Content courtesy of Emily Holland, executive director of Animal Harbor
IT WASN’T until later in life that Skip Nielsen and his wife, Helga, felt the rescue bug bite hard. In 2021, they made a simple yet life-changing decision: adopting their first rescue pup, Molly. She was an unwanted, fluffy black puppy, and from the moment they brought her home, something shifted.
They quickly realized the incredible impact of opening their hearts and home to an animal in need. That single decision led them to a family they never expected: Animal Harbor.
At the time, Skip was unaware of how neglected animal welfare was in Franklin County. He was surprised to learn that only a small group of dedicated individuals were carrying out this lifesaving work without broad community support.
Inspired by the contagious passion of the Animal Harbor staff, Skip began volunteering as a dog walker. What started as a small role quickly grew into something much bigger. When he shared ideas with the executive director, she didn’t just listen. She invited him to take action. Soon, he was serving on multiple committees, then on the board of directors, and eventually, he had the honor of serving as president. For Skip, titles were never the point — what mattered most was the impact made together, side by side, for the animals.
The epic road trip to transport a long-term resident to her new home in Minnesota was a reminder of the incredible journeys taken — not just for the animals, but for the volunteers themselves.
Animal Harbor isn’t just a shelter: it’s a family. It’s a community of people with open hearts and willing hands, coming together to make a difference. Everyone has something to give.
Skip says, “For Helga and me, joining the mission at Animal Harbor changed our lives. It gave us purpose, friendships, and the joy of knowing we are part of something bigger than ourselves. And if you’re looking for a way to make a difference, I promise you — there’s a place for you here, too.” GN
To learn more about Animal Harbor and how you can get involved, visit www.animalharbor.org. Animal Harbor provides pet adoptions, spay and neuter services, community outreach, fostering, and volunteer opportunities. You can reach them by phone at (931) 962-4472 or by email at executivedirector@animalharbor.org. Whether you choose to adopt, volunteer, donate, or spread the word, every effort helps give animals in need a second chance.
