Pearl’s journey took her from being found alone in the Arizona desert to learning basic skills with incarcerated trainers—and then into a home that began as a holiday foster placement. Best Friends Animal Society’s account of the dog and the people around her is a story about second chances on both ends of the leash.
How Pearl went from the desert to a training program
According to Arin Greenwood’s July 1, 2026 feature for Best Friends Animal Society, Pearl was found alone in the Arizona desert. She later joined the first graduating class of Paws for Redemption, a prison program run by One Love AZ.
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In the program, incarcerated team members cared for and trained shelter dogs. Pearl’s goals included walking nicely on a leash and learning basic cues such as “sit” and “down.” The program lasts three months, as described in the feature.
From holiday foster to adopted family member
Jess Siegfried and her husband initially agreed to foster Pearl for a holiday weekend. Siegfried recalled that Pearl was frightened by ordinary features of home life, including ceiling fans and televisions—experiences that were new to her. The couple went on to adopt her.
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The feature later describes Pearl as outgoing and expressive. She still dislikes fireworks, and she has returned to visit the people who trained her in prison. Siegfried reflected on the bond that grew between them: “As it turns out, we needed her just as much.”
Why Pearl’s story mattered to her trainers
One Love AZ founder and executive director Lindsey Blazevich described the organization’s approach as “Changing lives on both ends of the leash.” In the feature, Blazevich also said Pearl gave her training team a reason to believe in second chances, including their own.
The account describes the Shelter Dog Project as providing enrichment, such as toys and treats, medical care, and other support to pit bull terrier-type dogs in municipal shelters. It does not name products used with Pearl or establish program-wide adoption or training outcomes. Her experience is one individual story, not a measure of what every dog or participant will experience.
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Fostering and adoption are different commitments
Pearl’s path included both: her adopters first took her in as a holiday foster, then made a lasting commitment. For someone considering helping a shelter dog, the distinction is practical:
| Choice | Commitment | Intended outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Fostering | A temporary home while the shelter or rescue arranges next steps; duration and responsibilities vary by organization. | Provide care and a home environment without necessarily adopting the dog. |
| Adoption | A long-term commitment to the dog’s care. | Make the dog a permanent member of the household. |
Local shelter and rescue procedures differ, so ask the organization about the expected timeframe, care responsibilities, and what happens if a foster placement does not become an adoption. Pearl’s story illustrates one foster-to-adopt outcome; it does not describe a universal process.
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