Benchmark Happenings

Shaping a Compassionate Future for Animals - Sullivan County Animal Shelter

• Jonathan Tipton, Steve Reed & Christine Reed • Episode 10

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Have you ever wondered how you could make a difference in the life of a shelter animal? Join us as we sit down with the tireless Brandi Perky, director of Sullivan County Animal Shelter, and unravel her remarkable 10-year journey in animal welfare. From the cat room to the kennels and finally the office, Brandy recounts her experiences with passion and empathy, reminding us of the deep emotional connection between animals and their human counterparts.

Brandy's story is not just about caring for animals; it's about making substantial changes in their lives. Imagine reducing a shelter's euthanasia rate from a heart-wrenching 40% to a mere 3% in just four years! That's exactly what Brandy and her dedicated team accomplished through strategic protocols, community education, and robust programs. The measures not only provided immediate relief but also focused on the long-term welfare of the animals, such as low-cost spaying and neutering services. Also, get insights into the surprising benefits of microchipping and how social media plays a vital role in reuniting lost pets with their owners.

But what does it take to adopt a pet? Brandy walks us through the process, emphasizing the importance of regular veterinary care, dental health, and a solid understanding of the commitment involved. She also shares about the unique volunteer opportunities at the shelter, and upcoming events like the National Night Out in Bristol. This conversation is a treasure trove of information for animal lovers, potential pet owners, and anyone passionate about animal welfare. Join us and let's explore the world through the eyes of our furry friends!

To help you to navigate the home buying and mortgage process, Jonathan & Steve are currently licensed in Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia, contact us today at 423-491-5405 or visit www.jonathanandsteve.com.

Speaker 1:

This is Benchmark Happenings, brought to you by Jonathan and Steve from Benchmark Home Lounge. Northeast Tennessee, johnson City, kingsport, bristol, the Tri-Cities One of the most beautiful places in the country to live. Tons of great things to do and awesome local businesses. And on this show you'll find out why people are dying to move to Northeast Tennessee. On the way, we'll have discussions about mortgages and we'll interview people in the real estate industry. It's what we do. This is Benchmark Happenings, brought to you by Benchmark Home Lounge and now your host, christine Reed.

Christine Reed:

Well, hey, everybody, welcome to another show of Benchmark Happenings. We have a great guest lined up for today. We have Miss Brandy Perky and she is the director of Sullivan County Animal Shelter. Brandy, welcome, thank you. Thanks for having me. Absolutely, you know what it's. You know. I was reading on the website about your animal shelter and what you guys do and I really was just had no idea of what you guys have accomplished in the Sullivan County area taking care of animals. So thank you for what you're doing. I know we're going to dive into that a little bit more today. Yes, ma'am, okay. So, brandy, tell us a little bit about yourself and how did you get connected to the Sullivan County Animal Shelter?

Brandi Perky:

Well, I've been doing animal welfare for about 10 years, so actually I started taking care of kids and decided that was not for me. I switched to animals. Were animals easier? Yes, by far.

Christine Reed:

Okay, they don't talk back, right, they don't talk back, so I had my nine-year-old son and realized wait a minute.

Brandi Perky:

It's time to. It's time to go back to do something different.

Christine Reed:

So yeah, oh, that is so funny. So now, how many children do you have?

Brandi Perky:

I have two, both boys, so they keep me on my feet and traveling all the time with sports and Okay, and so the oldest is nine. No, my oldest is 13. Oh, wow. That teenage years. I don't know if he's going to make it to 14.

Christine Reed:

Okay, so yeah, and just so everybody knows, animals are well. In a way they're a little easier. Yes, but there's a lot to know about taking care of an animal and having a pet.

Brandi Perky:

Yes, ma'am. So having an animal is just like having a toddler all the time. So, yes, I don't feel like they ever grow out of that stage?

Christine Reed:

Yes, but I think that you know we'll get into this. But I believe that God put dogs on this planet to teach us unconditional love.

