For the very first time, Golden Dog presented the Pawsitive Impact Award at this year’s End-of-Year Celebration to recognize someone whose generosity, kindness, and quiet leadership have left a lasting paw print on our community.
This year’s recipient has been a constant source of encouragement, connection, and support since joining Golden Dog in 2022—welcoming new members, cheering on every win, leading adventures, and helping raise thousands of dollars for rescue dogs, community causes, and people in need. Their impact reaches far beyond any single event and reflects the very heart of what Golden Dog stands for.
Congratulations to our inaugural Pawsitive Impact Award winner: Erica Marino.
Here is the speech from the celebration — the reason why Erica Marino is our inaugural recipient!
“For the very first time, Golden Dog is presenting the Pawsitive Impact Award — an award created to recognize someone whose presence, generosity, and spirit have left a lasting paw print on our community.
This award isn’t about titles. It’s not about who has attended the most events. And it’s definitely not about who owns the most Golden Dog t-shirts… although that might be a future category.
This award is about impact — the kind that happens quietly, consistently, and with a whole lot of heart.
From the moment this person joined Golden Dog back in November of 2022, they didn’t just become a member — they became a force. The good kind. The kind that shows up when someone is new, unsure, or just needs a friendly face.
If you’ve spent any time in our Facebook community, you know exactly who I’m talking about.
They are often the first to welcome new members on Wednesdays — making sure no one feels like they’re joining the group alone.
They’re quick to offer thoughtful advice, encouragement, and resources when questions pop up — never judgment, always support.
They are a constant cheerleader, celebrating the wins — big and small — whether that’s a dog conquering a fear, a human trying something new, or someone simply showing up.
This person also stepped up as a Local Adventure Guide, leading a hike on one of their favorite trails and sharing not just directions — but their love of nature, community, and connection. Because with Golden Dog, it’s never just about the walk.
And then there’s the giving.
In just a few short years, this person — alongside friends, family, and a very generous circle of supporters — has helped raise thousands of dollars for rescue dogs and community causes.
From the Pets of the 603 photo book project with Sandra McCarthy Photography in 2023 that raised over $15K for Mary’s Dogs, to the Best of the Best Yearbook contest that raised over $3K for Golden Dog charitable partners — their impact ripples far beyond any single event.
They are also the person who never shows up empty-handed when we’re collecting donations. If there’s a cause — they’re already supporting it. If there’s a need — they’re already sharing it.
And the giving doesn’t stop with dogs.
Beyond the Golden Dog world, this person is constantly showing up for people, too — supporting causes like:
- A friend’s Boston Marathon fundraiser for Beth Israel Lahey Hospital
- The Tito’s 5K Ugly Sweater Race (bringing out the best humans and pups for rescue dogs)
- The Penguin Plunge for the New Hampshire SPCA
- Fundraisers for Mary’s Mary’s Dogs at Take Five Dogcare
- GoFundMe campaigns for friends, members, and anyone who could use a boost
- And countless local small businesses — because community matters
And just when you think, surely this person rests sometimes…
They decide to conquer the MammothMarch — 20 miles at Bear Brook State Park.
Because apparently supporting everyone else, fundraising year-round, and being the emotional backbone of multiple communities still leaves room for a casual 20-mile hike.
This award exists because people like this exist.
People who make others feel seen.
People who give without being asked.
People who quietly raise the bar for what community can look like.
So today, it is my absolute honor to present the first-ever Golden Dog Pawsitive Impact Award to someone who embodies everything Golden Dog stands for — heart, generosity, connection, and joy.
Please join me in celebrating our inaugural recipient…”
Erica Marino
Pet Supplies Plus in Somersworth, NH gives hope year-round through weekly donations to the Somersworth Food Pantry, ongoing monetary support for Cornerstone VNA’s Pet Peace of Mind Program, regular Redford pet food and treat donations to Caleb’s Opus, and a holiday wishing tree benefiting multiple local organizations.
Take Five Dogcare supports local rescues year-round through events, activities, and hands-on help. They partner closely with Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption by providing daycare for adoptable dogs, sponsoring the annual Run for the Dogs 5K, hosting giving trees, and offering community events like their Cozy Cabin Holiday Photo Shoot on December 6th to raise awareness and support.
Friendly Pets is supporting the community this holiday season through donations to local rescues, schools, and charities—including gift cards, raffle baskets, and in-store money boxes. They also host customer donation bins for groups like NH SPCA, Pope Memorial Humane Society, Spicy Cats, and the Guinea Pig Sanctuary.
Sandra McCarthy Photography has made giving back to the rescue community a core part of its mission since 2016. Through holiday sessions, creative fundraising projects, and auction donations, the business has partnered with local rescues and helped raise more than $35,000 to support their lifesaving work and the animals who depend on them.
