Denali，Gentle Pit Bull Mix Who Survived Against All Odds，Named Safe Havens for Pets Ambassador

Washington，DC—On Valentine’s Day，the Animal Welfare Institute（AWI）is proud to name Denali，anAmerican Staffordshire terrier mix with an unshakeable loving spirit，as the inaugural ambassador for theSafe Havens for Pets程序设计。

AWI works to spread awareness about thelink between animal cruelty andinterpersonal violence单击功能区上，while providing resources for domestic violence survivors，advocates，and social services professionals。安全Havens for Pets offersaone-of-a-kind，searchable database of sheltering services that can help individuals who are experiencing domestic violence seek safety for themselves and their companion animals。

In2018，Denali was reportedly拖曳，拖曳in a horrific act of retaliation in connection with a domestic dispute.The dog’s then-owner poured a chemical accelerant on Denali（her estranged husband’s favorite dog）and another dog，locked them in cages，and set the Tampa-area house on fire。

By the time firefighters could rescue Denali from the flames，she had sustained third-degree burns on more than35%of her body.The other dog，Esco，survived with less severe injuries.The owner was later sentenced to eight years in prison。

Karey Burek，an animal care technician and volunter with Suncoast Animal League in Palm Harbor，Florida，drove a crying，terrified Denali to the hospital.There，Denali spent more than two weeks in the intensive care unit fighting for her life，followed by two more months wraed bandages。

Buoyed by an outpouring of community support，Denali not only survived—she thrived。

Denali was adopted by Burek and is now a certified therapy dog.She visits shelters and children’s hospitals to provide comfort and encourage resilence among domestic violence survivors and young burn victims.Shestill displays scars on her brindle-colord coat，yet the ight-year-year displays scars heents ing new people， 焊接浮桥和上下压力@denalisnewlife，and demonstrates the healing power of the human-animal bond

Asa Safe Havens ambassador，Denali will be regularly featured on social media@safehavens4petsand in future humane education programs

“A symbol of strength and bravery，Denali brings awareness to the plight of abused animals and serves asan inspiration to survivors of interpersonal violence，“said Claire Coughlin，Coordinator of AWI’s Animals&Interpersonal Violence Program.“We are thrilled to introduce her as the new face of Safe Havens for Pets.”