Today we’d like to introduce you to Serenity Guzman.
Hi Serenity, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
It started off when I was younger, I used to rescue German Shepherds sight unseen from the Manhattan Shelter in New York. I wanted to give as many at risk dogs a second chance at life. I would rehabilitate them and rehome them, otherwise they would have been put down. I went to school for animal behavior and veterinary science but my dream was being a horse trainer. I did that for a while while casually rescuing both dogs and horses. Until I broke my tailbone 3 times and had to change profession. Since I was so used to working with dogs, rescues, and shelters for training I turned that into my career. Back in December I lost my house after being the caretaker for my 5 kids, 2 foster kids, my dad, and my grandmother who got dementia, oh and 9 dogs. I had to emergency place my kids with family, the foster kids went to a different family, and my dad is still homeless. I moved down to Dallas at first and tried working there but the training facility I worked for treated the animals very poorly. I was very depressed and having a mental crisis so they fired me when I asked for a mental break. I worked night to day doing doordash with the 2 dogs I was able to keep with me to be able to stay in a hotel until I was able to move down to south houston where I started up my training again under my own business. Now I focus on behavior modification and obedience for dogs. I still am struggling to keep up, I have a broken down car, I am about to lose my place to stay again, but my main focus will always be the dogs and my family that I am trying to get back.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Not during this past year as I mentioned in the prior question. I started in texas with nothing. I have lost my place to stay twice within a month, then had to move into a hotel, then a airbnb, and now the place I am renting is moving so I need to leave again in 2 months. I am working as much as I can while getting used to the texas heat just to have a head over my shoulders but it hasn’t been enough. I got to where I thought I was secure again and could start saving to get a place so my kids have a home again, now I am back to square one.
As you know, we’re big fans of SerenityK9s. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I mainly focus on Behavior Modification for dogs. Dogs saved my life more times than I can count between depression, agoraphobia, ptsd ect, that I wanted to make it my dream to open up a rehabilitation centre for dogs and families to have a second chance for a animal that loves unconditionally.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I struggled growing up, I never really knew who I was as a person. I had left my mom at 13, my dad was always in jail, I had my kids at 15, 18, 21, 24, and 27 so I was always focused on them. This year I am finally figuring out who I am as a person but it is definitely a struggle. I am very sensitive, empathic, and sympathetic. I have at more times than I can count have given my last dollar to those in need when I had nothing. I love to love basically. My kids, and animals, and my nana were my life.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61574894321899
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@serenityk9s