Brandi Perky:

Yes, the dogs will love you, no matter what. They're always there for you. They can feel the feelings that you're having. If you're having a bad day, they know it. They know when to come and just sit their head on your lap and you know they're just. They're just great creatures.

Christine Reed:

Absolutely, and I told you earlier. So my husband, Steve, he's home sick, so he has he's having an allergy attack and Brody, our little multi poo who's nine, he's up there on the bed with my husband and he is. He won't leave us side. He knows something's wrong. He knows something's wrong with daddy, and that's what we are we're. We're daddy and mommy with Brody's. So now, how long have you been with the animal shelter, Brandy?

Brandi Perky:

So, again, I've been there about 10 years. That's where I actually started my career at. I started out in the cat room I'm kind of moved to the kennels, moved, worked with the cats again then back to the office. In 2018, the county took over the animal shelter in Sullivan County in Bluntville and they asked me to stay on his management, so I stayed. You know it was. It was a rough. It was a rough change and we had a lot of things that we needed to change about the shelter. It was a very high kill shelter. At that time, about 40% of our animals were being euthanized for space. We knew something needed to change. Wow, just a little bit. Now you know we're underneath 3% for euthanasia. So within you know, a three year, four year period, we'll be able to change that around with all of our protocols.

Christine Reed:

So so you guys went from a 40% rate, right, and a lot of people probably don't understand what that means, brandy. So kind of explain that a little bit the the, what the 40% was and then where you are at 3% and what that means a no kill shelter.

Brandi Perky:

So the 40% were animals that were just being brought in constantly. There were no intake protocols, really no spaying neuter. We focus heavily on spaying neuter. The more animals that we can spay neuter in our community, the less animals to come into the shelter. So we started putting in a lot of programs. We started doing getting a lot of spaying neuter. Some manage intake so we were able to care for more. Capacity of care is talked a lot from UT, so that's going to be as many animals versus how many staff you have. We want to give them the best life while they're in the shelter, whether that's being socializing them, getting to know their personalities. It just helps adopters, you know, be able to take them home and keep them versus bringing them back because they, you know, they just they don't know what they were getting their self into.

Christine Reed:

Okay, and so so that's pretty. To go from 40% to what? 3%? Yes, that's impressive. Yes, in a matter of what?

Brandi Perky:

four years? So we started to turn ourselves to be a community outreach shelter.

Christine Reed:

Okay.

Brandi Perky:

So instead of a dumping ground for the community, just you know not spaying, neutering those animals.

Brandi Perky:

We started implementing programs To help with. You know how to keep your animal? Do you need food? A lot of people like I just can't afford to take care of them. As you know, food is expensive. Cat and dog food is expensive. So we started a food pantry that kind of helps the community to keep their animals. We've got our low cost spaying neuter clinic now so we're able to say, hey, let's, let's take that litter of kittens and let's fix mom, so you don't have to worry about having kittens again. So just over the years that's really helped us Okay.

Christine Reed:

And how many programs have you added to the animal shelter, brandy Cause? I know, when I was looking on the the website it was like um, I love the idea of the spaying neuter program. Uh, tell us a little bit more about that one.

Brandi Perky:

Um so the spaying neuter program. Um a couple of years ago we put in an actual spaying neuter pro. Uh shelter in our shelter, oh wow.

Brandi Perky:

So, we have three tables back there. Um, we started out with two and UT actually comes out and brings students to do surgeries for us, um, to kind of help with that. They do shelter and community cats. We'll talk more about the community cat program but, um, these animals so low cost. Um, if you go to a veterinarian you're going to spend, you know, $300 or $400. Um, we're able to do it at a lot lower cost. Um, again, it's a great community need. That was there. Um, that can be owned. Dogs, um, those again feral cats that run outside those house cats.

