Building Bridges: Education & Food Programs for Dogs, Families & Communities in Guatemala and New York.

For nearly a decade, I’ve walked the streets of Guatemala, Mexico, and New York with one mission: to rescue dogs, to heal them, and to show families that a dog can become so much more than a pet — a partner, a teacher, and a piece of the family’s heart.

The Mayan Dog Rescue Foundation was born out of this mission. We’ve saved thousands of dogs — from feral street pups to high-end “unwanted” dogs — and helped families learn how to build balance with them. But rescue alone isn’t enough.

To truly break the cycle, we need to go deeper. That’s why we’re building two Education Centers — one in Guatemala, one in New York — that combine dog rescue, family education, bi-lingual considerations, and food programs that nourish entire communities.

Our fundraising goal is $1,000,000. This isn’t just about buildings. It’s about building a future — a future where dogs, families, and communities thrive together.

Why We’re Building These Centers

* In Guatemala, families often don’t have the resources to feed themselves, let alone their dogs. Dogs are abandoned, children grow up without guidance on compassion or animal care, and communities struggle.

* In New York, families often have the resources but lack the knowledge. They adopt or buy dogs that don’t fit their lifestyle. They struggle with behavior issues, stress, and imbalance. Kids are rarely taught how to safely and lovingly interact with dogs.

We’ve seen the same truth in both places: healthy dogs, healthy families, and healthy communities all grow from the same soil — food, education, and compassion.

The Vision

Guatemala Education Center

• Rescue, rehabilitation, and spay/neuter programs.

• Education for children and families on dog care and community responsibility.

• Food & Garden Program: teaching families to plant, grow, and harvest food. Creating seed banks and shared gardens that feed both people and rescue dogs.

• Dormitory space for volunteers and visiting educators.

• A safe place where children can learn kindness, responsibility, and the power of caring for another life.

  New York Education Center

• State-of-the-art training and family workshops.

• Programs for children: “Growing With Dogs” — teaching respect, empathy, and responsibility through hands-on lessons with animals and gardens.

• Indoor/outdoor training areas for dogs, families, and community classes.

• Food-based programs that show families how to grow fresh food, prepare healthy meals, and create balance between nature, animals, and family life.

• Expanded capacity for boarding, rehabilitation, and family-dog training retreats.

Why Education + Food, Not Just Rescue

Rescue saves lives, but education and nourishment change futures. A rescued dog can’t thrive if the family doesn’t understand them. A hungry family can’t properly care for their dog. A child without guidance repeats the same mistakes.

By teaching both dog care and food growing, these centers will empower families to build healthier homes and communities. We’re planting seeds — literally and figuratively — for generations to come.

What $1,000,000 Will Build

Guatemala Center:

• Land purchase and development.

• Classrooms, rescue facilities, spay/neuter clinic.

• Garden infrastructure: raised beds, irrigation, and seed banks.

• Community dormitories for volunteers and vets.

• Education programs for children and families.

New York Center:

• Facility purchase/renovation.

• Indoor/outdoor training and boarding areas.

• Garden and teaching kitchen for workshops and family programs.

• Family-dog training retreats and youth education programs.

• Programs & Staff: trainers, educators, rescue coordinators, and food sustainability experts in both countries.

The Impact

• Dogs: Tens of thousands rescued, rehabilitated, trained, and rehomed over the next decade.

• Families: Gaining tools to raise both children and dogs with love, patience, and balance.

• Communities: Breaking cycles of neglect, hunger, and misunderstanding through education and nourishment.

• Legacy: “Your pack’s story is your legacy.” These centers will ensure that legacy continues — across borders, cultures, and generations.

How You Can Help?

We can’t build this without you. Every dollar goes toward laying the foundation — not just of buildings, but of a new way forward: one where families, dogs, and communities grow strong together.

$50 plants a seed bed for a family garden.


$100 supports spay/neuter surgery for a dog in Guatemala.


$500 builds classrooms for children’s programs.


$1,000 sponsors training programs for families in New York.
$5,000+ builds lasting infrastructure that transforms lives in both countries.

When you donate, you’re not just giving money — you’re giving hope, food, and a future.

Thank you for helping us plant the seeds of compassion, education, and nourishment — for dogs, for families, and for the world.