Barrington Barks & Behavior is giving back this holiday season by pairing their themed Sensory Explorers sessions with community support efforts. They’re collecting food, warm clothing, and essential items, and they continue to donate sensory sessions to dogs staying at Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption. Their focus is on caring for both pets and the people in their community.
You and Your Dog Training & Services supports the community by helping families stay connected with their dogs through education, early learning opportunities, and accessible guidance. They offer free puppy playgroups and complimentary consults year-round. This holiday season, they’re hosting a donation collection bin to support local pets and families in need.
Healthy Pets NH supports the local animal welfare community by dedicating select classes and workshops as annual fundraisers. Believing strongly in the impact of local nonprofits, they donate a portion of registration fees to organizations that care for pets and the people who love them, helping strengthen vital programs and services across the region.
Canine Connection, New Hampshire’s largest indoor dog park, offers a safe, welcoming space for dogs and their people to play and build community year-round. They regularly give back to local rescues—including fundraising for Old Dogs Go To Helen—and this season they’re hosting Pet Photos with Santa on December 6th to support the NH Humane Society in Laconia.
Miss Behavior Training supports local rescues by providing discounted and free training services to Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption and Old Dogs Go To Helen. They also contribute time and expertise to community fundraising efforts, including helping organize a recent pickleball tournament benefiting senior and hospice dogs in need.
Good Paws Bakery gives back by donating a portion of its profits to animal rescue groups. This season, they’re sponsoring the Salem Animal Rescue League and continuing their support of PAWS New England through monthly donations and treat contributions. Their commitment remains focused on helping the organizations doing vital rescue work.
Kimberly Sarah Photography will be a vendor at this year’s Old Dogs Go To Helen Winter Vendor Fair on December 6th, contributing a portion of proceeds from to the organization. They also support charities year-round through their ongoing donation program and by providing photography services to organizations in need.
How We’re Giving Hope Locally
This season, we’re shining a light on the organizations that help keep both families and their pets safe, fed, and supported through difficult times. Even though the government shutdown has ended and benefits have resumed, the ripple effects continue to strain households across New Hampshire. Local food pantries, pet food programs, and rescue organizations are still facing increased demand as families work to recover and rebuild stability.
Through Shop Local. Give Hope., we’re highlighting the community heroes who make a direct impact every day—food pantries, pet pantries, rescues, and charitable groups that provide essential support when it’s needed most. We’ll be sharing their missions, wish lists, and opportunities to give so our community can rally around them in meaningful, tangible ways. Together with our Golden Dog Partners, we aim to bring hope, relief, and compassion to neighbors and pets who need it most this holiday season.
Mary’s Dogs Rescue & Adoption is a
501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to saving dogs from overcrowded Southern shelters and placing them into loving homes across New England. Each year, the organization rescues and rehomes roughly 600 dogs, providing essential care and support throughout their journey to a better life.
With the help of a committed network of volunteers, foster families, adopters, and community partners, Mary’s Dogs ensures every dog receives compassion, stability, and a strong foundation for success. The organization also serves as a resource for local pet owners, offering education on responsible pet care, spay/neuter practices, positive training, and proper nutrition.
Donor support plays a vital role in sustaining their work, helping Mary’s Dogs maintain high standards of care, strengthen rescue partnerships, and continue matching good dogs with the families who will love them.
How You Can Help:
Ongoing Donation Wish List:
- Paper bowls
- Paper towels
- Tide pods
- Bully sticks and other safe and natural consumable chews for 30+lb dogs
- Old Mother Hubbard mini peanut butter treats
- Kong classic fillable products
Cornerstone VNA is a nonprofit home
health and hospice organization dedicated to helping individuals maintain dignity, comfort, and independence through compassionate, expert care. Serving people of all ages since 1913, they provide a wide range of services, including home care, palliative support, and hospice care.
A key part of this mission is their partnership with the Pet Peace of Mind® (PPOM) program, a national initiative that ensures hospice and palliative care patients can keep their beloved pets by their side. Recognizing how important pets are to emotional well-being, Cornerstone VNA volunteers provide hands-on assistance such as dog walking, basic pet care, and support with small tasks that become challenging during serious illness.
Donations to the program help purchase pet food and cover essential grooming or veterinary costs for patients in need, allowing pets to remain healthy, safe, and at home. Through PPOM, Cornerstone VNA helps preserve the powerful bond between patients and their companion animals—bringing comfort, stability, and peace during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Current needs this season, include:
Old Dogs Go To Helen is a New 
Hampshire–based 501(c)(3) dedicated to giving senior and hospice dogs the loving retirement they deserve. Founded by the St. Pierre family—longtime trainers, fosters, and animal advocates—the organization welcomes aging and special-needs dogs into their home, providing comfort, medical support, and dignity in their final chapter. They also assist senior dogs nationwide by fostering when needed, supporting shelters and rescues, and educating the public about the incredible joy older dogs bring to a home.
