Lending Paws A Hand (LPAH) began with one dog and one woman who simply could not walk away.

In November 2012, Mary Ashburn stopped to help a large white dog who had been abandoned on the side of the road. After he was turned over to the Lee County Animal Shelter, Mary followed his story and, when another rescue changed its mind about taking him, she went back and adopted him. His name was Luke.

A few months later, Mary saw a dog named Van Gogh on the shelter website. She desperately wanted to save him, but by the time she reached the shelter, he had been euthanized. That loss changed the course of her life. Mary knew she needed to do more.

In 2013, Mary founded Lending Paws A Hand with a mission to help animals in need while promoting responsible pet ownership and supporting the Lee County community.

Her husband, Ed, was by her side from the beginning. Together, they transported animals, worked with rescue partners, supported fosters and adopters, responded to community calls for help, and helped countless dogs and cats find loving homes.