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Written by: E. George
Published July 15, 2024 @ 1:30 PM ET
BARROW COUNTY, Ga. – Thanks to canine behavior counselor Penny Miller and her husband Peter, countless abandoned senior dogs have and continue to experience royal treatment before their journeys end. The Millers run a holistic senior dog sanctuary in Winder, Georgia, on a 12-acre ranch that has become the permanent home for canines in need.
Frankie and Andy’s Place was made possible by the couple’s friends, sisters Krystle and Penny Andrews, who helped purchase the large plot of land. The team became partners and established the charity, naming it and the sanctuary after the Andrews’ dogs.
They initially expected to house five or six dogs and built a small cabin featuring numerous leather chairs, comfortable beds, and a moderately sized fenced-in yard. Soon after their grand opening in 2016, they realized they needed more buildings.
The sanctuary added two more cabins, which include whirlpool baths and rubber nonslip flooring, and currently houses approximately 32 dogs grouped by size. Penny, 11 paid employees, and 44 volunteers provide care for the pets, including fresh, home-cooked meals.
The aging dogs visit the veterinary office for evaluation and treatment and enjoy massage therapy and chiropractic appointments to help relieve their aches and pains.
Penny stated, “I wanted those dogs who had been cast aside by their owners and dumped at the shelter to have their best life.” Her family moved to America from Great Britain two decades ago, and as she started volunteering at shelters, she saw that potential owners would overlook the older dogs.
She recalled, “It used to kill me, and it set me on a crusade to change that story.”
Kathie White, a volunteer from Lawrenceville, said, “These dogs couldn’t be any better cared for if they were in private homes.”
The organization continued to expand and now offers three outreach programs free of charge, including supplying pet food to owners in need, Senior Solutions, which provides advice and guidance regarding aging dogs, and sanctuary dog therapy visits. Penny explained that the therapy visits at places like the Winder Adult Day Health Center, nearby schools, and senior living facilities not only offer the individuals comfort but also provide the pets with comfort, joy, and a purpose.
Penny said, “What started as an effort to save a few little dogs now is huge. Everything grew organically, but the core of it all is the hospice sanctuary.
We absolutely love doing what we do and feel very, very blessed to be able to do this. Not many people get to live their dream, but we do.”
The Millers support the nonprofit through grants, fundraisers, and books written by Penny.
Frankie and Andy’s Place only accepts dogs from state-licensed 501c3 shelters and rescue organizations and does not adopt out animals. The habitat does not accept owner-surrendered canines or those undergoing re-homing.
For more information, visit frankieandandysplace.org.