Brandi Perky:

We get a lot of people that say, well, my animal won't go outside. What if it does get to go outside? Or what if it gets away from you those types of things.

Christine Reed:

Right, and what are some of the benefits of having your dog or cat spayed and neutered?

Brandi Perky:

Well, it's being a responsible animal or, I guess, responsible pet owner. Okay, um, so you're not having those multiple litters. Um, it helps them, you know. So they're not having, um, you know, cancer and things like that. When they're older, um, you know, you say, oh, I'm gonna give them away. Well, that's one more animal out there that's going to be populating the community, um, and Sullivan County has a lot of, you know, animals that are just homeless because of that.

Christine Reed:

Hmm, so do we have a? Uh, is there anybody there that a lot of stray animals that are just being picked up and dropped off at the animal shelter, or you know how do we help control that we get?

Brandi Perky:

a lot of strays, uh, so one big thing that we do a lot at the shelter is microchip. Um, so that is a chip that goes like just behind their neck.

Brandi Perky:

Um if they get lost, um, we can scan that with a scanner. Um, we put that number into a system and it will give us the owners information we're able to call and get that. You know, get that pet home sooner, um. You know, that's our vaccine clinics and stuff. We actually started doing that for free, Um, because again it just gets them back home a lot quicker.

Christine Reed:

Oh, wow, that's, that's great, that is a great program. Because I know that you know if you lose your pet for some reason. And then I've seen the posters up, you know, you know, please call me. And I'm thinking, oh, my goodness, one of the chances that that little precious animals going to be found.

Brandi Perky:

And I love the idea of the chip, yes, Well, and you know, we post them on social media. Um, as do you know, me's hoping to get them home, but you do have people who don't have social media.

Christine Reed:

So you know, this is a little bit, just just that little extra security to help them get home Right, right. So are there any other uh programs that you've added? Um that people need to know about? Um for the animal shelter.

Brandi Perky:

We've got lots of programs. So our community cat program um, this is going to be a TNR, so trap need a release is what that stands for. Um, these are going to be animals that are I'm sorry, cats, um, that are outside. They don't necessarily have to be feral. We've tried to get away from feral. So, feral meaning, you know, just can't touch them.

Brandi Perky:

Um community cats can be those outdoor cats that you're able to come and pet and things, but don't do well in kennels Um. So what they do is they fix them. They clip a little piece of their ear I mean it's teeny tiny to show that they're fixed. They go back out Um. So if the community, if they're roaming, the community people know they're fixed, so they're not out there populating Um. We give them a rabies vaccine Um and we give them a booster shot so they're they're fighting those diseases and not spreading them to the rest of the community cats Um. We have a lot of people who have colonies Um. So that's you know more normally more than 10, um that they just feed. So they get them on a feeding schedule um feed them through the day and then they go out and do their thing and so it's a nice, it's just nice for them Um.

Brandi Perky:

Cats are not all indoor Um. You know there's a lot of those they're, they're free roaming animals Um. So kind of like your, your raccoon I hate to say these raccoon, but you know truly they like, some of them like to be outside Um. You know I have indoor outdoor cats Um. They have the window downstairs open for them. So they have a litter box, they have food inside but they're able to go outside and enjoy the sunshine and, you know, lay on the porch and I don't have to worry about you know again, them out there. Populating solving County.

Christine Reed:

There you go, and also they're good about having those cats around. You know little mice, you know little field mice and things like that around your house. You don't? You've? You've got a few cats. You certainly don't see those, do you?

Brandi Perky:

You don't see your mouse yeah.

Brandi Perky:

Um. We have our vaccine clinics Um. So these are done at the shelter. They're a drive-through service, um, so you don't even have to get out of your car. Um, we're able to do rabies, flea meds, dewarmer, the booster shots again. Microchips, um. These are again all done in your car. We do these once a month, again, low cost. Um. We have a veterinarian Um. Her name is Dr Stone. She's wonderful, she wears an Appalachian, she volunteers her time to help us with this Um, and she just wants to give back to the community. Um, when we started doing this, I did not think it would take off as much as it did, because I didn't think people understood how important it was to vaccinate their animals.

