I walk because I've seen firsthand that the need always outstrips the resources available for survivors in New England. More recently, I've been honored to serve on the board of Thrive and seen how hard our leadership team and direct service staff work to support survivors in our community. WAM can lean silly with its focus on flamboyant footwear, but we use this event to shed light on the serious subject of domestic violence during DVAM (Domestic Violence Awareness Month). This year, Paya is in the running for the first ever Dog Boots Award. Paya & I would like to use this to bring awareness to a barrier that survivors face. Pets are often used by abusive partners to coerce and control within their relationship and pet ownership can cause barriers to safely leaving a relationship, especially when looking for alternative shelter or long term housing. In New Hampshire, animal abuse is a domestic violence crime. While it remains a barrier Thrive advocates are aware of this dynamic and can include your pet in your safety planning process.