Joy Unleashed

In 2007, Mary Eldergill, a volunteer member of Amigos de Los Animales (Friends of the Animals), discovered a group of newborn puppies on Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico. Mary rescued and rehabilitated them and, three months later, they flew to Newark, New Jersey, to be placed in their forever homes.

Jean Baur and her husband adopted one of Mary’s rescues—a dog named Bella—and opened her Pennsylvania home to her new best friend. Just as Jean enrolled Bella in certified therapy-dog classes, she lost her job at the age of sixty-five. This new work, visiting hospital patients with her therapy job, gave Jean hope and a new purpose in life.

After moving to Connecticut, Bella’s work expanded to nursing homes and elementary schools, as well as local hospitals and cancer centers. She met an Alzheimer’s patient who learned to smile again after Bella took a treat from her hand. She also befriended a six-year-old boy with autism (who previously held a deep fear of dogs) along with a disabled hospital patient who was withdrawn and uncommunicative until Bella jumped into the bed with him and coaxed him to open up again.

Jean and Bella’s journey into the world of therapy-dog work gave them a bright, new outlook—and has helped countless others overcome their own struggles—while proving to all that broken souls can, indeed, be healed.

Joy Unleashed is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the true power of the human-canine bond.

Jean Baur has published widely in both fiction and nonfiction, and is known for her keen observations, humor and direct style. Jean is a dynamic speaker and a member of the National Speakers Association, and Bella is very well behaved. Jean and Bella reside in Stonington, Connecticut.

Aimee Scott is a special education teacher with twenty years experience. She teaches at LEARN's intensive program in Old Lyme, Connecticut, and is known for her ability to connect with students with special needs. She loves her "cherubs." She and Jean and Bella worked together at Deans Mill School, Stonington, Connecticut, and Aimee resides in Waterford.

"This isn’t just another book about a dog and a person rescuing one another. It’s also about how, together, Jean Baur and her dog, Bella, find ever more creative ways to understand each other—and then share their beautiful gift with countless other people who so desperately need to smile." —Kim Kavin, national award-winning author of Little Boy Blue and The Dog Merchants

“This is a wonderful book full of hope and surprises, one of those rare literary treats that I can open anywhere, at any time, and simply feel better.” —Michael Morse, author of Mr. Wilson Makes It Home

“If Valentine's Day turns your thoughts to love, consider the part love plays in the story of Bella and Jean. . . . Without serendipity at some of life's hardest turns, all of the characters in this tale could have led quite different lives. As it is, they grew to become ripples in an ever-increasing circle of love."” — Best Friends Magazine