Animals Tucson, an animal rescue group caring for dogs and other animals who are often abused, neglected and/or abandoned in Summit Arizona (also known as Dogpatch). Working with the group I have learned that though Summit is a low-income area with cases of animal abuse, many residents care greatly for their animals and are angered by the way some animals get treated in their town. The group's initial job is to help spay neuter and vaccinate dogs owned by people in the area, but their responsibilities have spread to any domestic animals in need. By displaying what happens in Summit Arizona I hope to give the public a view into a place that is unknown to many. 

        Additionally, each image is framed and bordered with a detachable slip lead leash that can be used in the case of a stray dog.