Brandi Perky:

There's a lot of people who want to do the right thing. Um, just can't afford it. So this was something you know. We serve anywhere from a hundred and 50 to 200, sometimes you know a little bit more each vaccine clinic, and this is, um, sometimes a two to three hour period, so they're they're moving pretty quickly through there.

Christine Reed:

So, ken, uh, so when do you typically offer this clinic? It's once a month. Is it a particular day, brandy?

Brandi Perky:

It's normally the third Thursday of the month. Um, we do adjust that periodically, um, because she again volunteers her time. So if she's got something she's doing that week and can't get there, we'll do it. You know a four Um, if it gets rained out, we'll try to reschedule. Um, we normally don't do this through. We stop in November, um, until January, um, or, I'm sorry, january, we don't do it. February, we start back. It's just too cold.

Christine Reed:

Um, again, it's a drive through service, and so I have texts out there that are helping.

Brandi Perky:

You know, either hands are cold, and then, of course, you know it's just sometimes snowing, so yeah, yeah, that is.

Christine Reed:

that's great. That is a great service. Can anybody just drive up with their pet at this clinic?

Brandi Perky:

Yes, so we actually do not just serve Sullivan County. That is one program that is welcome for Washington County, hawkins County. We have people who drive an hour to come to our clinics. So there's just a form you fill out when you first get there and then we'll move you up to the next tent. That's where you pay and then, once you go to the next tent, that's where our veterinarian is to vaccinate.

Christine Reed:

Okay, so what is the cost typically for something like that?

Brandi Perky:

Some of our vaccines are $15. The rabies vaccine is 10. So state law requires you to have a vaccine. You know have the rabies vaccine. So again that one's 10. For dewormer, that's $5. And we also offer pervecto. That's a big one. So pervecto is a three month flee. It's $25. So that's gonna cover your flea tick, even mange and those things. I use that on my animals because I have a hard time remembering every month to give mine theirs. So every three months is a lot easier for me.

Christine Reed:

So would that be if your pet primarily stayed inside most of the time, would they need that pervecto, or is it for all pets really?

Brandi Perky:

You know, I hear a lot on my pet. Don't go outside so they don't need flea meds. You can carry fleas on your clothes so you can bring them into your pet. I mean, even if they give out on the porch, they can still get. You know, they can still get fleas. So it's very important. Those inside animals still need their rabies shot. They still need their flea meds.

Christine Reed:

Okay, well, that's good to know. So I know I take Brody and you know he gets his update every few months and his little checkup and stuff, so but I don't think we've ever done that.

Brandi Perky:

It's really nice. Like I said, I haven't had any issues putting it on mine, and to know that I only have to do it every three months instead of every month is good.

Christine Reed:

So I know you probably have a lot of people that come to the animal shelter to see the dogs and the cats and, you know, just on a whim maybe, oh, we would just like to. You know we think we might adopt a pet. So what would be some advice that you would give to folks out there that maybe they've never been a pet owner or maybe they had a pet when they were growing up or something. So what would be some good guidelines that you would recommend?

Brandi Perky:

Well, it is a life commitment. You know animals can live, you know, 10, 16, 20, some years, you know. So we get people that will come in and want a puppy and it's like, do you understand? You know this is again a toddler for life, you know. So I make sure they understand that. Come and play with them. You know we're an open shelter. When we're, you know, there for the day, come and get the animal out, take them out to the play yard, really get to know them. You don't have to make the decision the same day. We've got people that will come two or three times to meet that same animal just to get the vibe of the you know the animal, to see how they're gonna do, understanding that when you come to an animal shelter, you know these dogs are in kennels, cats are in kennels. They need time to decompress when they get home. Meaning you know they may go home and they may sleep for a few days and then they're wide open and then they may sleep for a few days.