Your support helps make this work possible. Donations allow Old Dogs Go To Helen to provide essential medical testing, treatments, end-of-life care, soft beds, and everything senior dogs need to feel safe and cherished. Every contribution—of any amount—directly fuels their mission and improves the lives of dogs who need it most. Thank you for supporting their work and the animals in their care.
How You Can Help:
Animal Care & Feed
- Alfalfa pellets
- Grain and feed
- Pine shavings bedding
- Straw bedding
- Shavings (general)
Barn & Farm Supplies
- Water heaters
- Blankets for the horses
Dog Care Items
- Pill Pockets
- Dog beds
- Disposable pee pads
- Washable pee pads
Cleaning & Sanitation
- Paper towels
- Hand sanitizer
- Clorox bleach-free cleaning wipes
- Heavy-duty white duct tape
- Trash bags
- Laundry detergent
Additional Needs
- Fleece blankets
Pope Memorial Humane Society–Cocheco Valley (PMHS-CV) is a
community-funded 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the humane treatment of animals across Strafford County, NH, and Southern Maine. Serving more than 1,000 surrendered, lost, abused, or unwanted animals each year, PMHS-CV provides safe shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and thoughtful adoption matchmaking. Their work extends beyond the shelter through robust foster programs, humane education, community outreach, cruelty-investigation support, and essential services such as a pet food pantry and low-cost clinics. With a mission rooted in compassion, advocacy, and community involvement, PMHS-CV empowers volunteers, donors, and local partners to help safeguard the well-being of animals and strengthen the human–animal bond. Learn more about their impact.
ElderPet provides ongoing pet food assistance to income-qualified,
responsible pet owners—prioritizing seniors and individuals with disabilities—to help them keep their beloved animals at home. Through an application-based program, ElderPet supplies donated or purchased pet food for up to two spayed/neutered pets, delivered directly or dropped at designated locations in Dover, Rochester, Somersworth, Durham, and Newmarket, with occasional arrangements available for surrounding areas. Supported entirely by donations, ElderPet helps bridge temporary gaps for pet owners in need and also directs individuals to additional community resources when necessary. Gift cards, food donations, and financial contributions are always welcome to sustain this compassionate, community-driven program.
CURRENT NEED: Chewy Gives Back digital eGift cards so they can purchase what is needed
The Animal Rescue League of NH’s
Pet Food Pantry helps keep pets with the families who love them by providing supplemental food and essential supplies to households facing financial hardship. The pantry is stocked entirely through community donations—new, unopened pet food and gift cards that allow ARLNH to purchase high-need items. Through direct support and partnerships like Meals on Wheels, the program ensures vulnerable pet owners have reliable access to nourishment for their animals, strengthening both family stability and community wellbeing.
They accept any brand of unopened food. Most requested brands/items:
- Purina Dog Chow, Purina One
Salmon/Fish-based foods for allergy pups - Purina Cat Chow
- Meow Mix
- Blue Buffalo Tastefuls
- Cat Litter
- Cat Treats
- Dog Toys
- Dog Treats
- Dog Collars/Leashes
The New Hampshire SPCA serves 
people and pets throughout the state with comprehensive programs that include pet adoption, behavior training, humane education, cruelty investigation and intervention, and accessible, low-cost spay/neuter clinics. As part of its commitment to supporting both animals and the families who care for them, the NHSPCA operates the Food Share Program—a lifeline for pet guardians facing financial strain. By providing temporary pet food assistance during difficult times, the program helps families avoid the heartbreaking decision to surrender their animals and ensures beloved pets can remain safely at home. This not only strengthens the human–animal bond but also preserves critical shelter capacity for animals in immediate need. Through the Food Share Program, the NHSPCA offers compassion, stability, and practical support to community members navigating tough moments.
To help guide your donations, here’s a quick overview of the brands they use:
For their in-house/adoptable animals:
- Iams (canned and dry)
- Fancy Feast (canned)
- Purina (canned and dry)
For their Community Pet Food Pantry:
They gladly accept any brands, but the most commonly requested and distributed are:
- Meow Mix and Friskies for cats
- Pedigree for dogs
- Any type of cat litter is also greatly appreciated.
How to Get Donations to the Charities Listed Above
Donations can be dropped off or shipped directly to any of the organizations listed above, and many have convenient online wish lists for easy purchasing. Golden Dog Adventure Co. is also accepting contributions at our home office, at events, and at the Golden Dog Playground—and we’re happy to arrange pickup for larger donations. Several Golden Dog partners are also offering additional drop-off locations, and items can be coordinated with the organizations noted above to ensure they reach the pets and families who need them most.
For more information or to arrange a drop off or pick up, please contact us at woof@goldendognh.com, or call/text (603) 815-2453. Thank you!
