As many of you know, I've spent the last decade working in and around this field and this is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. Thrive provides 24/7 services to survivors of sexual and domestic violence in Merrimack County, including crisis counseling, safety planning, emergency shelter, hospital accompaniment, and legal and criminal justice support. In addition to my work, Paya, Thrive’s Chairpup of the Board and ambassador of our new Paws for Prevention initiative, is working hard to raise funds for critical work supporting survivors of domestic violence and awareness of the barriers that pets can present in safely leaving a dangerous situation. In New Hampshire, cruelty to animals is a domestic violence crime and Thrive advocates can help survivors and their pets with a safety plan.