"The regularity of that wagging tail and the unconditional affection of your pets bring you instantly out of isolation - you stop rattling around inside your own head, and focus on what they give you - simply and for free."
- Dr. Marty Becker
The Healing Power of Pets

Enter the doors of A Step In The Right Direction, and the joyous pets of women in recovery will greet you. Our pets truly enrich our home life here and give us a sense of purpose. They bring out our nurturing instinct. They also make us feel safe and unconditionally accepted as we are learning how to live sober and rebuild our lives. Pets somehow make us feel as though we could conquer anything and make the impossible be possible. Linda Ruzich, founder and director of A Step In The Right Direction profoundly understands the needs of new women coming into sobriety and the therapeutic nature of having pets in our environment.

Deb M. "My cat Bella is a part of my family. Leaving her to go into sober living did not seem like an option. I spoke with Linda Ruzich and was so grateful that she said I could bring Bella with me on my new journey into recovery. I now have 9 months of sobriety and Bella and I consider A Step In The Right Direction our home."

Trish D. completed treatment at Hazelton; then traveled to A Step In The Right Direction with her Maltese "Gracie" in tow. "I couldn't make it without Gracie - she's everything to me," says Trish. "I searched for a sober living home with her in mind." "Everybody loves Gracie here. She adds to the amazing connection I have with all the women in our home."

Cathy S. lives at A Step In The Right Direction with "Madison" her Jack Russell terrier. "I honestly don't think I could have remained sober without her," says Cathy. "She provides me with unconditional love and has been a source of joy for all of the women here."