Brandi Perky:

You know the shelter is a stressful environment for them. We try to get them out two or three times today, but again trying to get them home and get them acclimated into your schedule, kind of say. Like you know, you're starting work for the first time. The first few weeks are just crazy because you're trying to get a routine down. Animals think the same way we do. They're trying to get a routine down.

Christine Reed:

Mm.

Brandi Perky:

Another thing is that you know veterinarian care. When they're younger they don't need as much veterinarian care. They need that yearly checkup, that flea meds, those type of things. As they get older you're going to have more costs with them, so make sure you know you're ready for that when they're seniors. Unfortunately, the animal shelters have a lot of seniors that come to. You know the shelter.

Christine Reed:

They can't afford their vet care.

Brandi Perky:

They just don't know what to do. You know, we try to help with those things, but sometimes, you know, as seniors, it's just hard to be able to afford them anymore.

Christine Reed:

Yes, and the one thing I've learned about, too, is the dental health of your pet. So Brody had his teeth cleaned for the first time last year. He was eight years old. I was very nervous about having him because they put them to sleep, yes, right, and I was so nervous about that, but he actually did great. So I mean, that's something that people probably don't even think about is to have their teeth cleaned.

Brandi Perky:

And if you haven't done, you know when they start about five or six, and just get used, get them used to having it done. They're not going to have as many problems when they're older, because if you wait, you know when they're 12, 13 years old they're going to have to have more teeth pulled. It's kind of like us, I mean, if we don't go to the dentist we're going to lose our teeth and then how are we?

Brandi Perky:

going to eat and, you know, enjoy the foods that we like. So same thing with them. They wouldn't be able to eat their hard foods anymore. So, like humans, we got to keep up with their dental as well.

Christine Reed:

Yes, and that's that's important. I think a lot of people don't even think about that for their pet. You know so, but I know that is so. How would someone get in touch with with you guys? What's the website? Is there a phone number? I mean if they're interested or when they want to come and look at the animals or maybe do a donation. What would you suggest?

Brandi Perky:

So we're in Bluntful. So at 380 Massing Hill Road, Bluntful, Tennessee. So, we're right behind the jail, not too far from Powell's. Everybody knows where Powell's at.

Christine Reed:

We all love Powell's. Now, that's the other thing that's that's unique to East Tennessee is Powell's yes.

Brandi Perky:

Yes, not many of those. We have actually ladies that come from UT to do surgeries. They love their Cheddar rounds, so we go get them Cheddar rounds for them to have when they're first there, because they don't have that up there. So good fact, when you come down here, you got to stop at Powell's and get some Cheddar rounds.

Christine Reed:

Absolutely. I love those Cheddar rounds. They don't love me, though. Definitely.

Brandi Perky:

Our phone number is 423-279-2741. Our website is the animal shelter slash solving Countyorg. We keep up with our Facebook page more and so that's the animal shelter of Sullivan County. Okay, we post all the available animals up there, we post the events that we're having, we post the lost animals up there. So there's a lot of interaction that goes on on our Facebook page. Okay, and again, just simply coming up. You know we're there every day, except for Thursday and Sunday, from 1230 to 530. So you can come and play with them, find your best friend, you can come volunteer. So if you just want to come walk dogs, cuddle kittens, help with events. So we have volunteers that don't necessarily want to come to the shelter. They think it's too heartbreaking. So, going to the events and helping getting some of them adopted or just doing an education, you know, really. You know, push out our programs, let them know what the animal shelter is about and everything that we have to offer.

Christine Reed:

So you were talking about events, and so do you have any events coming up, brandy?

Brandi Perky:

We have a few. There's a national night out in Bristol where they put that together for the kids going back to school. They'll have multiple vendors come out. We normally take a dog and a couple cats with us. Education stuff, take little giddy bags for the kids. They love their little coloring pages and we do a lot of events at PetSmart. But exit seven.

