In a quiet coastal town in Laguna Verde, Chile, a woman named Teresa Valdés turned what might have been an ordinary life into something extraordinary — not by planning it, but by following her heart. What began as helping a stray dog became a life’s work: transforming her home and property into a rescue sanctuary for abandoned dogs.
Today, her story is one of compassion, perseverance and the profound impact one person can have when she refuses to turn away from those in need.
Teresa’s journey started years ago, when she began helping dogs that wandered into her life looking for food, shelter or just a kind touch. At first, it was a few dogs here and there — the kind of stray animals many people notice but few act on.
In Teresa’s case, each dog she helped brought another through her gate, until her house and yard were filled with dogs who had nowhere else to go. As the number of rescues grew, so too did her sense of purpose.
Before long, Teresa found herself caring for dozens of dogs each day. Neighbors began dropping unwanted animals at her doorstep, and word spread through the community that her home had become a refuge.
At one point, she was responsible for nearly 190 dogs on her roughly 10,000‑square‑meter property — a remarkable scene of wagging tails, different breeds and the collective need for food, comfort and love.
It became clear that her efforts needed structure. Feeding, cleaning, medical care and shelter were all daily necessities, and managing nearly 200 dogs — some of whom were sick, injured, or traumatized — required more than open space and goodwill.
So Teresa began building an organized sanctuary with kennels, separate areas for feeding and rest, and a routine to keep the dogs safe and healthy. Over time, the sanctuary became more than a collection of animals under one roof — it blossomed into a community of second chances.
Every morning began early, with meals prepared and distributed, medical checks on the dogs that needed them most, and careful attention to those who struggled with fear or anxiety from past neglect. Some dogs had scars — physically or emotionally — from abandonment or rough years on the streets.
Others were simply overwhelmed by the sudden kindness and human contact after so much loneliness. Teresa and her handful of volunteers moved with patience and gentle care, knowing that trust had to be earned a little at a time.
Feeding such a large group of dogs wasn’t just a matter of quantity — it was about consistency and nutrition. Keeping the animals fed multiple times each day, ensuring they had clean water and warmth, and coordinating veterinary visits for vaccinations or treatment was a massive undertaking.
Much of Teresa’s time was spent not only caring for the dogs, but also securing support from the community: friends, local businesses and online supporters who contributed food, supplies and donations to keep the sanctuary running.
Still, the challenges were ongoing. Balancing the physical demands of the sanctuary with emotional ones — watching dogs recover from trauma, helping shy or fearful animals adapt, and celebrating the breakthroughs when a dog finally relaxed into trust — required resilience and heart.
For every dog that found a permanent home, there were others still waiting. Yet each small victory mattered, and Teresa greeted every wagging tail and playful bark as a sign of progress.
As the sanctuary grew, so did its reputation. People from surrounding areas began donating blankets, toys and medical supplies. Some came to volunteer their time, drawn by the atmosphere of love and hope that permeated the sanctuary. Even as the workload seemed endless, Teresa’s commitment never wavered.
She viewed the sanctuary not as a burden, but as a responsibility and a calling — a place where dogs no longer feared the world, but learned to trust again.
Teresa’s story serves as a powerful reminder that one person’s compassion can ripple outward, changing hundreds of lives in ways that can’t be measured by numbers alone. These are dogs who might have had no future — left to struggle on the streets, ignored or forgotten.
Through patience, determination and deep empathy, they were given not just shelter, but dignity.
In a world where so many animals are overlooked, Teresa’s sanctuary stands as a beacon of what’s possible when love isn’t limited by resources or circumstances.
Her home became a haven, not because it was designed to be one, but because it welcomed every dog that needed it.
Today, the sanctuary lives as proof that hope can be built one caring heart at a time.
