She has a heart to rescue dogs.
“I always wanted to be in the animal world in some way. I had my first dog when I was approximately 5 or 6 and I’ve had either Irish setters or collies all my life,” said Sharon Goodburn.
Like many who grew up in the ’50s and ’60s, “Lassie” influenced Goodburn to raise collies.
“I would find stray dogs and try to find their owners,” she said.
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“I enjoyed grooming them and bringing them to their full beauty. You could see the transition in them when they were freshly groomed to their full beauty! It just seemed so natural to me to help those animals in need.”
Today, Goodburn is the founder and director of nonprofit Tri-State Collie Rescue.
“We started the rescue in two counties, Franklin and Licking,” she said. “We rescued 17 collies the first year. We now help 100-plus. This year has been exceptionally busy with over 112 in 11 states, so far.”
That’s in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia, as well as Ohio.
Goodburn helps with the intakes
“I make sure all the medical needs are met, which could include broken legs, heartworm treatment, heart surgery, whatever might be needed to save and help the rescue. Plus, we make sure all vaccines are current and all rescues are spayed or neutered. We also supply our fosters with any heartworm and tick prevention,” she said.
“Our rescues are primarily vetted in Powell and Hilliard, and then to foster homes, which might be in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, etc., so they can be taught how to be pets and trust humans again. Then they’re adopted from those homes. Our goal is to give our dogs a new lease on life, one at a time.”
Goodburn grew up in Clintonville and graduated from North High School. In time, she started a kennel and Tri-State Collie Rescue.
“I had always dreamed of owning and raising my own collies,” she said. “And I was able to do that once my family was older. I did show and breed collies for approximately 15 years, which helped me know more about the health and habits of the breed. I found rescuing the breed was much more fulfilling than breeding and/or showing them. There was a need!”
Over the years, the organization has rescued more than 5,000 dogs. It now has more than 100 volunteers.
“Things have progressed immensely since 1983, when all of this started,” said Goodburn.
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Of the additional workers, Jill Fredrickson is vice president and transport coordinator at Tri-State Collie Rescue.
“Sharon has an incredible amount of passion for the breed, and it shows in her work,” said Fredrickson.
“She works tirelessly seven days a week to help collies in need. She will do everything in her power to save as many as she can and provide them with top-notch medical care, fostering and wonderful new homes. We’re beyond fortunate to have her as our director to guide us through the difficult work of rescue!”
“I always felt I was supposed to be doing exactly what I’m doing,” said Goodburn.
“My main concern has always been about the rescue. And when you see the rescue with its new family and hear how things are progressing for them, it’s happiness to the fullest.”
Drew Bracken grew up in Upper Arlington, was a TV news anchor for years and is a longtime freelance writer for Gannett newspapers. If you have a suggestion for a future inspirational profile, email Emily Rohozen, entertainment and things-to-do editor, at erohozen@gannett.com.
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