Christine Reed:

Okay.

Brandi Perky:

So we've got a volunteer that goes up there. We have about 10 kittens. We call her the kitten whisper. She takes these kittens and they're all adopted and it's amazing how many she can get adopted in a weekend. She just, you know, loving on them, telling them about them. She's really strong about spaying neuters. So if you don't have animal spayed and neutered, you're going to hear all about it. So you know she'll, she'll let you know.

Christine Reed:

So if, if, if someone adopts a dog or a cat from your shelter, what can they expect? As far as are they spayed or they neutered? What do they have?

Brandi Perky:

I'm glad you asked. So everybody at our shelter is fixed before they're allowed to leave. We do not allow anyone to leave unaltered. We want to be the solution to the problem.

Brandi Perky:

If I let unaltered animals go. They're going to be out here populating and I'm you know I'm I'm making more of an issue for our shelter. They have all their vaccines. They'll have a microchip. They'll have flea meds. A dog will actually have a heartworm test. We'll have a heartworm preventative. They're Giardia fecal, which is just their parasites. If they've had any of that, they're being treated for that. So they're getting a perfectly healthy animal from us. You're not having to worry about having to take it to the bed, you know. Or again, just following up on that flea meds, that monthly heartworm meds, I will say before I started the shelter I didn't understand how important heartworm is. I didn't realize it was a thing in our area. Well, if you don't test for it, you're not going to know it's out there. So we have a full IDEX lab in our in our shelter. So we're able to test.

Brandi Perky:

everybody for that started seeing a lot of positive Um, so that's where we're like okay, so we actually offer that for the community as well. Um, again, you don't know that you're. It's not something you're going to see in your dog. Um, it's just got to be tested for.

Christine Reed:

So so what are? What are some? Tell us a little bit more about heartworms. I mean, I know every month I give Brody, uh, his heartworm medicine. So why is it? Why is it so important?

Brandi Perky:

Well, heartworms is more of that. Um, for you know, getting the heart is it's. It's crazy If you don't watch a video. Um, it's crazy to see all the worms that are around the, the, around the heart it just helps, it slows them down. That is that inside parasite, so kind of like hooks and um whips and tape worms. There is medicine for that and just making sure that's staying, you know, treated and it's, it could be deadly.

Christine Reed:

So, yes, okay, and so so, when they adopt, uh animal, it's, you know, unlike the myth you know I've heard before in years past oh, be careful If the animal shelter you'll get a sick dog. But that's not the case anymore, is it?

Brandi Perky:

No, if they have, um like, said, anything that we can treat for, um, we're treating for it. Um, we parvo test the puppies on intake. Um, so if that, if they have that, they're being sent out to the vet, um and to a quarantine to be treated. Um, we don't treat parvo or pan Luke. Um, so pan Luke is like parvo and cats, um, we'll send that to the vet to be treated. Because animal shelters there's so many animals in this bed pretty rapidly Um. So again, if it has parasites, um, anything like that, we're making sure they're given the correct medicine, upper respiratory, um, you know, cats with movement, they can break with us for upper respiratory pretty quickly. Um, so we try to keep them moved into adoptions and things, so they're getting into their forever homes. But if they do have upper respiratory at the shelter, they're being treated for it. So we just try to treat for everything that they can.

Christine Reed:

But we can. Okay. So, um, if I, if I come there and I want to adopt, um, what's the process, brandy? What do I? What would I need to do?

Brandi Perky:

Well, we want everybody to meet them before um, before they adopt Um. So when you come in and you say that's all right, um, if you say um, are you not looking for my forever friend? And we'll tell you to go back there in the kennels and, you know, look and see what you can find Um, you'll let some of our staff know who you want to get out we want you to get out and play with. On, make sure it's the right pet for you. We do have an application process, so this just goes, you know, over your basic information.

