Sometimes, fate has a way of bringing people to the right place at the right time. That’s exactly what happened when Aaron Jackson, the founder of the charity organization Planting Peace, arrived at the Poland-Ukraine border to provide aid.
Jackson had been following the devastating news of the Ukraine crisis when he read an article about refugees stranded in freezing conditions at a train station. The story struck a chord with him, and within hours, he booked a flight and was on his way to help.
Initially, Jackson didn’t expect to focus on refugees with pets. However, upon his arrival, he quickly realized the overwhelming challenge families faced in finding shelter that would accommodate their beloved animals.
“Over 2 million people have fled Ukraine, and most are crossing into Poland,” Jackson explained. “Finding housing is already incredibly difficult, and it becomes even more complicated when people have pets, as many places don’t allow animals.”
Determined to keep families and their pets together, Jackson and his team began identifying those in need of pet-friendly housing. It was during a visit to a local animal shelter that he found himself in the right place once again.
While speaking with the shelter’s director outside, a Ukrainian family approached, accompanied by their beautiful cocker spaniel, Bella. The family was heartbroken as they prepared to surrender Bella to the shelter, believing they had no other choice. Without a home, they feared for their dog’s well-being in the harsh cold.
As the shelter director explained the situation, Jackson immediately sprang into action. Within just 20 minutes, he had arranged pet-friendly housing for the family, ensuring they could stay together.
The relief and joy on their faces were unmistakable—especially Bella’s, whose tail wagged uncontrollably as if she knew her family wasn’t going to leave her behind.
“It was truly amazing how everything fell into place,” Jackson said, reflecting on the serendipitous moment that allowed him to help the family stay together in their time of need.
