DeepSummary
Lee Asher, an animal rescuer and sanctuary owner, discusses his journey from feeling like an outcast as a child to finding purpose in saving animals from shelters. Despite facing challenges like scoliosis and learning disabilities, Lee found solace in spending time at animal shelters, which ultimately led him to start fostering and adopting dogs. He talks about the special bond between humans and dogs, and how opening himself up to that connection helped him overcome depression and suicidal thoughts.
In 2017, Lee started a social media campaign to showcase adoptable dogs from shelters and change the negative perception surrounding shelter animals. This led to the idea of traveling across the country in an RV to promote pet adoption and highlight shelters. Lee shares the struggles and successes of his RV tour, including adopting out thousands of dogs and inspiring people worldwide to rescue pets.
After the COVID-19 pandemic halted his RV tour, Lee saw it as a sign to take the next step and open a sanctuary. He now runs the Asher House, a 240-acre sanctuary in Oregon, housing various animals like dogs, cats, parrots, pigs, and alpacas. Lee emphasizes the importance of resilience, finding purpose through service, and constantly working to better oneself and the world around you.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The special bond between humans and dogs can provide purpose, comfort, and resilience in difficult times.
- Finding your purpose through acts of service and creation is essential for living a fulfilling life.
- Overcoming challenges like depression and bullying requires self-reflection, resilience, and a positive mindset.
- Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting positive causes like animal rescue and adoption.
- Transitioning to a life focused on one's passions and purpose may involve taking risks and facing struggles, but can ultimately lead to greater fulfillment.
- Connecting with animals on a deeper level and truly believing in that connection can create a powerful bond.
- The animal rescue community faces challenges with negative perceptions and the need for better leadership and representation.
- Adopting from shelters not only saves animals but also provides an opportunity for a strong human-animal bond and personal growth.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “If you're doing anything other than that, you're just pushing yourself backwards. No one is here to hate. No one is here to troll. We are all born to be creators.“ by Lee Asher
- “You have to be able to have very important conversations with yourself that separate you from the situation at hand.“ by Lee Asher
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Episode Information
All About Change
Jay Ruderman
6/24/24
Lee Asher is known for his positive presence. Visit the Asher House page and you'll be met with countless videos of Lee greeting animals getting a second chance at his Oregon sanctuary. But Lee's struggles with mental health don't often get the same spotlight.
Lee joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about the importance of pet adoption, resilience, and what it took to go from a 9 to 5 to running a 240-acre animal sanctuary. The two also discuss Lee's long road with depression, and what changes he'd like to see in the animal rescue community
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