Brandi Perky:

Why do you want a pet? Um? Do you have a fenced in yard? That's not a requirement for us, but we do have a few dogs that we're like he would. You know they would really benefit from a fenced in yard, um, and so we'll kind of look at that Um. Check your vet references If you've had those before um, if you have any animals unaltered you know we don't adopt and if you have animals that are um, that are unaltered, unless it's a medical reasoning that they're unaltered, again, we want to make sure we're the solution, not not so much the problem.

Brandi Perky:

Um but it all can be done in the same day. Now, if you're looking at a pet that's not been fixed yet, um, that's okay, you can still adopt that pet. Um, it just can't leave until you know it's altered. We do surgeries about two to three days a week at our shelter, um, so it's normally the next day or the day after. Um, you can take them home. Oh wow.

Christine Reed:

Well, that is great information. So what would be some of the you know, any comments or thoughts that you would like to leave us with? Brandy, I mean, I really appreciate you being here. We've you've shared some great information and I just love what you guys are doing there at Sullivan County animal shelter and your passion for uh wanting to take care of these uh animals and just taking care of them in the right way and giving them as much love um until they are adopted into a loving home. So what would be some some ending comments or thoughts you would like to share?

Brandi Perky:

Well, I appreciate you having me. Um, and you know, you know we strive at the animal shelter, um, to make sure you know we're taking care of the homeless, but to be an at community outreach shelter. Um, again, the community wants to do the right thing A lot of them. We just need to help be that stepping stone for them. Um, if you've got some extra time and come and volunteer with us. Um, we're always needing volunteers. Um, I love having the community involved. Um, if you're a family with kids, I know sometimes, um, they're afraid to come because they feel like their kids are going to be in the way not necessarily.

Brandi Perky:

I mean that's teaching them to be a good pet owner as well. Um, we talked about my boys. Um, my nine year old comes in plays with the animals. Um, I will, you know, bring the dogs out for him. He'll play with him. I'll get some pictures and videos. He loves cuddling kittens.

Brandi Perky:

Um, he's an animal lover like me and I'll say he'll probably have a house full when he's you know older, Um, but again, just teaching your kids that it's okay to love animals, Um, treat them right, Um. I'm hoping to get into some schools as well to start, you know, discussing some of that as well.

Christine Reed:

But yeah, there's, there's plenty of opportunities for everybody Mm, hmm, that would be awesome to be able to get into the schools. I know, in the hospital I'm a nurse by trade and I know we used to have the therapy pets that would come in. Mm, hmm, um, and I know there's just lots of studies out there that that you know having a pet makes you happy. It does. Yeah, I mean it can lower your blood pressure and lower anxiety levels and I just, you know, just having that pet, um, and I know there's a lot of therapy pets that you know, people that that raise animals to be that seeing our dog or from a soldier that's come back with PTSD, that needs that pet, that companion, and um, it's just amazing.

Christine Reed:

Animals are just amazing, amazing creatures and how much they contribute and add to our lives. I agree, yeah, well, randy, um, it's been such a pleasure to get to know you and and you being here today and I love what you're doing there at the animal shelter. Keep up the great work and, um, I hope that from this message today, you get lots of volunteers. Yeah, I appreciate you guys. All right, thank you, thank you.

Speaker 1:

This has been benchmark happenings, brought to you by Jonathan Tipton and Steve Reed from benchmark home loans. Jonathan and Steve are residential mortgage lenders. They do home loans in Northeast Tennessee and they're not only licensed in Tennessee but Florida, georgia, south Carolina and Virginia. We hope you've enjoyed the show. If you did, make sure to like rate and review. Our passion is Northeast Tennessee, so if you have questions about mortgages, call us at 423-491-5405. And the website is wwwjonathannstevecom. Thanks for being with us and we'll see you next time on benchmark happenings.

People on this episode

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Christine Reed

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Jonathan Tipton

Co-host
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Steve Reed

Co-host